OABC News

Muscat, Oman – The Oman American Business Center (OABC) recently hosted a successful Oman Future Fund Webinar, showcasing investment opportunities through the Oman Future Fund. The event saw high engagement from OABC members and a strong presence from U.S. companies, keen to explore business prospects in Oman.

The webinar, held in partnership with the Oman Embassy in Washington DC, featured a presentation by Sultan Al Busaidi, representative of the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and the Future Fund Oman, who highlighted the submission requirements, target segments, key investment sectors including agriculture, mining, information technology and communication, green energy, fisheries, logistics and more.

Ali Daud, President and Chairman Emeritus of the Oman American Business Council, emphasized the significance of Oman’s investment potential, stating, “The Oman Future Fund offers a strategic gateway for international investors to access Oman’s growing economy and diverse sectors. We are excited to see so much interest from U.S. firms in partnering with Oman for long-term growth.”

OABC’s CEO, Rebecca Olson, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the event, saying, “This webinar is a testament to the willingness of Omani entities to engage with U.S. companies and investors across a variety of ways. We’re proud to have connected our members with such valuable information, and the participation from U.S. companies speaks volumes about the interest in Oman’s investment potential.”

On October 8, 2024, Oman Arab Business Council (OABC) held an inspiring HR Community event focused on Crafting Family-Friendly Policies. The session highlighted the significant benefits of such policies for companies and their employees.

Key insights included:

• Companies implementing family-friendly policies experience higher employee retention.
• Introducing mother-and-child-friendly services can reduce absenteeism by 9%.
• 51% of companies offering childcare solutions report increased profitability.
• 61% have become employers of choice after establishing childcare services.
• Programs supporting women’s health lead to fewer work errors and improved performance.

Thank you to all participants for contributing to a fruitful discussion! We look forward to continuing the conversation around creating supportive workplaces.

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Oman Arab Business Council (OABC) recently hosted an impactful webinar with Stories, a premium member, on September 30, focusing on the importance of purpose in driving business success.

Led by the Founder of Stories and Purpose Coach, the session explored how aligning business strategies with a clear purpose can ignite action, foster sustainable growth, and create new revenue streams. Attendees gained valuable insights on leveraging purpose to inspire teams and enhance decision-making.

The event underscored OABC’s commitment to providing resources and support for business leaders in today’s unpredictable landscape. We thank all participants for their engagement and look forward to more opportunities for learning and collaboration.

The Oman American Business Council (AmCham Oman), in collaboration with Better Medical Solutions, successfully hosted its annual Back to Business Networking Night on Wednesday, September 25th, at the Sheraton Hotel Muscat. This event served as a dynamic platform for Omani and international businesses to reconnect after the summer break, facilitating meaningful networking opportunities while promoting the strategic benefits of the US-Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The Back to Business Networking Night brought together over 180 esteemed members of the Oman business community after the summer break. Attendees enjoyed a vibrant evening of engaging conversations, fostering new connections and strengthening existing relationships. As part of the event, Better Medical Solutions demonstrated their utilization of the US-Oman FTA by importing premium U.S. medical devices into Oman, exemplifying how local businesses can capitalize on the agreement for mutual growth and prosperity.

The event was made even more exciting with a raffle draw, offering attendees a chance to win fantastic prizes. Better Medical Solutions, Sheraton Hotel Muscat, and Europcar generously provided the raffle prizes, with Europcar offering the grand prize of the evening (a luxurious weekend getaway in Bahrain for the Europcar Open and Gala Awards).

“I have been in the healthcare field for over 3 decades,” says Khaled Kassar, CEO of Better Medical Solutions. “I never imagined I’d be venturing into any new business, but since joining OABC in 2022, my company has branched into AI, construction and project management, and recently launched a manufacturing facility. We’re seeking to become FDA-registered to export to the vast U.S. market under the Free Trade Agreement. Indeed OABC is the platform I needed to build the right network so I could diversify my portfolio and create a new business line. Tonight was all about celebrating these new connections.”

“The room was absolutely buzzing and there is a real momentum in the air,” says Rebecca Olson, CEO of OABC. “One thing is for certain, that there is a hunger for business networking in Oman. Professionals want a place to connect with others who are focused on business, in a friendly atmosphere. We are proud to deliver an opportunity like this to the members and the wider business community, and look forward to many similar events throughout the coming season. And special thanks to BMS for sponsoring the night and sharing their success story with others.”

With over 180 member companies and as Oman’s largest and most active business networking organization, OABC remains dedicated to organizing impactful events that facilitate networking, knowledge-sharing, and business growth within the Oman business community.

Click here to see a snapshot of the event

On September 18, OABC Premium Members were treated to an exclusive culinary journey at the stunning St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort. From the rich flavors of Greece to the classic elegance of Italy, and the vibrant tastes of Peru and Oman specialties influenced by Zanzibar and India, it was a night where exquisite cuisine took center stage. Our members experienced a world of flavors in one evening—along with opportunities for networking, of course.

A big thank you to the St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort team for curating such a wonderful event and to our Premium Members for joining us.

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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 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.