29 March 2012
MUSCAT -- More than 500 delegates are expected to attend the 3rd Oman Economic Forum during April 22-23 which has been organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and Al Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group.
A number of important entities, including the Central Bank of Oman and the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, will participate in the forum, which is being held as part of efforts to acquaint people with the investment environment in the Sultanate.
Titled "Boosting the National Wealth", this third edition will focus on key themes such as the Omani economy; prospects for growth in the coming phase; important investment opportunities; investments at Duqm Port; prospects for the banking industry; financial markets, important business opportunities; investments in power and water projects; development of small and medium enterprises; development of oil and gas industries; and prospects for industry and industrial zones.
The participants include investors, businessmen and decision makers in the government and private sectors, especially those representing the oil and gas, power, industrial and banking sectors. Delegates of international companies, CEOs of commercial and Islamic banks and chairpersons of pioneering financial and economic establishments will also participate in the forum.
Mohsin bin Khamis al Balushi, Adviser at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said: "The forum, in its 3rd edition, will focus on the significant cornerstones of the economic and social development in the Sultanate and the positive aspects and related challenges accompanying this growth.
The forum is being held in an economic climate that is different to what was prevalent in 2011.
"The financial crisis in Europe, coupled with the increase in oil prices, has severely influenced the global economy. Neither the Sultanate nor Arab countries have been immune to these influences -- whether positively or negatively.
"The Sultanate has exerted strenuous efforts to mitigate the effects of the global financial crisis in general and the European crisis in particular on its national economy that achieved satisfactory positive growth in the year of 2011.
"Therefore, what will be highlighted in the discussions of the forum is how to move forward on the way of investments and development in light of the new challenges resulting from the aforesaid crisis.
Al Balushi stated: "We are looking forward to the participation of investors from the Sultanate as well as the sister and friendly Arab countries in investing in all constituents of the Omani economy."
Topics on the agenda include available investment opportunities in energy; alternative energy; water projects; opportunities generated by the huge investments made in prior phases of development, particularly in the establishment of giant industries; and developing ports and free economic zones.
Walid Abou Zaki, Executive Director of Al Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group, said: "The forum is now the third to be held in the Sultanate following the 2008 and 2010 editions which were marked by great success.
"The forum is an essential part of the 250 conferences and forums organised by Al Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group in 25 Arab and non-Arab countries that include Oman First Islamic Finance & Banking Conference, in addition to the Group's contribution to the organising of several events for various Arab and international institutions.
"Oman First Islamic Finance & Banking Conference which took place in the Sultanate on January 23-24 this year is among the Group's recent successes."
Qatar National Bank is supporting the forum as Platinum Sponsor. Oman Arab Bank and Zubair Corporation are Gold sponsors, while ITS (International Turnkey Systems) is the Technology sponsor.
MUSCAT -- More than 500 delegates are expected to attend the 3rd Oman Economic Forum during April 22-23 which has been organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and Al Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group.
A number of important entities, including the Central Bank of Oman and the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, will participate in the forum, which is being held as part of efforts to acquaint people with the investment environment in the Sultanate.
Titled "Boosting the National Wealth", this third edition will focus on key themes such as the Omani economy; prospects for growth in the coming phase; important investment opportunities; investments at Duqm Port; prospects for the banking industry; financial markets, important business opportunities; investments in power and water projects; development of small and medium enterprises; development of oil and gas industries; and prospects for industry and industrial zones.
The participants include investors, businessmen and decision makers in the government and private sectors, especially those representing the oil and gas, power, industrial and banking sectors. Delegates of international companies, CEOs of commercial and Islamic banks and chairpersons of pioneering financial and economic establishments will also participate in the forum.
Mohsin bin Khamis al Balushi, Adviser at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said: "The forum, in its 3rd edition, will focus on the significant cornerstones of the economic and social development in the Sultanate and the positive aspects and related challenges accompanying this growth.
The forum is being held in an economic climate that is different to what was prevalent in 2011.
"The financial crisis in Europe, coupled with the increase in oil prices, has severely influenced the global economy. Neither the Sultanate nor Arab countries have been immune to these influences -- whether positively or negatively.
"The Sultanate has exerted strenuous efforts to mitigate the effects of the global financial crisis in general and the European crisis in particular on its national economy that achieved satisfactory positive growth in the year of 2011.
"Therefore, what will be highlighted in the discussions of the forum is how to move forward on the way of investments and development in light of the new challenges resulting from the aforesaid crisis.
Al Balushi stated: "We are looking forward to the participation of investors from the Sultanate as well as the sister and friendly Arab countries in investing in all constituents of the Omani economy."
Topics on the agenda include available investment opportunities in energy; alternative energy; water projects; opportunities generated by the huge investments made in prior phases of development, particularly in the establishment of giant industries; and developing ports and free economic zones.
Walid Abou Zaki, Executive Director of Al Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group, said: "The forum is now the third to be held in the Sultanate following the 2008 and 2010 editions which were marked by great success.
"The forum is an essential part of the 250 conferences and forums organised by Al Iktissad Wal-Aamal Group in 25 Arab and non-Arab countries that include Oman First Islamic Finance & Banking Conference, in addition to the Group's contribution to the organising of several events for various Arab and international institutions.
"Oman First Islamic Finance & Banking Conference which took place in the Sultanate on January 23-24 this year is among the Group's recent successes."
Qatar National Bank is supporting the forum as Platinum Sponsor. Oman Arab Bank and Zubair Corporation are Gold sponsors, while ITS (International Turnkey Systems) is the Technology sponsor.
© Oman Daily Observer 2012
