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OMAN Infra Oman to push local products The exhibition provides organisations in the Sultanate with the opportunity to keep abreast with the latest developments in the infrastructure sector INFRASTRUCTURE BOOM: Infra Oman is timed with the continuing boom in Oman’s infrastructure industry and to provide local companies the opportunity to introduce their products.– Ismail Al Farsi/TIMES OF OMAN
Times News Service MUSCAT: Infra Oman 2011, the Sultanate’s first international exhibition for infrastructure and industrial projects, opened yesterday to a good response at the Oman International Exhibition Centre. Dr. Rasheed Al Safi Khamis Al Huraibi, chairman of the Tender Board, presided over the formal inauguration. The three-day exhibition (September 20-22) is being organised by Al Nimr Expo Company. Speaking to reporters, Al Huraibi said this is a specialised exhibition for marketing national products and establishing trade relations in the
Sultanate. This would have positive contribution on promoting businesses, and economic and construction activities, he said, while pointing out that Omani products have proved their presence, especially since they are known for their high quality and standards. He added that the Tenders Law and its executive regulation have many articles that encourage giving preference to Omani products in the government projects awarded by the Board. Speaking on the occasion, Mohsen bin Khamis Al Balushi, advisor to the Commerce and Industry
Ministry and chairman of Oman International Exhibition Centre, said that such exhibitions are a good opportunity for the visiting companies from friendly countries, as well as local companies to showcase their products and services related to infrastructure and construction in general. It is also a good opportunity for them to meet their counterparts in the Sultanate and discuss issues that serve their common interests. He pointed out that the exhibition provides different organisations with the opportunity to keep abreast with the latest developments in this field.
He hopes to organise more such exhibitions in the Sultanate to allow the Omani companies to showcase their products and services. The opening ceremony was attended by Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khunji, chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), public and private officials, as well as companies taking part in the exhibition. In its first edition, Infra Oman 2011 is showcasing all types of building materials, heavy equipment, construction supplies, engineering and consultancy services, architectural services, and other products
and services that are necessary for the successful implementation of infrastructure projects. The international exhibition will also have special sections focusing on ‘affordable housing development’ and ‘heavy equipment’. The world famous JCB Dancing Diggers dazzled the crowds with their stunt making their debut at the inaugural edition of the exhibition. Infra Oman 2011 has more than 100 local and international exhibitors from across countries including Austria, Bahrain, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Iran, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Qatar, Spain, Turkey, the US, the UK, the UAE and many more. Infra Oman is perfectly timed with the continuing boom in Oman’s infrastructure and construction industries and the event is meant to provide local and international companies the opportunity to introduce the latest range of their products, equipment, technologies and services to the clients, decision makers and top officials of companies involved in Oman’s vibrant building and construction industry. Infra Oman is being organised in co-operation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications and in partnership with Oman Society of Contractors. The exhibition is supported by the Supreme Committee for Town Planning (SCTP), Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), Origin Oman, Oman Society of
Contractors (OSC), Oman Tourism Development Company SAOC (OMRAN), Oman Environmental Services Holding Co. S.A.O.C. (OESHCo), Oman Society of Engineers (OSE), UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Singapore Business Federation (SBF), German Industry & Commerce Office (AHK), United Engineers Network, Export Promotion Centre of Turkey (IGEME) and the Association of Professional Interiors Designers (APID). The Diamond Sponsors are Douglas OHI LLC, Galfar Engineering & Contracting SAOG, Nafal Contracting & Trading Co. LLC and Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), Platinum Sponsors are Target LLC and Larsen & Toubro (Oman) LLC, Gold Sponsors are Becsa General Contracting LLC, Qatar Steel Company (Q.S.C.), Oman Oil Marketing Company SAOG and JCB, Floor Plan Sponsor is Oman United Engineering Services LLC. The construction Intelligence Partners include Ventures Onsite, Oman Projects, MiddleEast Tenders, BNC Network and Zawya. The official telecom partner is Nawras Telecommunications, official logistics partner is Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo& Co. and the official travel agency is Travel Point LLC. The exhibition timings of Infra Oman are 10am – 1pm and 04.30pm – 08.30pm. Infra Oman is the first of its kind exhibition to be held in Oman and the GCC region. (With inputs from ONA)
M U S C AT YOU T H S U M M I T
‘Fight for what you believe in’ Times News Service MUSCAT: Launched in 2009 by the Brand Oman Management Unit, the Muscat Youth Summit (MYS) attracts over 200 participants between ages 15 and 24 from Asia, Europe and North America. This year, MYS 2011 will be held on December 4-7 at the Millennium Resort in Al Musannah. The Times of Oman talked to 2011 Muscat Youth Summit presenter Gemma Griffiths, Managing Director of ‘The Crowd & I’. What’s the focus of your MYS workshop? How social media can help organisations effectively reach and engage with young people. What type of conversations and discussions do you hope will emerge during MYS 2011? Conversations about how social media can be used as a force for good. I hope we identify what types of organisations would benefit from a more social approach and hope participants leave motivated, and with a concrete plan of action about how they can use social media to enhance organisations or public sector services. What do you hope will be the takeaway from your MYS workshop? Three things: first, the way people communicate is radically changing; second, organisations and services need to adapt and become more social; and third, social media can be used as a force for good. Tell us about a day in your life and what your work routine is like? My days revolve around being connected to the Internet and continuously looking for breaking news that affects my clients’ business and market. I work with my client to help them navigate the fast evolving and fragmented communication landscape to ensure that the right message hits the
‘Youth Summit is about learning, discovering’ MUSCAT: This week, The Times of Oman caught up with Nujaida Mohammed Al Maskari, who attended Muscat Youth Summit (MYS) last year. Nujaida is an undergraduate student at the German University of Technology in Oman.
My generation has to realise there’s a difference between what we want and what we need
Tell us about some of the highlights from your participation in MYS 2009. It was the enthusiasm that really impressed me – everyone at the Summit was there to learn, discover and exchange new ideas and make new friends. It was a really rewarding experience and one I’d recommend to anyone.
Gemma Griffiths
right audience at the right time – I believe a successful PR campaign needs to build a reputation that impacts an organisation’s goal. What’s challenging about the work you do? Dealing with different personalities. People react differently under pressure. Understanding people and what makes them tick and what makes them upset will stand you in good stead in many situations. Do you have any role models or sources of inspiration? What’s your life mantra? Music is one of my main sources of inspiration. I take a lot from lyrics. As for my life mantra, make a decision! If you make the wrong one, usually you can make another one to put you back on track. What’s the best thing about being your age? Young enough to be relatively carefree, yet old enough to have some wisdom. Who or what inspires you? Dedicated people. People who fight for what they believe in and are not afraid to stand out from the crowd.
What was the one thing that turned your head at MYS 2010? Jamal Al Asmi’s workshop on creativity and innovation. I learned from Jamal’s session that you have to find your passion in order to follow your dreams and turn them into reality. What types of conversations and discussions would you like to see emerge during MYS 2011? Discussions on water shortage,
Nujaida Al Maskari MYS participant last year
urban development and the influence of mass media. These are the key issues impacting the everyday lives of young people today. They need debating. What do you hope will be the takeaway from MYS 2011? Three things: Be responsible; take
what you learn at the Summit and apply it to your life; and make a difference to your community. How would you describe youth culture in a word? My generation has to realise there’s a difference between what we want and what we need.
The field of youth media is just exploding right now. Where do you see it heading? A lot of young people are interested in media – it’s an exciting sector to work in and for example we’re seeing more young Omanis involved in local radio stations. If we can harness this interest and train them, the future of Oman’s broadcast media looks very bright. What emerging trends do you see within youth culture? Social networking is without doubt an important trend and one that can do a lot of good. What’s unique about working with this generation? Young people are curious, imaginative and ambitious; we’re pioneers. We’re willing to take risks and learn. That has to be positive. Do you have any role models or sources of inspiration? My source of inspiration comes from the people who rise above. Then there are times when someone can inspire me by a smile, a word or a gesture.