Fri, 19 April 2013

SALALAH -- The International Conference on Business Management (ICBM) 2013 touched upon the issues of modernisation and benchmarking in this era of globalisation and its likely impact on Oman's economic progress. It also tried to find viable options for all round development of Oman in order to strengthen its economic progress. The two-day conference concluded yesterday after three rigorous sessions that included presentation of papers, debates and question-answer sessions.

It was the first conference to be organised in Dhofar University and was supported by The Research Council of Oman (TRC) and Oman Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Salalah branch. Salalah Methanol Company was the golden sponsor of the conference. According to the Conference Chair, Dr Syed Ahsan Jamil, Dean College of Commerce and Business Administration at Dhofar University, "the conference attracted national and international researchers in which a total of 26 research papers were presented with conference tracks like: 'Omani economy and globalisation'; 'Global issues, challenges and sectoral responses' and 'Impact of globalisation and new opportunities for enterprises'.

Dr Hassan Kashoob, Vice-Chancellor, Dhofar University, laid emphasis on Oman's economic growth and the government's commitment to achieve the His Majesty the Sultan's vision of 2020. In his key note address, Suleiman Al Harthy, Group General Manager of Islamic Banking, Bank Muscat, focused on the issue of Omani economy and globalisation. He also emphasised that the Sultanate of Oman was slowly but steadily adapting to regional and worldwide changes and has however managed to overcome most of the challenges faced by the region in recent decades.

"The Sultanate of Oman has been moving steadily to liberalise its economic system through much of the 1990s to prepare the country for the challenges of the 21st century. "Oman has become more resilient with the emergence of a robust non-oil sector and increasing business opportunities for both local and foreign investors," he said. Dr Gerry Cleary, Professor from University of Belfast and formerly with I Shou University in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, delivered a lecture on 'China and Oman -- fruitful relationship for business'.

Dr Rafi Ashrafi, Professor from Sultan Qaboos University, talked about the role and development of ICT sector in Oman, while Prof Anurika Vaish, Professor Indian Institute of Information Iechnology, India and K M S Sreenivas (CEO, Dhofar Cattle Feed) chaired the sessions of the conference. "The College of Commerce and Business Administration (CCBA) chose this theme to reflect on the developments in the Omani economy qualitatively and quantitatively, and to discuss as to how an emerging economy like Oman could brace itself for global challenges," said Dr Jamil.

© Oman Daily Observer 2013