Here you can browse past OABC events and recent news. Members, please contact us to share your own company promotions and news, as we love to highlight what our members are doing.

IMG 3862

Following the success of its first Tech Talk the Oman American Business Center (OABC) hosted its second such event in partnership with worldwide technology leader Cisco. The event, titled The Internet of Things in Oman focused on driving digital transformation to achieve better business outcomes. It also discussed key topics such as innovation and boosting productivity, to enable organisations to harness new levels of data and insight to better engage stakeholders.

Rebecca Olson, OABC Executive Director, said: “The first Tech Talk was a huge success for our professional community. The event discussed a brand new, surprising, innovative technology and its application, specific to Oman and its market. We are grateful to OABC’s corporate member Cisco for sharing their local experience with the community.”

Olson added, “We are shifting towards a digital world and need to be prepared for the changes that are yet to come. With its extensive portfolio of smart solutions and outcome-based approaches, Cisco has well-tested practices in enabling digital transformation. As organisations in Oman seek to optimise costs and drive efficiencies, there is great potential for growth in areas such as mobility, security, cloud storage, big data, and analytics.”

Turki al Yahmadi, Technical Manager at Cisco Oman, said, “I was delighted to present the event and share my expertise with the public. Oman has seen great strides in its digital strategy in line with the 2040 vision.”

From Oman Observer.

More pictures here.

 

MK8A3848
wallpapers christmas desktop 5999242

Oman is filled with the festive sounds, sights and tastes of the season!  Please see all offers, events and promotions of OABC member hotels below.

Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel

1487224472 937 3 o

The Al Bustan Palace – a Ritz Carlton Hotel will host a festive tree lighting, gingerbread decoration, and of course, exquisite holiday meals and New Year’s celebrations.

Click here for a festive season brochure.  Or view a full overview here.

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

16f41141e5dc4ab68b01046254c8bb29

Anantara Jebel Akhdar has given the OABC membership a never-seen-before rate for those able to take advantage of this December offer – a premier canyon-view room, dinner and breakfast for 100 OMR (inclusive of taxes).

If you’re missing truly cold weather this December, a cozy getaway on the mountain is a great way to celebrate the season.

Please follow up with the hotel reservations or Sajeev directly at svasudevan@anantara.com.

Screen Shot 2018 12 06 at 10 46 07 AM

Crowne Plaza Muscat, Oman

CP Muscat Light Blue Background

The Crowne Plaza Muscat is hosting unique holiday events from “A Jazzy Christmas at the Edge” with singer Sacha Al Busaidy, to a Black and White New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner. Spend your last night of 2018 in relaxed elegance and enjoy a dinner under the stars in one of our assigned dining areas on the ground floor.

Visit the Crowne Plaza Facebook page for more details on each.

New Years Eve

Grand Hyatt Muscat

Back2Business Oman Grand Hyatt Muscat

The Grand Hyatt Muscat is giving OABC Members a special rate on their Christmas Day Jingle Bell Brunch: 20% off for 8 guests total bill. Members can avail from the below exclusive offer upon the presentation of their Membership Card.

There are many more phenomenal events planned for the whole month of December, ending with the Paris by Night New Year’s Celebration.

Click here for a festive season brochure.

Christmas Brunch Email

 

Häagen-Dazs Muscat

1280px Häagen Dazs Logo svg

Special offer for Christmas & New Year Party Pack:

Ice Cream Bulk Pack (9.45 Ltrs) @ RO 50/-

This will come with FREE: Cones –  25 Nos; Disposable Haagen Dazs Cups – 25 Nos; Disposable Spoons – 25 Nos.

Address: Oman Avenues Mall & Al Masa Mall , Shatti Al Qurm

Phone: +968 24509333

Members can avail this exclusive offer upon the presentation of their Membership Card.

InterContinental Muscat Hotel

merchant primary logo retina merchant

The Intercontinental Hotel Muscat continues its annual tree lighting tradition with goodies for kids and beautiful carols on December 13th at the Main Lobby of the hotel.  The event is free, open to the public, and starts at 5:30pm.

From kids activities to a fantastic Hollywood New Year’s bash, the team has put together an amazing lineup: Click here for a festive season brochure.

The Intercontinental Hotel Muscat is offering a special discount only for OABC members on their Hollywood New Year’s Eve as per flyer below.  Members can avail this exclusive offer upon the presentation of their Membership Card.

new year eve oabc offer

Kempinski Hotel Muscat

1518699257 4177 3 o

The Kempinski Hotel Muscat has not only planned gorgeous events to celebrate the whole holiday season, in a variety of beautiful locations throughout the property, but has invited a choir to sing a medley of favorite carols and tunes daily in the hotel lobby from 6pm.

Check out the full lineup and calendar of events here, with a number of great New Year’s options to consider.

Park Inn by Radisson Muscat

merchant primary logo retina merchant 2

The Park Inn by Radisson Muscat is offering a 10% discount only for OABC members on their Christmas Eve and New Year’s dinners.  Members can avail this exclusive offer upon the presentation of their Membership Card.

From festive events on the rooftop, to a delectable roast turkey station, the Park Inn team is celebrating the season with a number of fun events – Click here for a festive season brochure.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Muscat

radissonmuscatcorrectsize

Book your scrumptious Christmas Eve or Christmas Day dinner with the joy of family and friends at the Radisson Blu.

Check out the festive flyers below to reserve your place.

Untitled design

christmas offers A5 Flyer

christmas offers A5 Flyer2

Shangri-La Resorts in Muscat

4YLgyPUe 400x400

The holiday season at Shangri-La Resorts in Muscat commences with the magnificent Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Thursday the 13th December.  Enjoy a chorus of festive carols in the outdoor Sablah area of Al Bandar Hotel.  Several events in a variety of beautiful locations throughout the resort are planned for the entire season, til the ringing in of the new year.

Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa: Click here for a festive season brochure. 

Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa: Click here for a festive season brochure.

*OABC members can contact Arzu Rzayeva arzu.rzayeva@shangri-la.com ,to avail special offers and rates.

image001

Sheraton Oman Hotel

sheraton

Visit Sheraton Hotel Muscat’s delightful Christmas village, and consider a 7-course festive feast to celebrate this season! A Pirates of the Night New Year’s Eve celebratory countdown is a fun way to end 2018.

You can view the full brochure with all details and more events here.

Sundus Rotana, Muscat Hotel

De0yg kWsAAxKUQ

Sundus Rotana Muscat kicks off its festivities for the holidays with a December 6th, 7 pm Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The event is free for everyone.  Santa Claus is bringing gifts for the little ones, and finger foods with soft drinks will be served.  Please contact the team to book in advance!

The taste of the season continues with special offers, turkey takeaways, and options for dazzling new year’s celebrations: Click here for a festive season brochure.

The Radisson Collection Hotel, Hormuz Grand Muscat

HORMUZ LOGO CON

The Hormuz Grand Muscat — A Radisson Collection Hotel has unique and fun events for every age this holiday season.  The Bar Snowman will give guests a chance to mix their own holiday cocktails, with a winner chosen at the end of the month, and a Mad Hatter’s tea invites attendees to don their best fascinators or hats to win a crowning prize.

Check out the full line up, including the Celebracion de Ano Nuevo Havana Night New Year’s eve bash on Dec 31st.

Click here for a festive season brochure.

OABC 11 01 18 1
Member News: Nuno Neves is the cluster general manager for both Park Inn by Radisson Hotel Muscat and Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm.  He shares about the changes in Duqm, from the perspective of an Oman hotelier.  The hotel has been experiencing a significant improvement in occupancy and revenue as regional traffic picks up.
 
What sorts of guests do you typically see at the hotel and residence?
Duqm is a stopover destination for tourists from Muscat to Salalah. The Khareef Season this year was much better than previous years. Hotels in Duqm mostly get their business from walk-in tourists, especially those from the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries.
Is much happening in Duqm today?  Are you seeing an increase in traffic due to projects being awarded?
The projects are there, but it’s difficult to predict when they will be implemented. Still, already the Park Inn Duqm hotel occupancy and revenue increased by over 25% compared to last year, mainly because of stopover tourists, business travelers, investors, and works awarded.
You also manage Park Inn Muscat — do you have any thoughts on the country’s hospitality sector as we wrap up 2018?
What’s worth noting is the activity and progress we’ve seen in Oman in recent years.  STR Global, a source for premium global data benchmarking, analytics and marketplace insights, revealed in a 2017 report that Oman’s hotels had increased by 4% in 2017, while there was a significant drop in most other Gulf countries.
This report also provides property performance data and allows interested parties to follow trends in occupancy, average daily rate (ADR), revenue per available room (RevPar) and more.
The research agrees with my own feelings based on global professional experience and what we’re seeing daily in our hotels: now is a time of growth for the hospitality sector in Oman.
CDM 7201

Member News: Nasser Hamood al Rawahy, Deputy Chairman of The State Audit institution inaugurated the new office premises of Crowe Mak Ghazali, member firm of Crowe Global. Marc J Seivers, Ambassador of the United States to Oman, was the guest of honour at the event.

Welcoming the invitees, Davis Kallukaran, Managing Partner of Crowe Oman said: “Business models are undergoing rapid transformation ever since the world stepped into the digital revolution. Artificial intelligence, Blockchain, Machine Learning and Cryptocurrency are no longer fancy terminologies but the future of business. These are the tools with which businesses are talking to each other. Moving ahead you cannot live without it. Either you embrace it or you die. We have to be in the race to attract the right talents by employing the state of the art infrastructure and hence our investment in our own office.”

Ghazali Mak, as the firm was known originally, has evolved over the years into Crowe Mak Ghazali, the Oman member firm of Crowe Global.

From Oman Observer

Argus AdobeStock free trade 550 102816

Oman’s immense investment into infrastructure development in recent years, coupled with its drive to diversify the economy away from oil and gas, has led to a rise in interest by US companies in foreign direct investment into the Sultanate.

This was recently highlighted by a visit to the US city of Houston of a delegation representing the Special Economic Zone Authority in Duqm (SEZAD), led by H.E. Yahya bin Said Al Jabri (Chairman of SEZAD). The event was attended by more than 70 companies, the majority of which operate in the US oil and gas sector.

The US-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA), entered into on 1 January 2009, has been key to leveraging foreign investment interests by offering incentives that aim to improve bilateral trade relations.

Key benefits of the FTA

Following several years of negotiation the FTA was entered into on 1 January 2009. The agreement is designed to offer a number of benefits to both Omani and US companies, including:

  • eliminating the majority of tariff and non-tariff barriers;
  • enhancing protection for investors (including enabling investors to fully own businesses without the requirement for engaging a local partner);
  • reducing the minimum share capital requirement for an Omani-incorporated, US-owned entity to OMR 20,000 from OMR 150,000;
  • removing the requirement to have entered into a contract with the Omani government (including contracts with companies partly owned by the Omani government) prior to registering a branch office of a US entity;
  • expediting the movement of goods and provision of services; and
  • safeguarding intellectual property rights, labour and environmental standards, as well as dispute resolution procedures in order to improve the regulatory climate for bilateral trade and investment.

Complying with rules of origin

It should be noted, however, that potential beneficiaries must ensure compliance with certain requirements. In the context of preferential tariff treatment, for example, a product should qualify if it has been wholly grown, produced or manufactured in the US or Oman. There are detailed rules relating to products which do not wholly originate in either country but have been manufactured using component parts from other countries. In general, a product which has been substantially transformed as a result of the manufacturing process will probably qualify for preferential tariff treatment, provided that the value of materials produced in Oman or the US, plus the direct costs of processing operations performed in Oman or the US, is at least 35 per cent of the value of the product at the time it is imported.

Recent successes

A number of recent news stories have highlighted successes stemming from the FTA across a variety of sectors. In November 2018, California-based company GlassPoint Solar which registered in Oman under the FTA in 2011, entered into an MOU with Occidental of Oman to develop plans to establish a mega-solar thermal energy plant with the aim of facilitating oil production in Occidental’s Mukhaizna field. The solar steam produced by the proposed plant would be utilised by Occidental in order to assist in enhanced oil recovery or EOR.

An additional example involves a café named 3rd Street Donuts, owned by Omani entrepreneur Mundhir Al Alawi. Marc J Sievers, US Ambassador to Oman, recently attended the opening ceremony of the 3rd Street Donuts café in Seeb during the Discover America Festival in Oman. The café has taken advantage of the benefits of the FTA by importing duty-free US flour, along with other ingredients used in its products.

3rd Street Donuts demonstrates that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have the opportunity to utilise the FTA, in addition to larger companies. This is particularly important in Oman, where there is a drive to increase the contribution of SMEs towards the country’s GDP.

Taking advantage of the FTA

At Dentons, while we see the FTA as useful a tool which can utilised to great effect by both US and Omani companies alike, it is critical that both the Omani and US governments continue to raise awareness of the FTA so that potential beneficiaries are fully informed as to how they can make best use of the significant advantages afforded to them. Separately, sufficient guidance and assistance must be available to participants to ensure that the administrative requirements of the FTA are appropriately addressed. The US Embassy in Oman has developed a number of useful resources offering guidance in this area, which can be accessed here.

Dentons is the world’s largest law firm with strong cross-border capabilities, and has operated in the Sultanate of Oman for 36 years (and in the Middle East for over 50 years). We have expertise in advising US and Omani clients on how best to utilise the incentives afforded by the FTA. As the expansion of global markets and value chains continues to make the world a smaller place, we keep you informed about the rules and practices governing the establishment of FTA companies in Oman, and work with local Omani companies to develop and implement the right strategies for trade with the US.

Our associate firm, S&A Law Firm, provides dispute resolution and advocacy services throughout Oman, possessing a deep knowledge in all the main areas of dispute resolution, including litigation, arbitration and mediation.

From dentons.com

IMG 8233
IMG 1957

Over 200 business people and executives representing companies from every sector in Oman recently came together for an evening of networking at the Grand Hyatt Muscat, for the sixth annual Back 2 Business event.

The Oman American Business Centre (AmCham Oman), in conjunction with ABGO, BBF and EPBG, hosted the event, with event partners Grand Hyatt Muscat and Oman Air.

Attendees were joined by H.E. Marc J Sievers, US Ambassador to Oman, H.E. Hamish Cowell, UK’s Ambassador to Oman, H.E. Qais al Yousif and a number of other distinguished guests and Oman business leaders. The evening included a special address by H.E. Yousif, chairman of the Board of Directors, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

H.E. Yousif discussed the lasting importance of face-to-face, real-life networking and encouraged the groups to continue such meetings, stating that ‘business in Oman is all about people’. He also shared about the great strides made recently in various sectors in Oman, including a huge leap forward in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, stating that although there were recent economic challenges, Oman has come through it all stronger and more resilient than ever.

Ali Daud, president of the OABC, said, “Back to Business is a chance for the whole business community to come together under one roof for some very real conversations.

Rebecca Olson, executive director of the OABC, said, “This year, the biggest change was that the invite was for members only, and it was still a huge event. Our experience is that despite recent challenges in the region, more companies are joining our membership now than ever.”

From Muscat Daily.

More pictures.

 

IMG 1963

IMG 2100

IMG 1844

IMG 6512

Members of the Oman American Business Center were invited to a sneak peek of the newly renovated Al Bustan Palace on October 22nd.  The tour divided members into several groups and highlighted the brand new lagoon rooms and new features of the hotel.  Drinks and canapés were enjoyed during a special indoor and outdoor networking time at the Beach Pavilion, which features an expanded deck area.  General Manager Katrin Herz welcomed members and explained the new activities, weekly events and ongoing benefits for residents of Oman looking for relaxation or luxury ‘staycations’.

More pictures.

IMG 6386

IMG 6418

IMG 6449

 

WhatsApp Image 2018 10 31 at 10 56 57 AM 1

This September, U.S. Chamber’s Middle East team worked very closely with the Oman American Business Center to revitalize this important organization in Oman which serves as the AmCham and the bridge between the two business communities. During the visit, Steve Lutes, Vice President of Middle East Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, met with many key leaders to discuss ways to strenghten the U.S.-Oman business relationship, including Ministry of Commerce & Industry Undersecretary Al-Dheeb; the Head of the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development; and leadership from the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the U.S. Embassy in Muscat. In addition, the U.S. Chamber was proud to partner with U.S. Embassy Muscat and OABC to host a networking session with OABC’s members, which provided a timely opportunity for a discussion on the administration’s trade agenda.

Screen Shot 2018 10 31 at 10 39 26 AM

Pictured: Oman Ministry of Commerce & Industry Undersecretary Ahmed Hassan Al-Dheeb; Steve Lutes, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Andrew Barwig, Economic & Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Muscat;  and Rebecca Olson, Executive Director, Oman American Business Center. 

unnamed

U.S. Chamber, OABC, and U.S. Embassy Muscat representatives meet with Oman Chamber CEO and his team. 

Screen Shot 2018 10 31 at 10 42 18 AM

U.S. Chamber, OABC, and U.S. Embassy Muscat representatives meet with Ithraa’s head of Investment Promotion.