OABC News

On September 11th, the OABC proudly launched its HR Community, the Oman HR Community (OHRC), with over 80 attendees joining this significant event. We are immensely grateful to Takaful Oman for their generous sponsorship, which made the creation of the OHRC possible. Their support has been instrumental in bringing together HR professionals across Oman to share knowledge and foster growth.

We would also like to thank Oman Arab Bank for hosting us, and a special appreciation goes to our keynote speaker, Mutheer Al Kalbani, for his enlightening presentation on “Building a High-Performance Driven Culture.”

This marks the beginning of an exciting journey, with a series of valuable events already lined up to benefit HR professionals in Oman. Thank you to all who participated and contributed to the success of the launch.

If you’re not yet an OABC member and are interested in joining the HR Community, please reach out to us at info@oabc.org for more information.

On September 9, the OABC Tourism Committee held a highly successful meeting, and we extend our deepest gratitude to Crowne Plaza Muscat OCEC for their exceptional hospitality. A special thank you is also in order for our esteemed guest, Shabib Al Maamari, Managing Director of Visit Oman for his participation and presentation.

The meeting was marked by dynamic discussions focused on key strategies to enhance Oman’s tourism sector. Industry leaders shared invaluable insights, fueling an optimistic outlook for future collaborations and the growth of Oman’s tourism industry.

We are excited about the promising direction and look forward to driving growth and innovation in this vibrant sector. Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to advance our initiatives.

Salalah, Oman – September 2024 – The Oman American Business Council (OABC) successfully hosted an engaging event in Salalah, in collaboration with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Dhofar Governorate and the U.S. Embassy Muscat, Consular Section. The event, held at OCCI Salalah on September 1st, provided a valuable opportunity for companies interested in exploring business opportunities in or with the United States.

The morning session featured a presentation from the U.S. Embassy Muscat Consular Section, which offered guidance on U.S. Business Visa services. The team took time to explain each step, and answered all questions from attendees.  Additionally, OABC’s team gave an overview of the history of the US Oman FTA, key provisions of the FTA, success stories of Omani companies exporting to the United States and an overview of OABC’s trade services, including the Export Compass and Gateway USA programs, which are designed to facilitate trade and investment between Oman and the United States.

A significant focus of the event was on untapped potential: ways for Omani companies to take advantage of the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The FTA, one of only four such agreements in the entire MENA region, offers unique opportunities for Omani businesses to enter the U.S. market competitively. The discussion highlighted opportunities to create a more favorable environment for Omani exports. The event also underscored potential growth in exporting medical devices and certain produce items from the Dhofar region to the U.S. market.

“We are delighted with the strong interest shown by the business community in Salalah, and we are grateful to Chairman Naif and his team at OCCI for welcoming us so warmly,” said Rebecca Olson, CEO of OABC. “Their collaboration and support made it clear that there will be many more opportunities for such meetings, as well as longer training sessions and programs, to be held in the future. The enthusiasm among Omani exporters for leveraging the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement is evident, and we are committed to supporting our members in maximizing these opportunities to access the U.S. market and achieve mutual growth.”

The event attracted a diverse group of business leaders and entrepreneurs from across the Dhofar region, who were eager to learn more about practical strategies for accessing the U.S. market and the specific support available from OABC.

As the leading business association fostering economic relations between Oman and the United States, OABC continues to provide a robust platform for business networking, knowledge exchange, and trade facilitation. With a series of upcoming events and initiatives, OABC remains dedicated to helping companies navigate international trade and investment opportunities.

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.

OABC’s office is in Bait Al Reem Business Center which means we share a building with several dozen other companies in Oman. So of course we had to plan a “Meet Your Neighbors Networking Event”!  On June 2nd, 2024, business minds converged for a brief coffee hour of connection and camaraderie at the whole-building social. We’d like to offer special thanks to our sponsor 3rd Street Donuts, for adding a sweet touch to the occasion. Follow us to know more.

Was an exciting “Afternoon with AI” at COMEX on May 30, 2024! Our newest overseas member from Dallas, Texas, MindPropel, presented a captivating session on Generative AI Adoption titled “Real Business Value in 90 Days or Less with the InnovAIt Framework.”

Event Highlights:

Generative AI’s Global Impact:
MindPropel showcased how generative AI is revolutionizing industries worldwide.

GenAI in Oman and the MENA Region:
The session explored the immense potential and specific implications of generative AI for our region.

Essential GenAI Adoption for Businesses:
Participants learned why integrating generative AI is crucial for maintaining competitiveness.

Bridging Vendor Offerings and Business Needs:
The discussion highlighted existing disparities and effective strategies to address them.

Introducing the InnovAIt Framework:
MindPropel demonstrated how their InnovAIt Framework bridges gaps and delivers tangible value.

Achieving Results in 90 Days:
Companies discovered how to implement GenAI quickly for substantial benefits.

Next Steps – GenAI Masterclass:
Kickstart your AI journey with MindPropel’s in-person 2-day GenAI Masterclass in Muscat on September 2 & 3. Invite your leadership teams to stay ahead of the curve.

Follow us to know more.

Muscat, Oman – There are many changes coming for all employees in Oman, whether Omani or expatriate, when it comes to End of Service Benefits. Timelines and specifics raise questions for many leaders – and this is what prompted the OABC’s latest informational event for the business community.

The Oman American Business Council (OABC), Oman’s largest and most active business networking group and the official affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Oman, in partnership with OABC Corporate Member Bait Al Qanoon, a purely Omani Law Company with extensive international experience, hosted a successful morning session on the new Mandatory Saving Scheme, under the Oman Social Protection Law.

The event took place on May 29th at the Crowne Plaza Qurum Hotel, welcoming over 100 professionals and business leaders to discuss the significant changes in store for companies in Oman under the Social Protection Law. As has become the typical model for OABC’s morning sessions, there was a chance for networking before kicking off the event. This was followed by a clear and succinct presentation expertly delivered by Noor Al Khonji, Associate at Bait Al Qanoon.  Finally, almost one hour was spent discussing and answering every question raised by members of the OABC, via a panel of partners and experts from the firm.

Ahmed Al Abri,  Partner at Bait Al Qanoon Law firm, commented, ”Bait Al Qanoon was delighted to present ‘The Social Protection Law and Savings Scheme: Implementation & Implications,’ arranged by the Oman American Business Council (OABC). We are grateful for the active participation and keen interest from OABC members, and extend a big thank you to the OABC team for making this event possible.”

“What will happen to the current gratuity I’ve already accumulated?  When does the new requirement for maternity leave begin?  What if an employee prefers to opt out of the new scheme? These were just three of the 15-20 questions asked and answered by members during the session,” says Rebecca Olson, CEO of the OABC. “We are so grateful for the time and sponsorship of Bait Al Qanoon, and thank each team member for sharing their knowledge and experience with our members.”

The event was free for OABC members, as are all OABC events, which number between 30-40 per year.

On May 21, 2024, OABC members participated in an engaging and informative online webinar, “Mental Health for All,” presented by our corporate member, Eunoia Clinic, as part of their special awareness campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month in May.

In this interactive single-session seminar, the participants explored the importance of mental health in corporate environments. Our amazing facilitators, Sara Hassan and Rima Fattouh, both experienced Mental Health Therapists, guided the participants through an examination of the basics of mental health, debunking myths and misconceptions along the way.

They uncovered the various aspects of mental health and provided practical strategies to maintain healthy patterns both in the workplace and beyond.

Key Takeaways been discussed during the webinar are as following:

– Introduction to the basics of mental health.
– Highlighting myths and stigma around mental health and mental illness
– Exploring the domains of mental health
– Strategies to sustain healthy patterns of mental health in the workplace and beyond