Omanoil award
Oman Oil Marketing Company (omanoil), one of the leading Omani fuel and lubricants marketing companies, received top honours as the best distributor in the Middle East and North Africa region and for its Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards, at the British Petroleum Middle East Partners Conference in Shanghai, China. Omar Ahmed Qatan, CEO omanoil (centre) received the HSE Award at the BPME Partners’ Conference.
 

Khimji’s Mart opens NEW outlets
Khimji’s Mart opened its 13th and 14th super markets at Sohar and Jalan Bani Bu Hassan in Sharqiya region. Khimji’s Mart today is the largest chain of supermarkets in Oman, having five in the capital and nine in interior locations, catering to everyday house hold needs of the citizens of the Sultanate. The quick growth in the hinterland over the last few years stems from the Group strategy to consolidate its presence in the organised retail industry in Oman. With its continuing focus on social commitment and responsibility, the retail arm of Khimji Ramdas, took the initiative of donating their entire sale on the inaugural day towards the charity for the disabled and handicapped people of the Jalan Bani Bu
Hassan wilayat.
 

Philips’ Consumer Lifestyle sector
Philips, a global leader in healthcare, lighting and consumer lifestyle products, has merged its Consumer Electronics (CE) and Domestic Appliances & Personal Care (DAP) divisions to create a market-driven Consumer Lifestyle ‘powerhouse’ focused on growth and value creation. “We will do this by addressing the Lifestyle needs of consumers in the Middle East & Africa through truly differentiated value propositions,” said Jaap Merkus, Senior Director and Sub-Cluster Leader, Middle East & Africa, Philips Consumer Lifestyle. The Philips Consumer Lifestyle sector is to address the wellbeing needs of consumers through a rich portfolio of products covering home and portable entertainment, beauty and personal care, food and beverage preparation, childcare, along with display solutions for consumer-facing professional customers. Mustafa Sultan is the sole franchise for Philips in Oman.
 

OBG launches ‘The Report: Oman’
The Oxford Business Group (OBG) has launched ‘The Report: Oman 2008’. This latest edition of OBG’s annual business guide highlights the modernisation and diversification of Oman. Oliver Cornock, OBG Regional Editor, who oversaw the team of OBG analysts in their preparation of The Report, said: “The Sultanate continues on its all important diversification track with a background of domestic stability and strong economic growth. Significantly non-oil exports have been steadily rising, indicating that the economic reform and liberalisation are beginning to bear fruit.”

Produced for the fourth year running in partnership with OCIPED (Omani Centre for Investment Promotion and Export Development), The Report, a guide to the many facets of Oman, presents an depth profile of the Sultanate’s macroeconomics, infrastructure, political landscape, banking and sectoral developments. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has contributed an exclusive Viewpoint, focusing on his efforts to lead Oman to a more prosperous future.
 

OAB sponsors investment exhibition
Oman Arab Bank (OAB) sponsored an exhibition of investment and capital markets which was attended by a large number of national, Gulf and international investment and real estate companies. Specialised finance companies also participated in the sponsorship of the same exhibition. Muscat Securities Market and Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry were the notable participants in this exhibition.

Majeed bin Abdullah Al Asfoor, OAB’s Senior Manager - Marketing, Public Relations and Information, mentioned that the bank has been regularly sponsoring such exhibitions, as well as economical and financial activities. The bank’s pavilion in this exhibition, presented a package of integrated banking services and products to everyone as part of its continuous endeavour to satisfy the growing needs of the customers.
 

Oman Air’s passenger traffic increases
In the first six months of 2008, Oman Air has carried 965,459 passengers, an increase of 50 per cent compared to same period last year. The airline within the first six month of 2007 carried 643,724 passengers, 601,161 passengers in 2006 and 506,545 passengers in 2005 during the same period respectively.

Oman Air’s Commercial Division stated that the airline operated 9636 flights during the first half of 2008, compared to 6727 in 2007, or an increase of 43 per cent.
 

Gunning for GOLD
A decent pay packet and a company car is something that every youngster, just out of college, would look for in his dream job. Zubair Corporation is ready to dole out all this and much more for the worthy candidates. Worthy, in this case, translates into being a savvy and intelligent person who will be capable of leading an organisation. And worthy will be those Omanis who can get themselves into the list of 24 candidates to pursue Zubair Corporation’s ‘GOLD’. The GOLD (Graduate Omani Leaders Development) programme targets graduates in a number of fields, and features 2-3 years of rigorous academic, personal and professional development leading to potential placement in management or specialist roles across The Zubair Corporation.

The GOLD programme is part of Zubair’s ‘Future Ready’ campaign and proactive promotion of sustainable Omanisation in the corporation which has more than 30 divisions. GOLD’s aim is to identify Omanis with the potential to assume senior management roles within this leading and diverse business house. Over 1000 Omani graduates applied to join the GOLD programme online and from that 250 were shortlisted for further assessment and invited for the opening ceremony.

The 250 candidates will then be assessed by an independent human resources development think tank. Only 24 will then qualify to join this business leadership programme, the first of its kind in Oman. GOLD candidates will receive an excellent reward package during training. In addition, they will be fully sponsored on an international post-graduate management qualification.

The Zubair Corporation, founded in 1967 as Muscat Trading Company, which then became Zubair Enterprises, was one of a number of leading business houses that operated successfully both nationally and internationally.

The Zubair Corporation recognises that people are fundamental to its success, and is dedicated to nurturing their development and intellectual capital to meet current and future business challenges. A dedicated human resources team promotes a healthy culture, managing and recognising talent, ensuring the company has a competitive edge and attractive reward strategy. The Corporation aims to achieve 70 per cent overall Omanisation and 30 per cent Omanisation of senior and executive teams (GMs and Executive Committee) by 2012.
 

QUICK LOOKS

NBO net profit increases
National Bank of Oman (NBO) while announced its results for the first half of 2008 said its net profit for the first six months was RO22.6 million reflecting the bank’s successful growth strategy. The net profit for the first six months of 2008 has increased by 18 per cent as compared to the same period of 2007.
 

Dual language from Nawras
Nawras, the Middle East Mobile Operator of the Year, has introduced Arabic and English notifications for Mousbak (prepaid) customers. By taking this important step, Nawras is communicating with customers in a way that customers prefer – a move that is believed to be unique amongst mobile operators in the GCC.
 

Mustafa Sultan Exchange branch
Mustafa Sultan Exchange Co opened its 11th branch at Falaj Al Qabaiel near Sohar. The branch will provide all range of banking facilities to the customers through SBI Express, SBT Money Trans, HDFC Bank IndiaLink and Western Union. The company is one of the oldest exchange houses operating in the Sultanate and will be completing 20 years of its operations in September.
 

Porsche award for Bose
Porsche AG honoured Bose with two 2008 Supplier of Year awards for outstanding performance in cooperation with Dr Ing h c F Porsche Aktiengesellschaft. The first award was for “outstanding performance as a supplier.” The second was Supplier of the Year 2008, which acknowledges partnership, communication and commitment.
 

More destinations from Salalah
Oman Air, a diamond sponsor of Salalah Tourism Festival 2008, increased its flights to the Dhofar Governorate from Muscat, Dubai and Salalah, in addition to Kuwait. Beginning July, six weekly flights have been added on the Muscat / Salalah sector taking the number of weekly flights to 31.Two more flights a week will be added on the Dubai / Salalah sector, in addition to two flights weekly from Kuwait. Accordingly, the number of scheduled flights during Khareef to Salalah is 325.
 

Ahli Bank’s savings scheme
Ahli Bank, Oman, has launched an innovative saving scheme, MyHassad, for the residents of Oman. The saving plan will initially have a daily draw of RO1,000. Customers maintaining a minimum balance of RO100 in MyHassad account will be eligible for the draw; each RO100 held in the account will entail the customer one chance to win.
This year will witness the launch of new products and services and MyHassad’s launch is one of the many initiatives designed to reflect Ahli Bank’s objectives for 2008
 

Nawras unveils fastest internet service
Nawras has launched the fastest mobile broadband internet service in Oman with its Platinum Plan promising download speeds of up to 7.2Mb/s for only RO99 per month including 30GB of free data usage. The new service is designed to serve the needs of business customers and heavy internet users within the 3G+ network coverage. Nawras also introduced two new SMS translation services namely Mutarjim and Tahadath, adding to its list of value added services. Now there is a quick and easy way to translate words and phrases between Arabic and English and vice versa with Mutarjim as well as receiving help on how words are pronounced using Tahadath and all of this with Nawras great value,” stated a company spokesperson.
 

NBO training in fraud control
The National Bank of Oman (NBO) conducted a training programme on ‘Fraud Control’, as a part of its on going efforts to strengthen operational compliance in branches. Training on key operational procedures had already been conducted across all branches, in February and March. The training covered the areas of vulnerability to frauds, the related precautions to be taken and the recently introduced whistle blowers’ policy of the bank. Besides conceptual inputs, the training also covered live case studies. The fraud control training was a follow up to this training. The training was initially conducted at Muscat, Sohar and Musana and thereafter covered all branches.
 

Proton boosts bonds with Al Hashar
Representatives from Proton Holdings Berhad were in Oman and met representatives of the Al Hashar Group of Companies, which is its dealer. The visit was part of Proton’s effort to further boost its business relationship with its international business partners. Proton, Malaysia’s national automobile manufacturer, had recently made international headlines when its model Persona was named the Best Model of the Year for Malaysia in the Frost & Sullivan ASEAN Automotive Awards 2008. One of the main objectives of the visit is to meet up and interact with Al Hashar’s staff and management, while holding discussions with its department and branch heads.
 

Al Hassan signs pact for e-procurement
Al Hassan Group of Companies, one of Oman’s leading business conglomerates has signed an agreement with Omania E-Commerce (OEC) to move its procurement processes online via “Tejari Transact”, the Middle East’s leading Business to Business (B2B) electronic market place. This move is expected to help Al Hassan Group to further streamline its procurement processes and also allow it to reach out and be available to potential suppliers and business associates in other parts of the world.
 

EXECUTIVE MOVEMENTS
 

Blue City Company 1, the real estate development company tasked to deliver Phase 1 of Al Madina A’Zarqa (Blue City), has appointed Roger Kacou as Vice-President of Hotel and Leisure Development. In his 19 years of industry experience, Kacou has worked with a number of leading industry names, including as Director of Operations – Africa, for Intercontinental Hotels Group Middle East and Africa for five years.

Roger Byrne, a former investment banker has joined the project finance and banking team at Trowers & Hamlins’ Oman office. Byrne was formerly the Director of an Australian corporate advisory house, having previously worked at Global Markets Capital Group LLC, a New York based investment bank. Before this, Byrne was a Partner at Clayton Utz in Australia.

Peter Hill has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for Oman Air. The Board of Directors of Oman Air Company headed by Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy welcomed Peter Hill as CEO of Oman Air. Hill said he welcomed the opportunity to join Oman Air and looks forward to sharing his expertise by leading and guiding Oman Air.

The Wave, Muscat has restructured its management team. Abdulla Al Shidi has been promoted to the position of Deputy CEO. Nasser Al Sheibani as Vice President Finance and Alison Shaw as PR and Events Manager are the other two major appointments made by the Sultanate’s real estate major.

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