Muscat, 2016 – The Oman American Business Center (OABC) recently held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Park Inn by Radisson Muscat to review its progress over the calendar year. The event, which was attended by OABC board members, staff and representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, opened with a speech from Vice President of OABC Fouad Eid wherein he highlighted updates to the organization’s structure and outlined the success of the center’s activities.
Fouad Eid, commented, saying, “Over the years, the OABC has enjoyed landmark progress to become an essential meeting ground for Omani companies to connect with their American counterparts. Together, we have shared the massive benefits of cooperation, dialogue, and synergy with dozens of businesses in the Sultanate. This meeting marks yet another landmark year for us, as we welcomed new members and achieved unprecedented success in the initiatives we launched. Today as always, we look forward to continuing our growth as an organization so that we may foster even more bilateral social and financial developmental opportunities for our members.”
The high profile meeting included a speech by U.S. Ambassador to Oman Marc J. Sievers, who commented on the U.S. Mission’s relationship with the OABC and the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement. Ambassador Sievers said, “The U.S. Embassy highly values the collaborative relationship we have with the OABC. Through the years, you have been a reliable partner in reaching out to U.S. businesses active in Oman. We congratulate you on your expanding membership, informative programs, and look forward to many successful years to come.”
The Honorable Richard Schmierer, former U.S. Ambassador to the Sultanate and currently Chairman of the Board for the Middle East Policy Council in the U.S., also participated in the meeting, delivering a talk entitled, “Middle East and the Next U.S. Administration: Challenges, Opportunities and Recommendations.”
Ambassador Schmierer, who is a Member of the Advisory Board of the National Council for U.S.-Arab Relations (NCUSAR), in addition to being Chairman of the Middle East Policy Council, commented, “Oman has earned a reputation for being a beacon of peace, tolerance and stability in the region. The partnership between Oman and the U.S., built up over the centuries, has brought trade and other benefits to both our respective peoples, and I am hopeful that it will continue to prosper under the next U.S. administration.”
The OABC was formed to foster the development of commercial activity between the United States of America and the Sultanate of Oman. The center invites companies in the Sultanate to join and gain a unique opportunity to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and expand their business networks.