The Sultanate 2011 by Deenar Press and Publishing

Bridging the gap

Strength to strength

Smart banking

Creating opportunities 16

A career in fashion 22

28 24

Focussed growth

Masterpiece of design

Timeless traditions 30

Man of many roles

Spearheading transition 36

44 40

People power

Striking a balance Perseverance pays

Enduring values

Young dynamics 54

64 58

New seeds, renewed nation In the name of God, the compassionate and the merciful. Oman rebounds on its growth trajectory after remaining nearly unscathed by the recent political developments in the region. A quick and judicious government response which included both political moves and economic benefits, succeeded in changing the direction of this movement altogether. The nation was witness to a cabinet reshuffle which included 12 ministers losing their portfolios. Sultan Qaboos, the country’s ruler of over 40 years promised to create 50,000 new jobs, and granted a monthly stipend of RO150 for job-seekers and raised the minimum wage for nationals in the public and private sector.

On the political level, His Majesty established a committee to examine the prospect of granting legislative powers to the 84-member Shura Council, the country’s elected lower house. Instead of abruptly quelling the movement in his country as many other leaders in the region did, Sultan Qaboos bin Said said the demonstrators were “Children of Oman who should be treated wisely.” He opened channels for deliberation and ensured that the youth perspective got the participation it deserved.

through the imagery of its artists. This book pays homage to Omani art and we acknowledge the contribution of Bait al Zubair Foundation and Ghalya’s Museum of Modern Art for sourcing the talents for us.

The Sultanate this year consolidates the views of the policy makers, the visionaries and the youth between its covers. We bring forward the nation to our readers not only through the eyes of the industry and the government, but also

As Oman stands at the cross roads of its rich heritage and its youthful aspirations of a brighter future, we take a step in bridging the gap between the generations.

A special mention needs to be made to Naim al Maimani’s painting, My city and me, which we selected as this year’s cover for The Sultanate. This painting is a comprehensive illustration of what we have tried to put across in words.

Chairman Hatim al Taie

General Manager Rathish Ramachandran

Editor-in-Chief Abdullah al Taie

Asst. General Manager Terry Mathukutty

Published by

Deenar Press & Publishing LLC PO Box 139, PC 102, Al Qurm Sultanate of Oman Tel: +968 24696868 Fax: +968 24693569 Email: info@deenarmedia.com Printed at Oman Printers and Stationers Sultanate of Oman Copyright ÂŠ 2011 Deenar Press & Publishing LLC

Editorial Sujata Sengupta Poornima Ramani Sangeetha Gopi Design Shyniben Koyakkil Muneeb Khan Sales Mary Gonzales Sami Dalwai Leticia Meneses Photography Shakeel al Balushi Translation Mostafa Kamel Omani Artworks courtesy Bait al Zubair Foundation Ghalyaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Museum of Modern Art Cover Art Naim al Maimani

Courtesy: Bait al Zubair Foundation Displayed in Shangri-La Barr al Jissah

Bridging the gap As the industry comes together to share their plans of concretising the Vision 2020 dictate of creating employment for the Omani workforce. Hatim al Taie gives us the inaugural interview with his insight to the emerging nation and its youth

rom the beginning of the renaissance, His Majesty’s focus has been to improve the education sector. Through the years the education sector has proved to be the biggest challenge as well as the best achievement for the country,” says Hatim. The Budget for 2011 has accorded priority to the education and health sectors. It has infused new life into the core sectors of the economy. The education sector finds the significant space in the Five-year Plan, the budget aims for an increase of RO 53mn allocations to hit RO 927mn. This is in addition to a special grant from His Majesty amounting to RO 20mn for distribution of laptops

Hatim al Taie, Chairman, Deenar Press and Publishing 16

sophisticated and modern era, the role of media becomes all the more important.

and computers. These essential expenditures are likely to provide long-term sustainable benefits to the society at large. The allocation for the education sector and vocational training sector is likely to support the goal of achieving the target of 50,000 job creation per annum. With the employable population growing at a good pace, it is inevitable for the government to give focus to this area. The increased allocation of RO 1,262mn for health and education sectors shows the government’s commitment to ensure meeting the inevitable needs of its citizens.

“Hard work, dedication, honesty and commitment are the fundamental blocks to build a secure and happy future. A strong and committed youth is the key to a progressive nation.”

In his message to the youth of Oman Hatim stresses on work ethics. He believes that the youth today have the power to achieve whatever they set their eyes on. “Hard work, dedication, honesty and commitment are the fundamental blocks to build a secure and happy future,” he says. A strong and committed youth is the key to a progressive nation. The country has done and will keep doing its part to ensure the development of the youth, but the responsibility of taking the country ahead lies equally on the shoulders of the young.

“The previous generation made lot of sacrifices and undertook many hardships to rebuild the nation and bring it to where it is today. The current generation has benefitted from this and today they have infinite opportunities available to them. At times the youth take what they get for granted. They do not realise the hardships their forefathers had to go through to bring this day to them. This is where the crux of a generation gap lies,” declares Hatim.

The recent protests that shook the region have opened avenues for discussion within the country. Over the years Oman’s leader has peacefully introduced modern reforms, including universal education and health care, and has managed to avoid the spread of fundamentalism and terrorism. While many rulers in the region have grown out of touch, Oman’s sultan has always taken personal interest in listening to the needs of the common man and remains popular. Unlike the protests elsewhere in the region, the youth of Oman chanted praise for their sultan, Qaboos bin Said. Oman has proved its unique stance once again within the region and the wise leadership of His Majesty stands exemplified.

A veteran from the media industry in Oman, Hatim lays a lot of importance on the role of media in the Omani society. “It is advisable to provide the media the right information to avoid any confusion, the media has to play its part responsibly and its major task is to bridge the gap between the people and the government,” he said. There is no limit to the contribution of media in creating awareness in a society. As the Omani society progresses towards a

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Over the years Oman’s leader has peacefully introduced modern reforms, including universal education and health care, and has managed to avoid the spread of fundamentalism and terrorism

Creating

he Ministry of Manpower strictly follows the royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said regarding job opportunities for the Omani citizen through carefully studied plans for the work market and business activities of the private sector. It pursues an aggressive plan to ensure Omanisation of different jobs and professions and qualify the national manpower. To this end, the Ministry maintains coordination with different private sector organisations and other stakeholders. In an interview to us, the Minister of Manpower, HE ShaikhÂ Abdullah bin Nasser bin Abdullah al Bakri explained the four pronged approach the ministry follows in its bid to implement the national manpower employment programme. It guides job seekers to available job opportunities within the private sector. The ministry trains the unemployed, this training is mingled with the employment programme. The government bears the costs of the training and ensures that the job seekers are qualified to take over the vacancies within the private sector. The Ministry seeks to provide those whose services have been terminated for reasons beyond their control such as layoffs on completion of projects with suitable job opportunities that meet their qualifications, skills and professional experiences. The programme also targets those who voluntarily resigned or have been terminated. This programmes come as a bid by the government

HE SheikhÂ Abdullah bin Nasser al Bakri, Minister of Manpower 18

opportunities the technical facilities and electronic services to ensure smooth transaction between the job seekers and the employers. It ensures hassle free exchange of information on the available training and employment opportunities for the national manpower. This in turn helps the employers to meet the Omanisation requirements in their organisations and develop the capabilities of the national manpower by providing them with the technical and administrative skills needed by the market.

to ensure social stability for the Omani workers within the private sector. Further, the program also targets craftsmen and entrepreneurs through the SANAD offices to benefit from the opportunities and incentives provided to help them. The loan ceiling for the finance of small ventures has been recently raised up to RO50,000. Elaborating on the work of the ministry, HE Shaikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Abdullah al Bakri says that the ministry has developed and facilitated the employment services for the national manpower by:

The ministry of manpower has a huge task chalked out in terms of productively employing the youth of the country. His Excellency, the Minister of Manpower shares his views with us

• Establishing ‘Job Opportunities Bank’ to provide information on vacant positions within various business activities. The information is published on the ministry’s website to enable employers to announce the vacancies in their organisations. It also serves as a platform for job seekers through which they get an idea about the vacancies in various organisations. This website strikes as a meeting point between the supply and demand for national manpower.

• Developing work systems through the manpower directorates. The Ministry has built facilities and halls and equipped them with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure quick processing of applications. It has also opened centres for employment services at Muscat International Airport, major malls, colleges of technology and vocational training centres. There are mobile offices that serve the needs of the wilayats and residential areas that do not have permanent employment offices. The initiatives aim at providing citizens with the services wherever they are. At the same time, it helps the private sector in sourcing required manpower to ensure meeting the stipulated Omanisation targets.

• Providing the technical and administrative facilities that enable companies to interview candidates for training or employment before signing the contract with them. This initiative enables companies to select the right candidates. The successful candidates may receive orientation programmes

• Providing the manpower directors with

Providing vocational guidance to the unemployed to assist them in selecting the profession that matches their abilities and skills is one of the employment services by the ministry

that make them familiar with the work environment in the company. This initiative enhances the stability of the Omanis at their jobs. • Establishing labour offices in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. An office was established in Qatar in 2003 and another one in Dubai in 2005. • Providing vocational guidance to the unemployed to assist them in selecting the profession that matches their abilities and skills. To this end, the ministry publishes a number of manuals and films.

“On the 41st anniversary of the blessed renaissance, I call on the Omani youth to renew their pledge and loyalty to His Majesty the Sultan who leaves no stone unturned to ensure their welfare.”

announces vacancies, and submits applications for expatriate recruitment. It also issues work visas and other services. The website provides information on the vocational training and technical education system in the sultanate.

• Building an integrated and transparent information base for the job market to avail information on the private sector companies, their businesses, the number of Omanis working in these organisations, their qualifications and other information that contribute to the ensuring stability in the work market.

His Excellency concludes by saying, “On the 41st anniversary of the Omani blessed renaissance, I call on the Omani youth to renew their pledge and loyalty to His Majesty the Sultan who leaves no stone unturned to ensure welfare and better standard of living for all Omanis wherever they are. I also call on them to maintain the achievements made and benefit from the available systems by processing their transactions and applications through the internet.”

• Officials from the ministry also take part in implementing the government plan to set up a specialised centre for vocational training at the Ministry of Education. This is to promote vocational trends with the students at an early stage. • Creating a website for the ministry to provide information on its roles and functions, the services provided the aim of the ministry and the achievements made. The website registers job seekers,

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;This work is inspired by traditional Omani wedding ceremonies and is painted in a semi-abstract style. It highlights the colourful dress worn by ladies and the music and movement on such occasionsâ&#x20AC;?

Anwar Sonya

Courtesy

Bait al Zubair Foundation

Celebrations [Oil on canvas]

Smart banking In 1972, there were just three registered banks in the country with about as many branches. The last four decades has seen a meteoric growth in this sector. We talk about the changing times and the responsibility that comes with it

career banker with an experience of over 25 years in the Industry, Abdulaziz al Balushi started his career with Oman International Bank, where he spent 12 years in various capacities and in different areas of banking. He later joined the National Bank of Oman and quickly moved up the hierarchy and became its Deputy CEO. He joined the erstwhile Alliance Housing Bank as its CEO in February 2007 and was actively involved in its conversion to a commercial bank. He is now nurturing the growth of Ahli Bank, creating a distinct position for it in the sultanate’s banking industry. He and

has been able to transform it from a single product bank into a more competitive and full-fledged commercial bank, providing a wide spectrum of services. Abdulaziz reminisces, “I saw a lot of things in the UK, that as a youngster, I wished we had in our homeland. In terms of education, hospitals, road networks, we were far behind the developed countries in those days. But now when I travel, I feel no disparity at all, in fact, we are better in certain areas.” Over the last four decades, Oman under the leadership of His Majesty has shown tremendous progress. The growth has been inclusive and the benefits have disbursed across the country. Most importantly, Oman has achieved stability both politically and economically. Abdulaziz emphasises, “Scaleability with more diversification is never an issue when the fundamentals are built strong.” In his area of work, banking, the nation has seen a transformation from manual to completely automated banking. Omanisation in this particular sector has been very successful and not only at the entry level but also in the middle and the top management positions. This sector is above the asking rate of 90 per cent Omanisation target. “The Board of directors take it as a commitment and the staff as a challenge to go the extra mile as far as training and learning the actual process of banking goes. There are world

Abdulaziz al Balushi, CEO, Ahli Bank

A clear vision and a unique blue-print placed Oman in the world map despite limited resources. We look at the growth of this nation through the years and also focus on the progressive youth of the country

class facilities like the College of Business and Finance ensuring we have a strong resource pool of Omani nationals for the banking sector. Today, we have professional bankers who are Omanis. This is a big achievement for the country,” says Abdulaziz with a smile.

hope to attain the best in class efficiency gauging ratios. Simultaneously, we plan to build and develop a pool of professional bankers and create opportunities for young nationals. Our commitment to the society stays and we endeavour to meet the aspirations of our stakeholders.”

To the youth of Oman Abdulaziz has a clear message, “The youth in this country is fortunate; they do not have to struggle for basic necessities. They must realise that education is the key for self-improvement. Their goalf should be to develop their skill set through experience. They have to be patient and at the same time permissive.” He advises, “Look at loans for productive purposes like starting your own business, higher education abroad, building your own house. Don’t look at loans for unproductive reasons, like buying a car every year or changing your mobile phone. The banking system is a tool to help you grow; use it to your best advantage.”

Ahli Bank is a local bank. The community in which it operates has always been the focus of their business activity. “We have considered this in our product offerings. The Ramadan charities, sponsorships for the development of the youth, for education, and rehabilitation programmes of philanthropic societies engaged with homes for the aged and cancer patients have been a constant feature of Ahli Bank. We have conducted blood donation camps and participated in the social activities of various wilayats across Oman.” In his soft voice, Abdulaziz concludes, “I am proud of Oman and I believe we are blessed to have someone like His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said leading us. I will make my humble contribution to its development by being a good practicing citizen.”

Ahli Bank S.A.O.G., erstwhile Alliance Housing Bank, was born with its new identity on January 5, 2008, following its strategic partnership with Ahli United Bank (AUB), a leading regional commercial bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. Going forward Abdulaziz reiterates, “We plan to diversify our businesses in terms of product offerings and increasing our client base. We

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A career in fashion

faf al Farsi, along with her sister Aida al Farsi, arrives for our meeting accompanied by a mustard-yellow leather bag with a strip of Omani bedouin weaving attached to its chain-strap. In a sense, the styling of the bag perhaps epitomises what Dibaj is all about: giving a fresh context to an almost forgotten era. Born to an emissary, their childhood was an amalgamation of many cultural influences. The cultures of China, Geneva, Morocco and Pakistan naturally find place in their sense of fashion. However, Oman’s stunning mountains and desert happened to be their muse for their winter 2010 collection. The collection was shown at Muscat Fashion Week 2011 in February during the Muscat Festival and earned accolades from fashion critics. The designing style of their grandmother is precious to them. Dibaj’s clothing and jewellery line embodies Oman’s inherent simplicity, attracting attention through elegant, minimalist lines infused with striking Omani accents. “Our grandmother sewed her own gowns; our mother made little dresses for us. While growing up this was a part of our life. Though my degree is in management, I don’t think I could have excelled in that field as I do in fashion designing,” says Afaf. “I had not been able to find the clothes that interest me. That is how I started designing. Seeing the dresses Aida and I wore, friends requested

The designer duo with the models showcasing DIBAJ collection at the Muscat Fashion Week 2011 24

when her friend wore it in Europe.

for similar garments to be made for them. In the beginning it was really small and we worked from our home. We got a lot of positive feedback on our designs. Finally, three years ago, we decided to open our little boutique, Dibaj.”

Dibaj dresses are design studies in flowing, draped, regal fabric, splashes of Omani accents distinguish the garments, with typical Omani embroidery constituting a dress’ neckline or traditional silver thread-work

Dibaj includes dresses that are both suited for day and evening wear as well as garments that can be worn to parties and weddings. “I design clothes that I like to wear. I would not create something that neither of us would wear. I do not like tight fitting clothes, which is one reason why we do not have any in our collections,” explains Afaf. The Omani fashion brand renowned for its loose-fitting luxurious garments has found admirers not only among the local ladies but among Europeans too.

Dibaj, or ‘silk’ in old Arabic, was an inevitable destination for the fashion and design-inclined Al Farsi sisters’ creative journey. Aida remarks that she was the family’s honorary fashion designer, whose designs for dresses and jelabiyas received appreciation from their friends and family. The roles have now become reversed with Afaf supervising the creative and design elements and Aida looking after the management nitty-gritty of their business. “Our collection mostly consists of dresses that are modern with an Omani touch,” says Afaf, pointing out that they identified a need in the market where Omani women wished to dress in contemporary, figure-flattering yet culturally-appropriate garments.

Apart from their clothing collection, the sisters have also launched a jewellery line. “In the past, our women wore traditional jewellery all the time; it is no longer the case now,” says Aida. “We were interested in younger people wearing it as well.” The sisters thus strove to re-present exquisite examples of Omani jewellery workmanship in a contemporary spirit, thus rendering the jewellery wearable and trendy. Having picked up antique jewellery pieces from Muttrah and Nizwa, to name a few places, they envelop it in 24 karat gold prior to combining it with threads, leather, semi-precious stones, wood and beads. For example, Afaf is wearing a spiked Omani bangle along with magenta thread wrapped further down around her wrist, having alternately styled the wearing of the bangle. “Plus, the spiked element makes something antique so edgy

Dibaj dresses are design studies in flowing, draped, regal fabric; yet, splashes of Omani accents distinguish the garments, with typical Omani embroidery constituting a dress’ neckline or traditional silver thread-work enlivening a nude-toned lace dress. “These are garments that we can wear both in Oman as well as abroad,” Afaf says, describing the overwhelmingly positive reception a Dibaj dress received

and so ‘today’,” points out Afaf, who also wears what used to be a kohl applicator as a pendant strung on knotted chocolate brown thread. At the Muscat Fashion Week, the duo introduced a new dimension to hand jewellery, colourful bands that wrapped the wrist on which bangles and cuffs would rest. The sheen of gold against the royal reds and purples pulled the crowd’s eye. All models wearing the Dibaj collection at the Muscat Fashion Week similarly wore the Dibaj jewellery line as well.

“In this country the possibilities are endless for every man and woman. If you have the drive and the talent, you can make a name for yourself. Women are very empowered in this society.” Aida al farsi

Speaking about inspiration, Afaf says, “I get inspired mostly by my travels, and also by what I see around me. The biggest patron of our work in Oman, HH Sayyida Ghalya bint Fahr bin Taimour al Said, is also my strongest inspiration. Her love for art and passion towards anything creative urges designers like us to strive for the best.” Though they plan to showcase their line all over the world, Oman remains special in their eyes. sisters agree that for ages Omani women had the knack of entrepreneurship. Today, it is seeing the light of the day.

Aida elaborates, “In this country there are no limits to what one can achieve. The possibilities are endless for every man and woman. If you have the drive and the talent, you can make a name for yourself. It is safe for women to work here. Women are very empowered in this society.” The

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Aida al Farsi & Afaf al Farsi

“My paintings are inspired by Oman, its culture and people. Most of my paintings are about women and landscapes, using bright colours. I love the colourful dress of Omani women.”

Alia al Farsi

Faces [mixed media]

Courtesy Ghalya’s Museum of Modern Art

Old Omani Traditional Village [Acrylic on Canvas]

Strength to strength A clear vision and a unique blue-print placed Oman in the world map despite limited resources. We look at the growth of this nation through the years and also focus on the progressive youth of the country

man has transformed into a country that the world notices today. Just a few decades back, it was an isolated country, shut off from the majority of the world. Akber Mustafa Sultan, managing director of the Mustafa Sultan Enterprise (MSE) has lived in Oman continuously through the renaissance. He shares vivid memories of a walled country and the progress that it has made since those days. “When His Majesty assumed power there was no infrastructure available to develop the nation. He built the entire nation from scratch. The first phase of his reign was

devoted to strengthening human resources. Schools were built, education was introduced to the girl child, and medical facilities were vastly improved. We are lucky that His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has vision, foresight and a solid education to back it. He is well travelled and it was a culmination of all these that helped him to develop a model that best suited this country.” The post-World War II rise of Singapore is a success story that Akber quotes fondly. However, he states that there is no standard model of development for countries. Oman has taken a road towards development that best suited it. A unique path that did not leave its culture behind, the nation held on to its identity, took into consideration its capabilities, resources, and did not succumb to any external pressure. A recent example to this fact is, Oman staying away from the GCC proposal of a unified currency. Vision 2020 was the result of strategic foresight and meticulous planning. Akber reiterates, “I believe in His Majesty’s policies. I would like to emphasise that we might not be among the top few countries of the world, but we are better off than many others. We are lucky to have His Majesty as our ruler. The government’s response to the needs of this country has been fast and correct. This includes the recent demands of the youth. We are lucky to have a system of legislation that is open to dialogue. We must support each other

Akber Mustafa Sultan, Managing Director, MSE

Mustafa Sultan Enterprises has established a joint venture with Voltas Limited, a global air conditioning and engineering services company. Named Voltas Oman LLC, the new company focuses on the execution of electro-mechanical projects in the Sultanate of Oman, in the field of mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP).

and move ahead together with fruitful dialogue.”

“The government’s response to the needs of this country has been fast and correct. This includes the recent demands of the youth. We are lucky to have a system of legislation that is open to dialogue.”

In his succinct message to the youth, Akber says, “Don’t be shy to take advice from experienced people and recognise change when you see it. Don’t be afraid of change. Change is good for everybody from businesses to government. Grab any opportunity that change brings and use it to better yourself. Resisting change will only get you stuck and left behind. ” On the other side Akber cautions against over confidence and states that it leads to complacency. Integrity and ethics are traits that will take the youth over many hurdles. As future leaders of this beautiful country the youth need to be proactive and understand the dignity of labour.

Akber Sultan says, “Mustafa Sultan as an individual has always propagated the idea of giving back to society. As a natural follow through of the founder’s vision, the company recognises its responsibility to society. We contribute to the health facilities of the country by supply and service of latest equipment, at times giving them on a subsidised rate.” All good causes are supported whole heartedly by the group. This includes training of the national workforce within the organisation. “I sincerely believe that education is the key to growth. When an employee grows, so does the company. To this end, we are flexible with our working hours to accommodate deserving Omanis who want to pursue higher studies,” smiles Akber.

Committed to its vision since its inception in 1972, Mustafa Sultan Enterprises has emerged as a premier group in the Sultanate of Oman. It has a glorious entrepreneurial history spurred by Mustafa A. Sultan. The group today has diversified interests and is organised into various subsidiaries. With business interests as diversified as consumer electronics, security and communications, medical and industrial equipment, consumer and industrial lighting, telecommunications and VSAT, information technology, office equipment, defense equipment, restaurants, money exchange, insurance, real estate, entertainment, and logistics, to name a few.

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Focused growth Learn the ropes to head a business; a proven road to success. With clear goals and steadfast perseverance, there is little that can stop the youth today from attaining the heights they aspire to achieve

mmar al Saleh went abroad for higher studies at the impressionable age of 14. He returned after ten years and started learning the ropes of the business that he would head one day. Today, as executive director of Oman Holdings International Company (OHI), he says, “On my return I saw the country with maturity and understanding. I admire the strides Oman has taken in almost all spheres in such a short period of time. His Majesty’s vision has led the country from isolation to becoming a bright spot on the world map today. We have not emulated the

other countries in this region, time and again proving that Oman is definitely the ‘Jewel of Arabia’. Being a young and emerging country, we are still on the learning curve. It is also easier for us to go back and rectify any possible errors that might have occurred in formulating policies.” It is with a lot of effort that the previous generation has brought the country so far. It is now the responsibility of the youth to take it forward. Ammar looks for clarity and focus when he recruits trainees for OHI. “Start from the bottom. The best way to learn is to go up the ranks. You are fresh with new ideas and rearing to go; don’t aim to sit in an office and let others do the work, as this will only stop your learning curve and make you complacent. Rather, understand each step that goes into making the final product. Be part of a team, get guidance from as many managers as you can, each will impart you with their share of knowledge. This will only help you,” advises Ammar. Oman Holdings International Company has come a long way from its modest beginnings almost three decades ago. As one of the premier business houses in the sultanate, they dedicate their success to the enduring partnerships the company enjoys with their principals, collaborators, customers, business associates, employees and shareholders. Right from its inception, OHI has been built on one single belief,

Ammar al Saleh, Executive Director, OHI

underprivileged children from Dar al Atta’a, this dream came true.

the power of partnerships. Through the years, the strong partnerships with local partners and overseas principals have created enduring results. Today, OHI is a premier corporate house in the Sultanate of Oman, with business interests ranging from contracting, telecommunications, hospitality, real estate, communications and IT solutions to marine, petroleum and energy services in the core industrial sector.

“We chose Disney because it is every child’s dream to go there, meet their favourite cartoon characters and live out their fantasies. To provide this opportunity to the underprivileged children, we made this humble contribution.”

“We chose Disney because it is every child’s dream to go there, meet their favourite cartoon characters and live out their fantasies. Some can afford to go to Disneyland, while others cannot. In order to provide this opportunity to the underprivileged children, who otherwise cannot afford such a trip, we decided to make this humble contribution. We believe that these children also deserve the best in life. It was our intention to give them an experience that they will really cherish all their lives,” says Ammar. The trip was planned giving attention to the minutest of details so that the kids can truly have the best time in Disneyland, Hong Kong. Prior to the trip OHI handed out fun merchandise like T-shirts, caps and masks of famous Disney characters to the children. Guided by the vision of His Majesty, Ammar sees this trip as a humble contribution to the Omani society, especially the children, who are the future of the country.

A belief in the power of building partnerships with staff, principals, customers, vendors, shareholders and the community to script enduring success is the mission of this company. Taking it forward Ammar states, “In the coming three years, I want to see OHI on the world map. I want our group to prosper in all sectors. We want to be part of the developing markets, especially South America and Africa. We want to make a mark in these countries. This is a better strategy than targeting already saturated markets and competing with bigger sharks.” On a humane level, OHI has always tried to seize the opportunity to give back to society. Causes of education, environment and the less fortunate have always found a patron in this company. OHI partnered with Dar al Atta’a last year, in the spirit of celebration, and launched the ‘Bring a Smile’ campaign. An exclusive week-long trip was organised to Disneyland – every child’s idea of a dream holiday. And for 40

As the company sets the pace for its 35th year in business, Ammar is upbeat about the nation, the youth and visionary policies of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. nnnnnn

Timeless traditions

framed photograph greets us as we enter Anil Khimji’s office in the Khimji Ramdas head office. The photograph taken in the 1960s shows a young Anil filling up a Mercedes at one of the shell pumps owned by the Khimjis then. “I started working in 1967 as an employee with Khimji Ramdas. The group was into trading, construction and building materials at that time. My father and uncle were very strict on work ethics. They expected hard work and dedication from all of us,” says Anil Khimji. This leads us to the topic of the new generation today. “The country has come this far through the vision of His Majesty and the labours of our generation. We have seen the country taking shape and we were charged up to bring in this change,” reminisces Anil. Considering that the majority of the Omani population is young, it is very important to channelise them effectively. Anil bhai feels the Omani women bring in tremendous sincerity to their job. For shoppers in Omani malls, seeing a young woman scanning purchased goods at the checkout and tallying the bill is a familiar sight. Omani women entered many fields of employment, including hotel customer service, sales and marketing, and leadership trainings, where women’s presence is not limited to senior positions such as business managers or supervisors. They are

Anil Khimji, Director, Khimiji Ramdas 32

Anil has been accepting business challenges from an early age and has been the guiding force for the growth of global brands, especially in the watches and luxury and lifestyle segments. Speaking on the lifestyle group of Khimji Ramdas, Anil says, “Rolex was the first luxury brand in watches that we brought to Oman. Initially we sourced Rolex from Aden for our clients. As clientele grew in Oman for the brand we got our own agency. Once Rolex was in, the other brands followed in quick succession.” The first lifestyle store was started in Muttrah a little less than 30 years ago. Since then the lifestyle group encompasses luxury lifestyle products, computers and communication systems, education and training, and restaurant businesses of Khimji Ramdas. It holds the franchise for some of the world’s most prestigious lifestyle brands in perfumes, cosmetics, apparel, luggage, sunglasses, writing equipment and gift items. The Watches division in its showroom of international standards houses exclusive timepieces and accessories from Rolex, Cartier, Piaget, Bell & Ross, IWC, Oris, Chopard and Gerald Genta.

impressive in their skills and not intimidated by long hours that need to be put in. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has always propagated dignity of labour and it is crucial that the youth internalise this to their and the country’s benefit.

One of the biggest business conglomerates in the Sultanate of Oman built on a legacy of trust and commitment shares the thought process that brought them so far

Self-worth and confidence are valuable traits for the youth. Education is a key to this. Oman has achieved a remarkable feat in the education sector at the primary as well as secondary levels. There is still scope for improvement in the tertiary or the vocational training segment. The curriculum has to undergo a change and become more skill based. The Khimji Training Institute (KTI) is a government approved and leading training institute in Oman undertaking training programmes in government funded projects for omanisation, management and sales training and information technology. KTI was the first to pioneer IT education in Oman. Today it is the master franchisee of NIIT, a global leader in providing IT education, in Oman as well as the entire GCC region. Anil Khimji advises the youth to make use of the opportunities that the government is providing them and to invest time and effort in education and honing of skills. He also propagates investments to secure their future. A wise investment is not only beneficial to the person but to the country as well.

“Going a step ahead for the Rolex brand, we are introducing a new workshop to service and repair the watches by trained personnel from Rolex, Geneva. This workshop will be above the Khimji Megastore in Ruwi. It will be the biggest workshop of its kind in this region,” says Anil bhai. “It is important to

service the existing clients and give the brands that are already with us a powerful presence in the country,” he adds. The new generation of the Khimji Ramdas group is keen to take the group ahead and is full of new ideas. The emphasis is now on establishing the existing brands and in the process giving the customers a good shopping experience with world class after-sale servicing.

“Rolex was the first luxury brand in watches that we brought to Oman. Initially we sourced Rolex from Aden for our clients. As clientele grew in Oman for the brand we got our own agency.”

Khimji Ramdas group provides wholehearted support to organisations that are working towards the betterment of society with particular attention to children with special needs, the diffently-abled, education, health and welfare, local economic development, environment and sports. Apart from the philanthropy, the group also believes that entrepreneurial ventures and small businesses will play an important role in job creation and Omanisation. Khimji Ramdas group has always maintained that though in the short term Omanisation may seem like a detriment to revenue streams and present operational challenges to businesses, it is the only way forward. The private organisations with the support of the government must ensure that more Omanis are gainfully employed and gradually they take up the role of future leaders.

The motivation of Anil bhai to this day remains the happiness and wellbeing of the people around him. To this end he ensures there are smiles around him at home and at work. nnnnnn

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The portrait shows the room where the bridegroom and bride spend the marriage consummation day. The room is usually decorated with mirror and coloured marble. In the past, it was difficult for many families to purchase all the accessories for this room so they borrowed some items from the neighbours. The bridegroom and bride meet for the first time in this room. In some cases the bridegroom covers his face and in other cases the opposite. In the past it was not uncommon for the bride to refuse consummation of the marriage after seeing the groom.â&#x20AC;? hassan meer

The Rejection [photography on art paper]

Masterpiece of design

amid al Ghazali, project director of the iconic Royal Opera House in Muscat spent his formative years in Kuwait. He came back to Oman as a high school student in 1972. Talking about his early impressions of Oman, al Ghazali says, “I have to admit, that as a teenager coming from Kuwait, I was shocked to see the lack of development in the country. But even back then, the beauty of the land captured me. It took time to adjust myself to the new surroundings. Everything from my Arabic dialect to my lifestyle had to undergo a big change. It was amidst all this that I gradually started to appreciate His Majesty’s vision and the way this vision got implemented. From dirt roads to the planned road network we see today is nothing short of amazing. I have lived through the renaissance, seen the country taking shape from scratch.” Explaining the architectural style of Oman, al Ghazali says “When I was young I wanted to see skyscrapers here, but with maturity I realise that Oman stands unique in this region. We have developed our own architectural style keeping our rich heritage intact. We have not aped neighbouring countries and this draws appreciation from every tourist who visits Oman. It takes a lot of courage and integrity to stand firm and create a route, when everybody else is following trends. We have achieved this feat, again as part of His Majesty’s vision.”

Hamid al Ghazali, Project Director, Royal Opera House 36

high profile steering committee to overlook the project headed by HH Fahd al Said. They conduct site inspections and provide intense follow ups in order to achieve the objective under strict standards. The Shatti al Qurm area has been developed to receive the first three-lane boulevard in the country. Additionally, on the southern side of the Royal Opera House a belt road is being constructed that will enable direct access to the new parking facility and to the Sultan Qaboos highway. “The Royal Opera House is something that all the GCC countries are going to be proud of and will be a route for cultural exchange with the world. I hope it is going to add a positive print on to the world map,” adds Hameed.

The Royal Opera House is slated to open amidst a huge fanfare by the end of this year. The last few months of the year will be a series of theatrical treat for the connoisseurs of art and culture in this country, as they witness the best performances from around the world. Talking about the project, Hamid al Ghazali says, “For His Majesty cultural exchange is very important. That is his way to of connecting with the world. Since the 90s His Majesty had the vision to build a cultural landmark in Oman. The dream formulated itself into the Royal Opera House design in 2007. Today we are ready to inaugurate the project and offer it as a gift to the people of this country.”

With just a few months to its grand opening, the Royal Opera House in Muscat is only the second building of its kind in the Middle East. It has turned a lot of heads since it was first announced in 2001

Set in the ideal location of the Shatti al Qurm area on an 80,000sqm plot, the Royal Opera House will act as a multi-purpose theatre house to enrich Omani culture. “The project is His Majesty’s gift to the nation and will be used for various high profile activities, be it operas, plays or musicals; the intention is to have an active centre,” says al Ghazali. The theatre will have a seating capacity of 1,100 with a 32 million high fly tower that will facilitate theatrical works of all sorts. Eng. Ghazali, who is very passionate towards about the completion of His Majesty’s vision, feels the project will be a milestone in the cultural history of Oman.

Al Ghazali with his team of engineers travelled extensively to study the best opera houses all over the world. Today he can confidently say that the Royal Opera House in Muscat is at par with the world’s best theatrical environment. In fact, the Royal Opera House, Muscat has a feature that is not available yet, in any other opera house. This is the seven inch libretto attached to every seat in the theatre. An interactive screen that will give subtitles in four different languages for every programme that is being housed. This screen can be used for voting, accessing information on future events of the Royal Opera House and many other things. This feature is a first of its kind for Opera opera houses anywhere in

His Majesty has been following the progress of the project closely. He has appointed a

“The project is His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s gift to the nation and will be used for various high profile activities, be it operas, plays or musicals; the intention is to have an active centre”

is a universal youth trait, not limited to Oman. A message, if I have to give one, to the youth, is to appreciate what has been achieved. The nation has limited resources, and we are diversifying into areas that can reap revenues, the young people must put in the hard work and be ready to give the nation their toil,” ends al Ghazali, with an optimistic smile.

the world, and definitely a thing of pride for al Ghazali. Hamid al Ghazali believes that a country can stand on its foot only by the wholehearted support of its youth. “We have lived through the development of this country, we have seen the dedication and the hardships faced in giving shape to what we see today. The youth tends to take this development for granted. This of course,

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Royal Opera House – Auditorium rendering with theatre mode

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This semi-abstract piece details windows, doors, balconies, mosque domes and minarets with elements of domestic adornment and Islamic design. It is inspired by the architecture of Muscat and Muttrah and is interwoven with childhood memories and a sense of community.â&#x20AC;?

naim al maimani

Courtesy

Bait al Zubair Foundation

My City and Me [Oil and gold leaf on canvas]

Spearheading transition

he Zubair corporate office is a pleasure to walk through. It embodies the spirit of the nation in every corner. From the varied landscapes that adorn the wall to the rich woodwork in every niche, this corporate holds the traditions of the nation very close to heart. It was in this setting that we met Hani al Zubair, executive chairman, Zubair Automotive Group. “In Oman basic infrastructure is taken for granted today. No power cuts, airconditioned spaces, beautiful roads and plush cars. This was not the scenario, when I was growing up. Our family had properties in Muscat and Seeb. In the summer months we would move to Seeb as it was cooler than Muscat. Every time there was a power cut, we would sit by the swimming pool and dip our feet in it to help us cool down. I remember my grandmother telling us stories while we waited for the electricity to come back on,” reminisces Hani. Expressing pride over the country’s progress Hani stresses, “I am very proud to have witnessed the phenomenal transformation of our nation during the four decades of the renaissance. During this period, we have made enormous strides as a nation - moving forward in all directions in a constantly changing environment of technology and commerce, and aligning them to a managed growth and development strategy.”

Hani al Zubair, Executive Chairman, Zubair Automotive Group 40

century,” says a beaming Hani. Oman has enjoyed continual growth with welfare. This has helped create a strong private sector, better infrastructure and more employment alongside vast improvements in health and education. The pace of development has ensured sustainable progress in all areas.

Talking about the national manpower Hani says, “The success of our nation depends on the talent and commitment of our young people. I am confident that our commitment to education and training will ensure that we lay the groundwork for success in the future. Omanisation has been implemented in a planned and sustained manner ensuring that young Omanis have the skills and aptitude they require to take on more complex and demanding career paths.”

From sharing childhood memories to taking on the role of a profit centre head, Hani al Zubair walks the road with us and shares his love for the country he calls home

There is no shortcut to success and there is nothing that cannot be achieved if you are willing to work hard for it. “The opportunities for young people wanting to progress their careers in Oman are increasing daily, and are now more aligned with international standards than ever before. I genuinely believe it is a great time to be a young Omani. We are providing higher standards of education, more training, more technical and vocational courses than ever before in our colleges, more jobs and more entrepreneurial opportunities,” states Hani. It needs commitment, dedication and motivation to succeed and Hani believes that the Omani youth has the traits and the attitude required to be successful and they are set to demonstrate this more than ever in the years ahead.

The doors to the world are open wide through tourism and increasing levels of international commerce. The young Omanis are becoming proud ambassadors for the sultanate. They welcome visitors and business partners from all over the world to engage with and undertake business ventures. The transformation scale of Oman has managed to strike the right balance in taking the entire nation forward. Hani al Zubair believes that for a young country the pace of development must be managed at a rate that the nation can live with. One of the keys to the sultanate’s success has been its measured growth strategy. “A strategy that has ensured we embrace the modern world and the best it has to offer and yet remain true to our heritage and tradition. This blend has made us a thriving, confident and proud nation of the 21st

Talking about the plans for Zubair Automotive Group (ZAG) in the next three years, Hani explains that ZAG will celebrate its own 40th anniversary in this timeframe. To mark the group’s continuing role as a leader in the automotive sector in Oman

various innovative and quality products will be introduced to the new and existing customer base across the sultanate. “We will continue to deliver the best possible levels of service and after care and continually introduce new, exciting and leading edge products into the market. This is across our core car and SUV brands and our watercraft brands and commercial vehicle and truck divisions as well. As a business we will continue to put our customers first, ensuring they can get great vehicles at great prices, excellent servicing and after care and enjoy an experience with the Zubair Automotive Group that is driven by the quality of our staff,” says a proud Hani al Zubair.

“A strategy that has ensured we embrace the modern world and the best it has to offer and yet remain true to our heritage and tradition. This blend has made us a thriving, confident and proud nation of the 21st century.”

The Zubair Group has always been aware of the importance of being a good corporate citizen and has actively given back to the society and community. Elaborating further Hani adds, “We have never taken our success or growth for granted and have valued the enormous support and commitment of our own staff, our suppliers and business partners as our business has grown. That is why over the years we have pledged our support to major initiatives both in and outside the company. We support youth and entrepreneurship, major charitable initiatives, national sporting occasions, cultural festivals and of course creating the Bait aI Zubair Museum that showcases so much of our rich Omani history and heritage.”

country and the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Hani concludes the interview by saying, “At the Zubair Group we offer our sincere thanks to His Majesty for his guidance and support to the nation for the past 40 years. He has put the structures and systems in place that allow its citizens to succeed and prosper. His policies have been prudent, resourceful and always putting the nation first.”

Pledging his support and solidarity to the

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“This is an abstract art and shows my memory of old Muscat and Muttrah.”

idrees al hooti

Courtesy Ghalya’s Museum of Modern Art

The Shadows [acrylic on canvas]

Man of many roles

orn and brought up in Oman, Jamil Ali Sultan has been abroad for 13 years, travelling to Jordan, UK and Kuwait, after completing his secondary education here. Currently assuming the offices of one of the directors of WJ Towell & Co., the vicechairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), director-in-charge of the printing division, the telecommunications, the IT and the medical firm of the Towell group and the co-director for a few of the Towell companies, the development of his country comes as no surprise to him. “Oman started off from scratch. From two or three schools in Muscat and one in Salalah, Oman today has above 1,000 schools, and from one hospital the country has grown to hundreds. There have also been infrastructural developments in the administration and civil affairs from the small offices we had back then,” reflects Jamil Ali. Oman has witnessed economic and sociocultural transformation under His Majesty’s reign. A strong fact remains that development has been uniform throughout all sectors in Oman. When asked to exemplify Jamil Ali quotes, “Oman is on the frontline in almost all sectors, internationally. Oman has one of the best telecommunications systems in the world. We have very good road systems and some of our hospitals have the best medical facilities as well. We cannot claim to be number one, but we are in the frontline.” WJ Towell Group of Companies was set up

Jamil Ali Sultan, Director, WJ Towell & Co 44

struck Oman. The album according to Jamil Ali, documents how Oman was during and after the cyclone Gonu, the transition which, he added, was made possible only with the help of each and every citizen.

in 1866 as a family business. Starting off as a commodities trading establishment, WJ Towell is today, one of the leading private sector organisations in Oman with diverse business interests in property, trade, industry and services. “Our plan is to become one of the biggest groups with different businesses in the coming years. We have a number of projects in the pipeline. For example, in real estate and property, one of our biggest projects is the Madinat Sultan Qaboos properties. We also have other locations where we will be working on projects for the youth and low-income group families,” beams Jamil Ali.

Jamil Ali Sultan dons numerous roles of director, co-director and vice-chairman with grace. He is all praise for the developments in his homeland and his eyes speak of the achievements

Talking about OCCI, for which he is the vicechairman, Jamil Ali states, “It is the Ministry of Commerce and Industry which actually puts things in order. The OCCI represents the interests of the private sector. Our plan is always to set rules and regulations to enhance production and also to procure the best for the industries which will enable them to compete with markets, both at the local and international level.”

He strongly believes that everyone, from a child to the eldest person must think and work towards the well-being of the society and the country. He opined that it is a part of one’s life and responsibility to give one’s best in whatever one does. Citing an example, Jamil Ali explains, “During the cyclone Gonu, in 2007, citizens played their part in lending a helping hand. As a responsible citizen, WJ Towell played its part too in helping people through the different social associations and also through our own people, our staff and family members. A good measure of our budget was allocated to building houses, of which some were newly built and some, re-built.” He adds that an album maintained by the company speaks volumes of the efforts put in by the citizens to recoup from the natural calamity that

His advice to the youth in light of his years of experience and his exposure to varied culture and lifestyles during his travel, is, “Challenges are big and we have to be patient. We have to be united and work together as a team. Keep away from destroying what has been built as it is easy to destroy but very difficult to build.” Jamil Ali, lighting up with happiness and respect when talking about His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, exclaims, “God bless you (His Majesty). You have done good deeds for the country which has become a landmark for the other countries. We are all with you and we wish you good health and long life.” nnnnnn

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This diptych shows travel worn traditional vessels structured from Arabic calligraphy resting in the safe harbour of Sur, my home town and famous historical port city. I use calligraphy to define my rhythmic compositions with themes derived from poetry, music, architecture, landscape and traditional cultural elements.â&#x20AC;?

mohammed al sayegh

Courtesy:

Bait al Zubair Foundation

Maritime Heritage [Oil on canvas]

“This depicts the history of sailing, the voyage taken by sailors and the waiting that is done by the people back on the coast for the sailors to return.”

Ayoob Maling al Balushi

Courtesy Ghalya’s Museum of Modern Art

The Sailor [Sculpture on marble]

People power The importance of the partnership between the majlis, the media and civil society cannot be stressed enough. These institutions play a very important role in the process of building a modern state

gently sprawling valley floor surrounded by moonscapes and mountains, that is Al Hamra. Date palm gardens, mud-and-brick neighbourhoods and burbling streams are the very essence of this region. Jabal Shams, the highest mountain in Oman, the village of Misfah, Al Hootah cave, Hasat bin Salt, Bait al Safa and Bait al Shari’ah are the main tourist attractions in this wilayat. The wilayat is also known for its tradition, folklore, arts and cuisine. The government is making endeavours to boost tourism by implementing a number of projects to rehabilitate and develop its tourist attractions.

HE Malik Hilal al Abri, Majlis A’Shura member representing Al Hamra, says, “The Royal Decree 39/2011 grants legislative and audit powers to the Council of Oman. This means that each Shura member has a very big role to play in bringing in positive results. A Shura Council member represents his wilayat in particular and the sultanate in general. “I am making endeavours to ensure that that development process of my region goes as planned and that the infrastructure projects are completed within the specified timelines,” he adds, explaining his role as the majlis representative of Al Hamra. He attributes the achievements and development witnessed by this country to the wisdom, deep insight and balanced development steered by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. He adds, “While we have made impressive achievements in all walks of life, we have to put in more effort to attract local and foreign investments to the region. There is a lot of tourism potential in the Al Hamra region. The region provides good opportunities for setting up hotels, rest houses, and activities involving cable cars and hot air balloons.” On the economic front, a joint stock company has been incorporated to take part in the development of the wilayat and provide job opportunities for the youth of Al Hamra. The region is prioritising to maintain and rehabilitate

HE Malik Hilal al Abri, Majlis A’Shura member

An independent media promotes credibility, transparency and objectivity. “It will help us maximise the benefit of our physical and human resources and achieve goals that ensure a bright future.”

of the different civil institutions. We also seek to have a free and independent media playing its role alongside the executive, legislative and judicial authorities.”

the old districts that have stood the test of time. Unlike the crumbling mud-and-brick neighbourhoods of Adam, Nizwa and other regions, Al Hamra’s traditional settlements are largely intact. Unlike the clustered homes of other famous regions, Al Hamra’s old towns are largely independent units laid out along the slopes of the hills. Rooms are generally spacious and airy, and designed with a view to keeping the heat out and the cool in. Ceilings are exquisitely painted with Islamic and geometric patterns, and windows adorned with graceful carvings. In the early years of the sultanate’s renaissance, most of these settlements were abandoned by their inhabitants for the comfort and convenience of modern brick dwellings. A few people opted to remain in their traditional homes, which have since been reinforced and strengthened against the elements, and generally refurbished with modern amenities. In fact, these traditional settlements are now an important part of Al Hamra’s unquestionably rich heritage. One of the goals of the Majlis representative is to highlight the prioritised areas and assist the government in achieving the developmental goal.

An independent media promotes credibility, transparency and objectivity. It is an ideal platform through which ethics and values can be promoted. Seeking cooperation from the media, al Abri says, “An independent media will help us maximise the benefit of our physical and human resources and achieve goals that ensure a bright future for the coming generations.” In his message to the youth of the country, HE Malik al Abri says that Oman has always been a land known for its peace, security and safety. This has always been the guiding force for all the developmental activities here. He adds, “I advise myself and others to cooperate and join hands to maintain security and preserve the achievements made throughout the last four decades. We must be guards and protectors for the achievements made during the last few decades. While keeping pace with the requirements of the modern age and embracing new technologies, we must ensure that Omani traditions and values are not sacrificed. Another primary goal should be to become a knowledge-based society.” It is time to be rational rather than emotional and focus on a solution rather than the problem.

HE Malik al Abri says, “We seek to enhance the institutional state and the rule of law. We are trying to regularise the decision making process. We want the responsibility to be collective rather than single handed. We seek to expand the role of the Council of Oman in decision making and enhance the participation

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Perseverance pays

o become truly great one has to stand with people and not above them.’ This quote defines Maqbool Ali Salman, managing director, Al Hassan Group of Companies. After his primary education, Maqbool went to Karachi, Pakistan to complete his higher studies. In his words, “I came back to Oman in 1975. It was the best time to be a young Omani. The country was taking shape and there was immense opportunity for everybody to seize.”Maqbool started his career with the Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO) as a senior officer. However, coming from a business family, the germs of entrepreneurship had already been seeded in him. The young Maqbool also believed strongly that “we must create businesses which are reflections of ourselves because only then one gets an opportunity for truly wonderful selfexpression”. He wanted to create a business not in shadow but in light, that gives him choice and supports what he stood for in life. “I worked towards expanding the shop after my duty hours in PDO. Soon it became clear to me, where my purpose lay. Also, being a man of conscience, I could not continue working for PDO and running my private business at the same time. That is when I decided to leave my job in PDO and test myself with this business for the next couple of years,” says Maqbool. With the philosophy of clean and judicious

Maqbool Ali Salman, Managing Director, Al Hassan Group of Companies 50

The road from a single electrical shop to a group with 11 companies and one joint venture operating in Oman and the UAE, employing a multi-cultural workforce has been strewn with courage and dedication

joint venture with India based Asian Paints Group for manufacturing paints under the name Berger Paints Oman. A long journey indeed, from the humble beginnings of a shop in Muttrah.

business and the help and guidance of his elder brother, Hassan bin Ali Salman, Maqbool concentrated on the shop. “Those days the trend was to own different types of businesses. A single person would own a laundry shop, a foodstuff store, a meat shop and also an electrical shop. I did not believe in this concept. I wanted to focus on one business area and develop that,” says Maqbool. As the business grew, and a strong set of clientele emerged the business grew from selling electrical products to installing the products for some client. After a few years of being in business, manufacturing of switchgears started. Maqbool states, “We understood the market requirement better and the weather conditions prevailing here was very different from the country we were importing the panels from. We started manufacturing small panels and slowly took up highly technical and complex jobs for the multinational companies. This way, we made an entry into the energy business with transmission lines and power stations.”

As a major local contracting company in Oman, which was established around 35 years ago, Al Hassan Engineering Co. (AHEC) have built many power plants, gas processing plants, oil and gas pipelines, water treatment plants singly and in joint venture with international partners. Today, Al Hassan’s original trading business has grown by leaps and bounds. From one showroom in Al Hamriya it has grown to become a network of six own showrooms (five in Muscat and one in Buraimi) and 400 plus dealers serviced from its warehouses by its own fleet of vehicles. Talking about the changing times Maqbool remembers, “Our parents had a tough life. There was no electricity, not even paved roads. My generation of Omanis built all that. At times, I feel the next generation is getting things on a platter. But then again every time has its own merits and demerits.” This is also the vision propagated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Talking about the overall growth of the country Maqbool says, “His Majesty has managed to spread the development process in a uniform way throughout the country. The disparity between

With the same philosophy, we went into electrical contracting, gradually developing it into multi-faceted contracting in power, oil and gas and petrochemicals. Today, the multi-million rial Al Hassan Group has a mammoth presence in contracting, trading and manufacturing. It comprises 11 companies and has also moved into Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. Al Hassan also has a

provinces has been kept to a minimum. Be it education or the health sector, every village of the country has a school and a health centre in place. All this is a result of the personal time that His Majesty spends with his people. The royal tours every year ensure that problems are solved at grass root levels by the Sultan himself.”

“His Majesty has managed to spread the development process in a uniform way throughout the country. The disparity between provinces has been kept to a minimum. Every village has a school and a health centre in place”

As the nation emerges, the time is set for the youth to take over a leading role in nation building. In his message to the young Omanis, Maqbool says, “Do not be complacent. Work hard and keep your work ethics very clean.” Maqbool rightly claims that for the Omani youth it is not just career building, like the expatriates here. It is a dual responsibility, unlike an expatriate who has come here for a fixed period of time, the Omani youth should realise that this country belongs to him; they have to develop it and take it forward. The expatriate is here for his special skills, he will do justice to his job, impart knowledge and leave when the time comes, but the local youth has the responsibility of not just doing a good job, but the ancillary role of nation building as well. He has to build a tradition. His goal is to become a good product for the country, he must go all out to learn, and build himself and thereby the nation. Maqbool rightly points out, “There is no shortcut to hard work or to experience. Experience is a process. Every manager will impart a skill and attitude to you and it is up to you to take it or let it go.”

Maqbool Ali Salman stresses on developing more Omani leadership. He wants the private sector to identify future leaders and invest in developing them. This is where he wants more support from the government in terms of incentives. He also wants to see more improvement in the SMEs in Oman. “The talent of the local men and women has to be productively channelised into mainstream cooperatives. This will boost their source of income as well as generate employment in the interiors,” says Maqbool. nnnnnn

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I focus on nature and painting the diverse landscape of Oman. This painting is based on the iconic arch in the mountains near Barr Al Jissah, which the sea flows through, and in the distance you can see Al Jalali fort in Muscat.â&#x20AC;?

salim al harthy

Courtesy

Bait al Zubair Foundation

Barr al Jissah Arch [Oil on canvas]

Striking a balance

ince 1970, Oman has seen massive growth in all sectors of society including its industry and infrastructure. “Inspite of industrial growth, our country has always shown a keen concern towards protecting its environment. Oman is rich in the biodiversity of wildlife that it hosts and I feel that we have established a balance between urban development and the natural environment. However, this balance can easily be tipped in the interest of urbanisation and so it is important to work together and to maintain the balance and conserve our natural environment,” explains HH Sayyida Tania Shabib al Said, president, Environment Society of Oman (ESO). ESO was founded in March 2004 by Omanis representing different regions and many different professional backgrounds. Membership is open to anyone above the age of 18 who has an interest in conserving the environment and ensuring that Oman’s natural heritage remains intact for future generations to enjoy. “The economy is the driving force behind major developments and this is when the environment stops being a priority. Having said that, I believe that the desire to create the right balance in Oman between sustainable growth and conserving our environment is becoming a concern and priority for all. I hope that large scale projects will find a way to strike a balance between financial benefit and environmental

HH Sayyida Tania Shabib al Said, President, ESO 54

Empowerment and Environmental Education Project on 27 March 2011 under the patronage of HE Mohammad bin Salim al Tobi, Minister of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA). The project funded by the US-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) and in collaboration with ESO, Majlis A’Shura and the Omani Women’s Association (OWA), gave women the opportunity to voice an environmental concern affecting their local communities and share mitigation measures with decision makers.

conservation and sustainability,” says Sayyida Tania.

The Environment Society of Oman does a commendable job working towards protecting the habitat and in the process empowers local women to come up with practical ideas that can be implemented on a large scale

The seas of the Sultanate of Oman occupy an isolated corner of the Indian Ocean, where some of the world’s most varied and biologically productive waters are found. In the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, vast open ocean plains, canyons and trenches of extreme depth abruptly meet the coastline forming underwater cliffs several kilometres high. The north of Oman is dominated by the Hajar Range, a chain of rugged limestone and dolomite mountains, stretching from Musandam to Sur. Wadis dissect the mountains of northern and central Oman and provide the only means of access to many areas. While most wadis are seasonal, some have a constant flow of water, attracting settlement and wildlife. The deserts of Oman vary from the rolling sand seas of the Sharqiyah, with classic dunes of rich gold, to the flat stony Jiddat al Harasis in central Oman and the Rub al Khali or ‘Empty Quarter’ further south, where individual mountains of sand rise from a flat desert and stretch endlessly across the border into Saudi Arabia. This striking contrast of nature’s abundance needs care and protection.

At the start of 2010, the project invited 20 members from OWA who represented Muscat, Nizwa, Sohar and Salalah. The women attended training workshops on how to conduct background research, gather data and finally document an existing environmental problem in their respective communities. As an outcome of the meeting, Majlis A’Shura will be approaching government authorities to in an attempt to find solutions or mitigation measures to for the environmental issues voiced by the local women. Stressing on the importance of education Sayyida Tania says, “Make education the most important part of your goals, stay in school, and strive to develop yourselves and your skills. In the long run this effort will benefit you, your family and will allow your country to continue to grow. Your

In a bid to involve the community, especially women, ESO organised the closing ceremony of the Women’s

focus should be long term. Remember that your actions today, will affect us all tomorrow, whether environmentally, socially or economically.” Membership base is the driving force of ESO’s future, members that get involved and volunteer their time to ESO in a significant manner, influence and contribute to its growth.

“Make education the most important part of your goals, stay in school, and strive to develop yourselves and your skills. In the long run this effort will benefit you, your family and will allow your country to continue to grow.”

Continuing with her thoughts on ESO Sayyida Tania says, “ESO dedicates its resources to several projects in Oman that are different from one another. It is pleasurable to see projects unfold that affect all aspects of society, for example the turtle project in Masirah. Through this project, ESO has trained local rangers on the Island island to help protect the nesting turtles and hatchlings. We have also raised awareness of students in schools and spoken to the Masirah Women’s Association. We have also trained and given jobs to local women on the island to enter important data of the research ESO’s marine team conducts on the turtles, which is evidently contributing to the worldwide research initiative on loggerhead turtles, as Masirah Island is the largest loggerhead turtle nesting site.”

religions and races. Women and men are given equal opportunities to be active participants in society. These are some of the reasons that make Sayyida Tania proud to be an Omani. And she feels it is the responsibility of the citizens to build on what has been given and work towards a better future, balancing economic strategies with environmental conservation.

His Majesty has provided many opportunities for his people including free education and health care. The growing infrastructure that is enabling our nation to be progressive and develop is admirable. As a nation we respect our culture and yet are tolerant to other

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“This painting reveals the beauty of Omani women effectively blurring the boundaries between high art and popular traditions. It retains an overall fusion of colour and encompasses a very enhancing scheme.”

Rabha mahmood

Courtesy Ghalya’s Museum of Modern Art

Omaniyat [Oil on canvas]

Young dynamics

s the saying goes, there are four things that never come back: the spoken word, the spent arrow, times past and a missed opportunity. No country can prosper if its youth misses out on opprotunities. A city maybe about its buildings, amenities and public services but its identity is more than the sum of these parts, it is about the people who live and work there. A city is about their creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. For Oman, with a growing young population, the creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship of the youth is especially important.

More than half of Oman’s 2.8mn people are under the age of 20, and 83 per cent are under 35. It is essential to take into account the aspirations of the youth, to make them a part of the nation’s future

To capture the essence of the youth in Oman, we share viewpoints from representatives and explore their vision to find out how they see themselves living, working, relaxing and raising their own families in the urban environment of the future. The nation has to tap into their energy and creativity to progress.

assan al Saleh, managing partner, TRACCS Oman represents the dynamic spirit of entrepreurship within the youth of Oman. “Human capital is a nation’s greatest asset and I knew from the onset that I would return to my homeland and contribute to its development. We represent the future of the country, therefore it is our responsibility to be at the forefront of its development, innovate and

challenge the status quo,” says Hassan. Sharing his experience of starting up TRACCS Oman Hassan says, “The experience has been challenging as well as rewarding. I ventured into an industry that was and still is misunderstood and under-appreciated. Apart from establishing operations, we needed to educate both private and public sector organisations that public relations is an essential discipline to create and deliver key communication messages and implement integrated marketing strategies.” Public relations is more than merely media relations and that the practice has developed to include a sophisticated set of tools to enhance and manage an organisation’s reputation, defend it against external and internal crises, reach out to the market and build its own internal communications capabilities is the need of the hour. The future is bright as Hassan envisions TRACCS Oman further building and diversifying the practice of public relations offered and introducing innovative and more sophisticated communications tools. The goal is to work closely with the government to employ refined two-way communication tools that will allow government entities to respond deftly and with transparency and compassion to public demands for information, understanding and change. Talking about the role of the government

Hassan M. al Saleh, Managing Partner, TRACCS Oman 58

Trans-Arabian Creative Communications (TRACCS) is one of the largest and leading public relations firms in the Middle East and North Africa with a network of fourteen fully-fledged offices across the region

Nasra al Adawi, COO, Tawasul Global Connections Center

among the top management of Tawasul she says, “I am more concerned that my leading position in the company should always help it to move forward. Being in a leading position is not just about an appearance, it is the experience and the courage to build the organisation to succeed in a competitive market.” Oman needs men and women to take on career challenges in all fields and to participate in the growth of the country and make it a better economy for the future generation.

in encouraging entrepreneurship in the country Hassan ays, “In addition to establishing more investment funds and grants for research and development, there is a dire need for professional business incubators to provide easy and open access to information, counseling and facilitate administrative procedures. Laws should be structured to help entrepreneurs achieve their aspirations and more mentorship opportunities made available.” Ultimately, entrepreneurs require trust, confidence and encouragement from the government. Those who excel based on merit should be recognised and their experiences shared with other aspiring entrepreneurs and intertwined in academic curriculum.

Nasra sees Tawasul as a progressive think tank steering different movements of thoughts towards empowering civil society. In three years she hopes it would have a much greater impact in bridging the gap between public, private and civil society through partnerships. Additionally, she hopes that the initiatives of Tawasul will impact civil society organisations to be advocative for their cause and be an influence on decision makers for the progress our country.

Hassan’s aspiration for Oman is a modern, progressive nation that celebrates its unique cultural identity and heritage. A country that is dependent on its own people, specially the youth, to realise the vision set by His Majesty the Sultan.

he need to be with her family prompted Nasra to come to Oman. Having been encouraged since childhood to be independent and self sufficient, it was unthinkable for her to depend on the family for her living.

Talking about Oman she says, “Oman has always taken an unique approach in handling its affairs. I hope it continues to do so in the future by easing dialouges between the citizens and the decision makers. Our youth is eager and they are our asset for the future so we need to equip them to lead our country.” Nasra wants more educational opportunities to be made

When Nasra started working the thought of leading an organisation had not really crossed her mind. Even today, sitting

Tawasul pursues its mission of empowering civil society and presenting Oman as a leading country in the field of societal solidarity through partnerships between the public and private sectors, and the civil society

available to women and also she propagates continuous learning access for women who seek leadership roles.

assan Meer’s art narrates his musing on the mortality of man and examines locally prevalent rituals. “Since my childhood here in Oman, I have always thought and wondered about the powerful effects these mysterious legends have in controlling and directing the course of man’s life. Art to me is a language, and a medium through which I seek to discover the state of the human mind and the contradictions within.” He adds, “I attempt to link the elements and symbolic concepts shared among the various cultures. In our present day with the sharp upheavals and fluctuations our societies experience, I realise the importance of employing new tools and artistic devices that are more capable in portraying and expressing contemporary issues.” If there is one word that would describe Hassan Meer, it is versatile. Whether through traditional semi-abstract painting, video projections or phtography, he has touched upon numerous mediums of expression with elan while capturing the period of Oman’s transition. His resourcefulness in his chosen field is lauded by discerning minds. His work reflects not only his deep spiitual explorations, but

addresses pertinent social issues and the effect of globalisation on the Arabian world. He set the trend of video art which earned appreciation at the Fifth International Cairo Biennale. Once again his vision paved the way for progressive ideas. Today Hassan Meer is a mentor for progessive ideas and budding talent. Talking about his experience as an artist in Oman he says, “Working in the art field in Oman was not difficult in terms of practice, but there were other challenges I faced. We have active institutions like Oman Society for Fine Arts, Bait Muzna Gallery, Bait al zubair and Bait al Baranda promoting local artists in Oman. However, we need more ideas and challenging exhibitions form the artists them self.” Meer organised the first exhibition of the ‘Circle’ series in Muscat, together with his peers in 2000. Promoting and nurturing experimental forms of art within Oman was the main purpose behind such a move. Eventually, it caught global attention and Oman was launched on the global platform of art. So large is the Circle now, of which Hassan Meer is the curator, that it includes artists from the Gulf, Lebanon, South Africa, Austria, Japan, Morocco and Germany. Hassan Meer wishes to retire from his job and take up his passion for art on a full time basis. He wants to motivate Omani artists to use art with new technology and be more active out side Oman.

Hassan Meer, Artist 60

Hassan Meer received his Bachelor degree in Fine Art with Media Art specialisation in 1999 from Savannah College of art and design, Georgia, USA. This was followed by a Master degree in Art in 2000

Faisal Murtadha al Lawati, MD, Fairtrade Group Holding

prominent business areas for future development. The government has invested heavily in various businesses and industries and is continuously improving policies and procedures to make the country an attractive host for international and national organisations.”

he fondness for Oman is evident in Faisal as he talks about his childhood days here. “There are so many memories of Oman from my childhood that I don’t know where to start. As a matter of fact one of the memories is actually related to the National Day celebrations. As a child I looked forward to going out in the night to Muscat and Muttrah and watch the colourful lights that decorated the city. The excitement was palpable on the streets and we went to the roof of our house to watch the fireworks. This is one of my lasting impressions from my childhood here.

On the future he says, “I would love to see the Oman market grow and become an International business centre in the region. Nevertheless, I would also want the locals to benefit from this expansion and possibly become large multinational organisations.” The role of the government is vital in this scenario. “It will need to continuously come up with new policies and procedures to make sure that creating a business in the country is not complicated for both locals and expatriates. At the same time the regulations have to be set up properly to monitor the operations of the companies. The government will also need to make sure that the business flow is done fairly to everyone who invests in the country,” ends Faisal.

Faisal was brought up by parents who were staunch supporters of the developing nation. They instilled in him a deep respect for his homeland. “I feel that I will always owe Oman for what and who I am. I do strongly believe that I have been blessed to have what I have and a lot of it is actually related to what Oman has given us. This feeling prodded me to come back to the country and be part of its development,” adds Faisal. Talking of the Oman market he says, “Oman is a unique and an unpredictable market. There are times when business picks up for no obvious or specific reason and vice versa. However developing countries are full of opportunities and Oman clearly demonstrates that it is one of the most

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A relentless and uncompromising commitment to support customers with quality service for the past 35 years has earned Fairtrade a well-deserved reputation in the FMCG distribution business in Oman

“I use mix media and my work is abstract. Here I am imagining someone looking at the landscape in a big screen which makes it enlarged and pixelated. It’s a digital image of seascape of Oman.”

tahira fida

Courtesy Ghalya’s Museum of Modern Art

Sand and Beach [sand, modeling paste, glass colours, acrylics]

“The subject of my painting is the protection campaign of Oryx. In this I have used mix-media, adding pieces of paper on the surface of the board to give a three-dimensional effect.”

saleem sakhi

Courtesy Ghalya’s Museum of Modern Art

Return [mix media]

Enduring values

well known name in the real estate sector, various engineering fields and the oil industry in the Sultanate of Oman since the 1970’s Al-Taher is a result of ambitious expansion and strong partnerships with global players, the Al-Taher Group’s activities now extends beyond the Sultanate of Oman to Asia and Africa. The various Al-Taher companies rank among the leading construction, engineering, trading and real estate companies in the Sultanate of Oman. Privately owned, these companies represent a workforce in excess of 2500 employees working in the Arab region. “Each Al-Taher company endeavours to support and achieve the common mission statement of being the most efficient, profitable and leading private company in its sector by serving its customers to the highest standards of professionalism and quality, with employees benefiting from working in a stable, harmonious and safe working environment in all countries in which we operate. While operating independently, companies also benefit from their combined financial strength and technical resources as well as shared intra-company expertise,” says the group chairman Sheikh Saud bin Ali al Khalili. The Group is diversified into sectors such as oil and gas, contracting, trading and real estate.

Oil and gas The oil and gas sector has companies like

Al-Iraqiya, Apex Mechanical Engineering, Al Sarooj Group and Synergy Petroleum. Al-Sarooj Group was established in 1983. It currently owns and operates 62 filling stations under the brand names of Shell, Oman Oil and Al Maha. Al Sarooj Group is ISO 9001:2000 certified by BVQI Oman. Synergy Petroleum has been recently incorporated in Oman, this company aims at providing pioneering technologies to the upstream oil and gas industry. It is backed by highly qualified personnel and is currently focussing on sustainable energy and efficient oil water separation techniques.

Established in 1973 by Sheikh Saud bin Ali al Khalili, the Al-Taher Group is headquartered in Qurum, Muscat, the Group encompasses multidiversified businesses covering engineering, commercial, consumer and trading activities

Contracting This sector of the group has companies like Atlas International Engineering, Electro Mechanics, Geosol, Ibn Saud Trading and Services, Masirah International, Rawasi, Aya International, Sam Engineering and Sarooj Construction.

companies in Oman which specialises in domestic water distribution, sewage line and sewage networking, agricultural and building construction. Sarooj Construction was recently incorporated with the aim to specialise in roads and earthwork, and is backed by some of the most experienced personnel in the industry. It is currently in the running for a USD100mn project for the dualisation of the major highway in Oman.

Electro Mechanics was established in 1971 and is considered as one of the leading electro-mechanical contractors in Oman.

Trading

Geosol Engineering is a young geotechnical engineering company which aims at using modern techniques, and innovative methods to serve the construction industry.

The trading companies that come under the flagship of Al-Taher Group are Gulf Line, Luban Trading, Luban Transport, Oasis Trading and Oman Sea. Al-Taher is also the franchisee for Café Najjar and Al Rifai Nuts.

Sam Engineering is one of the leading

Luban Trading has 36 stores operating under

the Shell-franchised Select brand. Luban signed an exclusive agreement to open Café Najjar stores in Oman. The premium brand will be serving coffee drive through locations. Luban also signed an agreement to open Al Rifai stores in Oman. Al-Taher’s values have shaped the company’s history and will continue to define what Al-Taher aspires to achieve in the future. While operating independently, companies also benefit from their combined financial strength and technical resources as well as shared intra-company expertise. With a solid financial and technical base, Al-Taher is well equipped to confidently approach new market opportunities on a global scale, while continuing to build winning relationships with a wide range of customers across diverse sectors.