OABC News

There was an air of intrigue and inspiration on the lawns of the Intercontinental Muscat as the OABC hosted the 2nd Annual Oman Sustainability Fair on February 28, 2023. This event was designed to bring the Oman community together to raise awareness and showcase local sustainable initiatives.

13 schools participated in this year’s event, together with SMEs, environmental groups and corporate entities. The highlight of the event was the high school competition which recognized students for efforts. The winners of the competition were:

Overall Winner – The Sultan’s School Eco Club – “Sustainable Agriculture”
Most Innovative Idea – British School Muscat – “MODA (Moisture Detecting Assistant)”
Best Presentation – Qurum Private School – “Zero Organic waste to Oman landfill Project (ZOOP)”
Most Practical Implementation – ABA Ecological Society (EcoSoc)

The competition was judged by a team of environmental experts, including Dr. Ali Akaak, board member of the Environment Society of Oman (ESO), Ulrich Emmer, Managing Director at Bauer Nimr and Elayna Locke, Marine Scientist, at Five Oceans Environmental Service.

Marla Valdez, OABC board member, who chaired the event, commented “it was truly inspiring to see the work done by the students, and it give us hope to see such passionate environmental champions”.

Fair visitors and participants spent the evening visiting the displays of the more than 25 participants while enjoying the music of Move Green.

The annual conference which welcomed AmCham board members, leadership teams and members from around the region, showcased opportunities for inter-regional cooperation and investments in specific sectors that have been advanced by the health crisis, as well as highlighting the important issues of economic diversity and sustainable development.

Industry leaders and senior government officials from the region and the U.S. addressed critical topics as advancing climate positive policies, renewable energy, decarbonization, financing green transition and advancing innovation in agriculture and water resources management.

The 1.5-day conference brought for numerous networking opportunities with AmCham representatives from Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Palestine, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Tunisia. Attendees enjoyed a special preview of the Grand Egyptian Museum followed by a gala reception. They also had a private tour of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The conference’s host and current AmCham MENA chair, produced a special report for the conference, MENA- U.S. Trade and Investment Report, Accelerating Green Investments in the MENA region, OABC members can access the report here.

AmCham Oman recently held a “Lunch & Learn” session entitled Debt Collection Disputes – a Legal Perspective at the Grand Hyatt Muscat on February 22, 2023.

This session was hosted by the team at ALC Lawyers & Counsels. ALC founder, Abdulredha Al Lawati, and Alaa Nizam, Head of Litigation, took our members through a thorough discussion of how debt effects everyone. They also covered the pros and cons on various approaches of settling debt collection in Oman through: amicable settlement, mediation, arbitration, and local judicial methods.

If you missed the event, members can find the presentation on our website under resources.

In line with its mission to foster the development of trade and commercial activity between Oman and the United States, AmCham Oman hosted an informational webinar on February 15, 2023, with the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Muscat. The presentation was conducted by a team of regional experts from EXIM including, Ms. Ebru Bozacioglu Sr. Business Development Officer for Europe, Eurasia and the Middle East and Mr. John Ahn, Sr. Business Development Specialist for Asia and the Pacific, both from EXIM’s Office of Global Business Development. In addition, the team was joined by Mr. Charles Barnett, Vice President, China and Transformational Exports Program (CTEP).

Ms. Bozacioglu discussed the various programs that EXIM can offer those looking to export from the United States, including credit insurance, working capital guarantee, loan guarantee and direct loans. EXIM offers short term financing as well as medium and long-term (18 years max.) Mr. Barnett focused special initiatives for the purchase of U.S.-made environmental goods and services or purchases that support in competition against China while highlighting several case studies. If you were unable to attend or would like to review the session, please find the full presentation here.
If you have questions or a project that is ready for financing, Ebru expressed her willingness to be contacted by members, so please save her address for your records:
ebru.bozacioglu@exim.gov

What is EXIM?
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) is the official export credit agency of the United States. EXIM supports the purchases of US-made capital equipment and ancillary services by creditworthy international buyers that cannot obtain credit through traditional trade finance sources. EXIM offers trade financing solutions and helps turn business opportunities into real transactions.
EXIM does not compete with private-sector lenders but provides financing products that fill the gaps in trade financing. It assumes country and credit risks that the private sector is unable or unwilling to accept. EXIM also helps to level the playing field for U.S. companies by matching the financing that other governments provide to their exporters. In more than 85 years of operation, EXIM has supported more than $400 billion of U.S. exports to international markets.

As the official affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Oman, AmCham man promotes understanding, partnerships & other matters of mutual economic interest between business communities in Oman and the United States. For 20 years, AmCham Oman’s mission has been to foster the development of commercial activity between Oman and the United States. With more than 25 events annually and over 160 member companies, AmCham Oman is Oman’s most active business center and networking group.

The AmCham Oman (Oman American Business Center) hosted their first networking event of 2023, in partnership with Cigna, a global health service company dedicated to helping people improve their health, well-being, and peace of mind. Over 75 AmCham Oman members enjoyed an evening of networking on the terrace of Hormuz Grand Muscat while learning about solutions to health and wellness. Members also had the opportunity to check their stress level on the stress visualization kit provided by Cigna. A few lucky OABC members won fantastic raffle prizes donated by Muscat Pharmacy, Harub Dental Surgery, Hormuz Grand Hotel Muscat and Fresco Oman.

As the official affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Oman,  AmCham man promotes understanding, partnerships & other matters of mutual economic interest between business communities in Oman and the United States. For 20 years, AmCham Oman’s mission has been to foster the development of commercial activity between Oman and the United States. With more than 25 events annually and over 160 member companies, AmCham Oman is Oman’s most active business center and networking group.

The Oman American Business Center (AmCham Oman) hosted their first-ever family Christmas party as their last networking event of 2022.  The event was held at the Oasis Club, a private membership club supported by the U.S. Embassy.  Over 100 OABC members enjoyed a night of festive networking while their children were busy making Christmas crafts and decorating cookies. Friends and families also enjoyed a pop-up photo studio by OABC member Sarah Hale of Booma Photography and 3^rd Street Donuts provided delicious donut Christmas Trees.

Family events were introduced to AmCham Oman earlier this year and based on positive responses will continue to happen several times throughout 2023.

As the official affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce in Oman (AmCham Oman), the OABC promotes understanding, partnerships & other matters of mutual economic interest between business communities in Oman and the United States.

Formed in 2003, the OABC’s mission is to foster the development of commercial activity between Oman and the United States.  With more than 25 events annually and over 160 member companies, OABC is Oman’s most active business center and networking group.

On November 21, 2022, the Oman American Business Center (AmCham Oman) hosted one of its most anticipated events of the year, the annual Thanksgiving Dinner. More than 150 members came together to enjoy this tradition American meal in the beautiful gardens of the Grand Hyatt Muscat.

The guest of honor was Her Excellency Leslie Tsou U.S. Ambassador to Oman.  Ambassador Tsou reflected on her time in Oman, its gracious people and the meaning of Thanksgiving during her keynote address.

Several OABC member companies sponsored wonderful raffle prizes, including The Grand Hyatt, Europecar Oman, TravelPoint and Primeclass, Muscat International Airports.

As the official affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce in Oman (AmCham Oman), the OABC promotes understanding, partnerships & other matters of mutual economic interest between business communities in Oman and the United States.

Formed in 2003, the OABC’s mission is to foster the development of commercial activity between Oman and the United States.  With more than 25 events annually and over 160 member companies, OABC is Oman’s most active business center and networking group.

The Oman American Business Center (AmCham Oman) hosted it’s first-ever U.S. Alumni networking evening in partnership with the U.S. Embassy Oman. The evening was a celebration for Omani citizens and residents who studied at U.S. universities and attended U.S. cultural programs. The event was attended by more than 300 alumni representing 92 U.S. colleges and universities.

The celebration was designed to provide a platform for alumni to reconnect to fellow alumni and renew the positive connection with their educational experiences.  “Not only did it strengthen my professional network it brought back wonderful memories as well” commented Ahmed Al Balushi, California State University Northridge class of 2019.

Junaid “Jay” Munir, Deputy Chief of Mission was the guest of honor at the event and emphasized how education advances one of the most important parts of the U.S.-Oman relationship: people-to-people ties. Nabila Al Amri, Culture and Engagement Executive at Oman Flour Mills Company, also spoke at the event. Ms. Amri shared her experience and learnings while participating in the 2016 Goldman Sachs-U.S. Dept of State 10,000 women entrepreneurs program at Harvard Business School.

The U.S. Alumni event was held at the Sheraton Oman Hotel and guests enjoyed an American themed buffet while Muscat based band The What provided played a diverse range of American classics.

As the official affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce in Oman (AmCham Oman), the OABC promotes understanding, partnerships & other matters of mutual economic interest between business communities in Oman and the United States.

Formed in 2003, the OABC’s mission is to foster the development of commercial activity between Oman and the United States.  With more than 25 events annually and over 160 member companies, OABC is Oman’s most active business center and networking group.

On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, we had an insightful session with our member Global Advocacy and Legal Counsel. Their team of experts took us through the new Foreign Capital Investment Law which has made Oman a more attractive destination for foreign investors. They also highlighted aspects related to Investor-State Dispute Settlement. If you missed it, the presentation can be found here on our website. We’d also like to thank Crowne Plaza Muscat for such a beautiful meeting room and a delicious breakfast.

On Tuesday, October 11, 2022 the Oman American Business Center hosted one of their most popular networking events, Taco Tuesday, to recognize former Executive Director, Rebecca Olson, and her 5 years of dedication to the OABC.  The evening was hosted by the U.S. Embassy Muscat’s Deputy Chief of Mission, Jay Munir. More than 70 members spent the evening networking while enjoying a delicious Taco Bar provided by Los Amigos Mexican Kitchen.

Rebecca’s contributions to the OABC were recognized by Ali Daud, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the OABC, Vice President of the OABC, Fouad Eid and DCM Jay Munir. During her tenure, Rebecca, drastically reshaped the OABC. She more than doubled membership and tripled the number of annual events. She also extended the reach of the OABC by joining AmCham MENA and forming a partnership with AmCham GCC. The Board of Directors presented Rebecca with artwork done by Omani artist Safiya Al Bahlani, who was the keynote speaker at OABC’s Iftar earlier this year.

The evening was also supported by OUA.  And a few lucky OABC members won fantastic raffle prizes donated by Intercontinental Muscat, Talabat Oman and Los Amigos Mexican Kitchen.