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The Oman American Business Council (OABC) had the privilege of presenting at the Global Chamber’s Globinar, highlighting Oman’s strategic position to an international audience of business and trade leaders.

We focused on introducing Oman as a key trade and investment partner, sharing promising opportunities across sectors such as mining, tourism, and energy. OABC CEO, Rebecca Olson, offered insights into the strong, longstanding Oman–U.S. relationship, underscored by one of only 20 U.S. Free Trade Agreements worldwide.

Issa Al-Raisi, OABC Trade & Investment Support Officer, spoke on Oman’s geographic and logistical advantages, particularly the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, the largest of its kind in the MENA region. Harshal Dutia, OABC Director of Trade & Investment, showcased the breadth of emerging opportunities across high-growth industries.

It was an honor to share Oman’s story with the The Global Chamber community and to strengthen OABC’s role in building meaningful connections for trade and investment.

Scan the QR code or visit our website for the full presentation – https://tinyurl.com/cpsb258k

At the beginning of the month we hosted “Unlock Your Career Potential Using LinkedIn” at Desk Park, Al Muzn Mall. Led by Stella Da Silva, an experienced International Trainer and Career Coach, the session focused on equipping our members with practical strategies to enhance their LinkedIn presence.

Attendees gained insights on optimizing profiles to improve search visibility, communicating authenticity while demonstrating unique value, building meaningful professional connections, and maintaining consistent engagement. The workshop also addressed the importance of balancing professionalism with an approachable, human touch.

Stella shared actionable guidance drawn from over 20 years of international experience supporting career development and employability initiatives. Our members left with clear strategies to strengthen their personal branding and networking effectiveness on LinkedIn.

Muscat, Oman – February – The Oman American Business Council (OABC) successfully
hosted an exclusive seminar on Venture Capital (VC) Deal Terms: US vs. UK vs. MENA,
bringing together industry leaders, investors, and legal experts for a deep dive into global
investment structures and their impact on the regional market.
Sponsored by FALC, the event featured keynote speaker Bradley Doline, Partner at Wilson
Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (WSGR), one of the world’s top law firms specializing in technology,
venture capital, and investment. Bradley shared valuable insights on the fundamental
differences between US and UK/European VC deal structures and how these models are being
adapted in MENA, particularly in Oman and the UAE, where standardized deal structures are
still evolving.

The seminar also featured a special session by FALC, providing an in-depth analysis of Oman’s
VC landscape, tracing its evolution from 2017 to 2023 and offering a forward-looking
perspective on the investment climate from 2024 onwards. The discussion highlighted key
market shifts, emerging investor trends, and the growing maturity of Oman’s venture ecosystem.
Rebecca Olson, CEO of OABC, welcomed attendees, emphasizing the significance of
knowledge-sharing and strategic discussions in fostering a robust investment environment in
Oman. “Venture capital is a driving force for innovation and economic diversification.
Understanding the nuances of deal structures and investment strategies is essential as Oman
continues to position itself as a thriving hub for startups and investors in the region,” she said.
Mohammed Al Mazrui, Corporate Associate at FALC, closed the session with an overview of
trends in Oman’s PE/VC sector, emphasizing the need for more systematic and organic
knowledge sharing. ‘There is a significant opportunity to enhance organic information sharing
within our tech ecosystem, enabling founders, funds, and other stakeholders to better connect
and access key information and to share best practices. Fostering a culture of open dialogue
and collaboration within the investment community will be instrumental in supporting the
continued growth and maturity of Oman’s tech ecosystem.” said Al Mazrui.

The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, as do all OABC informational events.

The Oman American Business Council (OABC) participated in a recent trade delegation led by H.E. Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, aimed at expanding commercial partnerships between Oman and the United States. During the visit, Rebecca Olson, CEO of OABC, attended key meetings with institutions such as the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona State University (ASU), and numerous private sector companies. OABC played a role in facilitating introductions in the aviation and aerospace sectors, while also engaging with companies from other industries to explore broader opportunities for collaboration.

The delegation, which engaged with a wide range of U.S. entities, focused on promoting strategic partnerships and exploring new opportunities for trade and investment between Oman and the U.S.

“We’re seeing more momentum now than ever before in utilizing the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement. The connections made during this delegation highlight the immense potential that remains to be unlocked, and OABC is one of the entities actively driving these conversations forward. With a strong foundation built over the years, we’re now entering a phase where opportunities for growth and collaboration are expanding rapidly, and we’re excited to explore the full scope of what’s possible,” said Rebecca Olson, CEO of OABC.

OABC remains committed to supporting its members by enhancing trade and investment opportunities, ensuring businesses on both sides benefit from the growing U.S.-Oman relationship.

On July 3rd, 2024, we had an incredible session exploring the world of client acquisition! In partnership withour Premium member @why_stories, we uncovered strategies to identify, reach, and engage niche audiences effectively.

A huge thank you to our guest speaker, @lubnaforzley, Founder and CEO of Stories, for sharing her invaluable insights and expertise. Her extensive experience with top brands like Coca-Cola, Google, and American Express truly enriched our discussion.

Here are some highlights:
– Proven techniques for targeting your niche audience
– Strategies for effective client engagement
– Real-world examples and success stories

We were thrilled with the participation and the engaging questions from our members.

We also want to extend our gratitude to @why_stories for gifting a 1-on-1 in-person coaching session to the participants. This exclusive opportunity allowed members to receive personalized guidance and actionable advice.

On June 23, 2024, OABC Premium members had an incredible time at the exclusive tour of the magnificent Mandarin Oriental, Muscat.
They were captivated by the stunning facilities, luxurious rooms, elegant outlets, and the welcoming, homey lobby. This property is truly exceptional!

The event was not just about exploring the beauty of the @mo_muscat, but also about building connections. Our members enjoyed networking over delicious canapés, all while taking in the magnifique view.

A huge thank you to @mo_muscat for their wonderful hospitality and making this event so special. Click here to see more.

On June 11, 2024, we tried something new by hosting our first-ever OABC Corporate Padel Challenge! The event was a perfect blend of fun, sport, and networking, with some fantastic prizes up for grabs.

Thank you to @alqurumsports for hosting us, managing the challenge, and providing winners’ prizes and medals. A huge shoutout to @crowneplazamuscat for the grand prizes. We are immensely grateful to @adcmuscat , @intercontinentalmuscat , and @europcar_oman for their amazing raffle draw prizes, which added great value to the event and excited all attendees.

Big congrats to our top teams: @frescooman (first place), @thefalcon_expeditions (runner up), NJP (Nicholson Jones Partnership Ltd) and Bait Al Qanoon (In third place). Everyone played well and most importantly, had a great time doing so.

It was a memorable day for everyone involved, and we are thrilled by the enthusiasm and participation of our members. We may have to do this again next year! Click here to see more.

On March 4th, our members enjoyed an amazing Tex-Mex Monday! A big thank you to everyone who joined us for this lively evening of networking and tacos. A heartfelt thank you to DCM Leslie Ordeman for graciously hosting us, and to all our sponsors who helped make this event possible. Read more.