OABC News

Muscat, Oman – January 2025: The Oman American Business Council (OABC, AmCham Oman) held its Biennial General Meeting (BGM) on January 21st at the Hormuz Grand Hotel, celebrating significant milestones, unveiling new initiatives, and introducing its newly elected Board of Directors.

Since the last BGM, OABC, the official affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Oman, has hosted an impressive 109 events. In 2024 alone, the organization welcomed 100 new members. These achievements underscore OABC’s role as a critical hub for business, trade, and investment in Oman, driving engagement across sectors and fostering valuable connections.

Rebecca Olson, CEO of OABC, shared: “This year’s BGM reflects OABC’s momentum and the growing impact of our community. Together, we’re creating opportunities for businesses to thrive, building connections, and fostering partnerships that benefit both Oman and the United States.”

New Board of Directors

The BGM also saw the election of OABC’s new Board of Directors, who will lead the organization into its next chapter. The elected members are:

• Ali Daud (Chairman)
• Fouad Eid (Vice Chairman)
• Talal Al Subhi (Emdaad Petroleum)
• Nourah Mehyar (Nafith Logistics)
• Samir Messaoudi (Sheraton Hotel)
• Khaled Kassar (Better Medical Solutions)
• Ahmed Al Barwani (Al Tamimi Law Firm)
• Davis Kallukaran (Crowe Oman)
• Faisal Al Nabhani (State Street)

Outgoing Board Members, including Matt Olson, Marla Valdez, Dr. Mohab Al Hinai, and Shayan Sumar, were honored for their invaluable contributions and dedication.

Exciting Announcements and Initiatives

The BGM highlighted OABC’s commitment to empowering businesses with new tools and opportunities. The organization introduced three signature trade programs—U.S. Import Easy, U.S. Export Compass, and Gateway Oman—designed to simplify trade processes and maximize the benefits of the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

OABC also announced its new partnership with Qatar Airways, offering exclusive discounts for members and opportunities for further collaboration in 2025.

Ali Daud, OABC Chairman, emphasized the importance of these initiatives: “OABC’s focus on facilitating trade and fostering partnerships through the U.S.-Oman FTA is a cornerstone of our work. These programs ensure businesses have the tools and connections they need to grow, succeed, and contribute to Oman’s economy. With a new Board in place, we welcome a new era of impact.”

A Vibrant Evening of Networking

Following the presentations, attendees gathered for a lively networking session, celebrating OABC’s achievements and plans for the future. The evening featured a raffle, with prizes sponsored by the Hormuz Grand Hotel, adding excitement to the event.

About the Oman American Business Council (OABC)

The Oman American Business Council is Oman’s largest and most active business network, fostering trade, investment, and partnerships between Oman and the United States. Through innovative programs, advocacy, and unparalleled networking opportunities, OABC helps its members navigate the complexities of international business and strengthens economic ties between the two nations.

Muscat, Oman — The Oman American Business Council (OABC) held its much-anticipated Holiday Gathering at the newly opened SiO2 Beach Lounge, Shangri-La Muscat. The festive evening brought together valued members, partners, and special guests to celebrate the successes of the year and foster meaningful connections.

The event was honored by the presence of H.E. Ambassador Ana Escrogima, U.S. Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, who addressed the attendees and underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relationships and fostering collaboration between the U.S. and Oman.

The SiO2 Beach Lounge, with its stunning seaside views and elegant atmosphere, provided the perfect setting for the OABC community to network, celebrate, and enjoy the spirit of the season.

“This year’s Holiday Gathering was a reflection of the strong partnerships and collaborative efforts that drive the OABC forward,” said Rebecca Olson, CEO of OABC. “We are honored to have U.S. Ambassador Escrogima join us as our Guest of Honor, and we look forward to continuing to support business connections and opportunities for our members in the coming year.”

OABC also extends its sincere gratitude to the generous raffle prize sponsors, whose contributions added excitement and joy to the evening. Their support was instrumental in making the event a success and further exemplified the strong community spirit within the OABC network.

The Oman American Business Council remains committed to fostering business growth, knowledge sharing, and strategic networking opportunities for its members in Oman and beyond.

For more information about the Oman American Business Council, upcoming events, and membership opportunities, please contact: info@oabc.org.

About the Oman American Business Council (OABC): The Oman American Business Council is Oman’s largest business network, fostering trade, investment, and partnerships between Oman and the United States. Through events, resources, and advocacy, the OABC supports its members in navigating the complexities of international business and advancing bilateral economic ties.

On November 12th, the OABC held its first-ever Taco Tuesday Business Networking Night at The Oasis Club, and it was a smashing success!

OABC members enjoyed an evening of networking, delicious tacos, and fantastic raffle prizes, with our special guest Leslie Ordeman, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy. A big thank you to our amazing sponsors for their generous contributions, making the night even more memorable.

Stay tuned for more great events like this – we can’t wait to see you at the next one!

The Oman American Business Council (OABC) Tourism Committee recently held a high-level roundtable, bringing together top industry leaders from Oman’s tourism sector. Con Korfiatis, CEO of Oman Air and guest speaker for the event, addressed CEOs and general managers from leading hotels, tour companies, and tourism organizations. His presentation covered Oman Air’s vision for bolstering Oman as a global tourism destination and shared strategies aimed at attracting more visitors, including new initiatives to encourage extended stays through Oman Air’s stopover programs.

This gathering, held at Europcar’s regional HQ for Oman and Bahrain, highlighted the Tourism Committee’s role, established in 2023, as a dedicated platform for industry professionals to connect, provide feedback, and stay informed on emerging trends. The Committee is committed to supporting Oman’s goal of building a thriving, year-round tourism sector, with a special focus on welcoming American tourists and increasing summer tourism in Oman—an objective aimed at placing Oman on par with neighboring destinations that experience peak tourism during the summer months.

Rebecca Olson, CEO of OABC, emphasized the significance of Oman Air’s engagement with the committee, noting, “We were honored to host Con Korfiatis in his role as CEO of Oman Air, especially given his busy schedule. Events like this one are exactly why the Tourism Committee exists—to bring industry leaders together to share insights and collectively support Oman’s tourism ambitions, which are too big for any one entity to achieve alone. Thanks also to Europcar for hosting the event, always looking for ways to support Oman’s business community.”

Nitin Sapre, CEO of Europcar Oman & Bahrain, also expressed his appreciation for the gathering, adding, “It was a privilege to host this important discussion with OABC and Oman Air as part of our commitment to supporting Oman’s business community.”

On November 6th, 2024, OABC hosted its 3rd HR Community gathering, powered by Takaful Oman, at Oman Arab Bank, Al Ghubra. HR professionals and business leaders came together for an engaging discussion on how technology is changing the HR game.

We were joined by Marwa Al Kharusi, Senior VP of HR & Admin at Ominvest, and Dinesh Gagnani, Head of Learning & Development at Takaful Oman, who shared their valuable insights on the growing impact of AI in HR. The session sparked a lively and stimulating conversation about how technology is reshaping HR practices, with a particular focus on the evolving role of AI in the workplace.

What made this gathering truly special was the opportunity for attendees to actively participate, share their experiences, and contribute their thoughts on how AI and other innovative technologies are being implemented in HR today.

A big thank you to our speakers and everyone who joined us — it was a fantastic opportunity to learn, connect, and chat about the future of HR in a digital world.

The Oman American Business Council (OABC) recently hosted a highly successful event, “Demystifying Bitcoin, Cryptos, and Blockchain: A 101 for Executive Success in Both Business and Personal Finance,” on October 30th at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Muscat. The event provided attendees with valuable insights into the world of cryptocurrency, empowering them to navigate digital assets with confidence.

The keynote speaker, Kevin Wippermann, Chief Technology Officer and expert in Digital Transformation and Innovation, delivered an engaging session that simplified complex concepts in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Business leaders and executives gained practical knowledge to help them explore how cryptocurrency and blockchain could play a role in their business strategies and personal investment portfolios.

Rebecca Olson, CEO of the Oman American Business Council, emphasized the importance of this session: “Cryptocurrency and blockchain are rapidly evolving fields that have the potential to reshape aspects of both business and finance. We’re thrilled to offer our members this opportunity to deepen their understanding and explore where digital assets like Bitcoin might be headed. Events like this help our business community stay informed and ready for the future.”

Reflecting on the event, Kevin Wippermann shared, “Bitcoin and blockchain technology are still in their early stages, but they hold immense potential. My goal was to give executives a clear understanding of the fundamentals and to outline the possible directions in which this technology could develop. It was inspiring to see OABC members engaging with these ideas and exploring the future possibilities.”

This event is part of OABC’s ongoing commitment to support the business community in Oman by offering valuable knowledge and resources in emerging areas of interest. With the rapid development of digital assets worldwide, OABC aims to equip its members with relevant information to help them make informed decisions in an evolving landscape.

OABC welcomed delegates from the space industry this past week at our office in Bait Al Reem for a conversation on business in Oman.

We were honored to welcome Farhat Jahangir to share his relevant insights on GSME’s entrance into Oman’s (growing!) semiconductor sector, how the U.S.-Oman FTA influenced the decision to set up in Muscat, and his experience working with Omani entities to expand the business. Thank you, Farhat, for sharing areas of crossover that relate to other new sectors like space, and for joining OABC’s CEO, Rebecca Olson, in sharing positive remarks about the Sultanate with our guests.
We hope the session will pave the way for more communication, in-person visits, partnerships and eventually, success in Oman and growth for these companies. Thanks to the Department of State’s Office of Global Partnerships for their work in organizing the delegation, to the U.S. Embassy Muscat for the collaboration, and to each delegate for your questions and interest in OABC. Read more here.

OABC hosted an insightful roundtable discussion with Judith D. Pryor, First Vice President and Vice Chair of the Board at the U.S. EXIM Bank. The event offered valuable perspectives on how EXIM Bank can support Omani businesses through financing opportunities for U.S. goods and services.
Key highlights included strategies for leveraging EXIM’s resources to drive growth, with a particular focus on sectors critical to Oman’s economic development. The dynamic conversation provided our members with practical tools for expanding their operations internationally.

Read more here.

OABC was honored to host Judith D. Pryor, First Vice President and Vice Chair of the Board at the U.S. EXIM Bank, for an exclusive, high-level roundtable with senior representatives from Oman’s banking sector.

The discussion centered on the $500 million Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Oman and the U.S., designed to increase financing for key projects in Oman and facilitate the purchase of U.S. exports. Judith Pryor shared valuable insights on how EXIM Bank can work alongside Omani banks to support economic growth and enhance financing solutions for major sectors.

This high-level dialogue underscored the significant opportunities created by the MOU and set the stage for strengthened financial cooperation between the U.S. and Oman.

Click here to see more.

Our premium members had the exclusive opportunity to engage with Jason Buntin, who played a key role in drafting the Oman-USA Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Jason shared invaluable insights on the FTA and offered practical guidance on how businesses can leverage this agreement for success.

Click here to see more.