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Three unique and innovative products were revealed during a two day program hosted by one of Oman’s leading digital marketing experts, Infocomm. The interactive workshops were held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Muscat, which gave the hand-picked group of participants a chance to get some first-hand experience with Omantel’s latest breakthrough products.

Give Your Message Impact

iMass MMS is the most recent and updated addition to an already large selection of marketing products and services available from Omantel. With iMass MMS Omantel’s customers can send their marketing messages in audio or picture format making the impact that can make a difference. Omantel is the first provider in the Gulf region offering this state-of-the-art service.

"Today's consumers are increasingly sophisticated; their expectations are high. To make an impression marketers need to give their message impact,"

said Rehan Moosa, Infocomm Digital Media Product Manager and presenter at the workshops.

Location, Location, Location

A second product launched by Omantel at the workshop is a new Location Based Service which forms a part of the iMass Filter SMS service and iMass Volume SMS.

Omantel’s manager of communication solutions and corporate development, Adel Alawadhi said about this product that,

"This extremely focused marketing tool has a level of sophistication beyond anything else that's available. Companies can reach out to existing and potential clients according to their current location. At a time when marketers are constantly sharpening their message and fine-tuning their target market, this product is a great step forward."

Easy Access

The third product introduced is the new ismartsms.net portal. This web site gives new and existing users of Omantel’s marketing services a convenient way to learn more about Omantel’s large number of products and services. All customers have to do is log in to make purchases or send requests to the company.

"The business environment today is very demanding and there is a lot of time pressure. The iSmart SMS portal has been developed to make life easier for Omantel customers," commented R Ramesh, Infocomm Operations Manager. "It's about streamlining services and allowing clients to make the most of their time — leaving them free to concentrate on their core tasks. It also recognises the importance of listening to customers with a dedicated section for feedback."

Accepts Invitation

Secretary General Abdulatif Al-Zayani is visiting Brussels in response to an invitation by the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Catherine Ashton. The invitation is part of an earlier agreement forged between the EU and the GCCdesigned to increase cooperation between the two bodies.

Catherine Ashton

“Al-Zayani, who will be traveling with top GCC officials including Saad Al-Ammar, the GCC’s deputy secretary-general for political affairs, will hold bilateral talks with Ashton on Jan. 31,” said Saleem S. A. Al-Alwi, GCC spokesman.

Iran on the Table

Also on the agenda of talks will be the latest threat from Iran. This threat is a consequence of the EU’s decision last week to enforce an oil embargo on Iran beginning this coming summer if Iran does not disclose information about its hidden nuclear program. The west is worried that Iran is developing nuclear weapons under the radar of the West’s ability to monitor and halt, if necessary the Iranian nuclear program. “Hence, the visit of Al-Zayani to Brussels, where he will also hold talks with Belgian officials besides meeting several EU officials, has added significance,” said a political analyst. He also said that the EU and the GCC will most likely also discuss inaugurating negotiations to hammer out a free trade agreement.

“Both sides still look committed to negotiations toward a free trade agreement which were initiated in 1990 and gained momentum in 2007, but later failed,” he added.

Simin Yazdegerdi Curtis

Simin Yazdegerdi Curtis, president and founder of the American Middle East Institute, led a delegation of members of the Institute to the Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman on Monday.

AMEI is a non-profit and independent organization, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which seeks to strengthen cultural, educational and business ties between the United States and countries of the Middle East.

Professor Amer bin Ali al Rawas greeted the AMEI delegates in his capacity as SQU deputy Vice-Chancellor for Postgraduate Studies and Research, along with other official representatives of the university.

During the discussions with the officials from SQU Simin Curtis explained that AMEI is in the perfect position to introduce Pittsburgh’s leading institutions and corporations to the Middle East. Due to their broad knowledge of the region, understanding of the culture and their well-forged corporate and business ties AMEI can more easily succeed at the high-profile networking events for which AMEI has earned a positive reputation.

The group of delegates considered the possibility of obtaining the support of academics from SQU to populate the intensive programs in Arabic which AMEI offers, as well as having them participate in other cultural and business connected activities which focus on the Middle East.

In a statement which urged the delegates to go forward to forge partnerships in the academic, educational and cultural spheres, Curtis said,

“We urge young professionals and business students to do business in Oman. We would like to host Omani students for the academic programs starting in the summer this year.”

Audi Oman

National sales and marketing manager for Audi Oman, Abdel Karim Awwad announced the opening of the German luxury car outlet in Oman last week.

Hoping to reap a share of the pre-owned luxury car market, the car maker launched the Audi Approved Business Unit.

“This facility would enable customers in the Sultanate to purchase fully approved and checked pre-owned Audi cars,” Awwad stated.

Last year proved a favorable one for Audi, selling 1,632 used cars in the Middle East, representing a 39% from the year before. The new business opening in Wattayah, Muscat will meet the growing demand in the Sultanate for excellent used luxury cars.

“The pre-owned car industry is a growing business in Oman as customers are on the look-out for a good deal, but do not want to compromise on quality. We are very proud to have launched our exciting new Approved plus business unit and we are unique in the scope and thorough nature of our 110 multi-point checks that come as standard for every vehicle,” Awwad said.

Audi is looking forward to a good year for Audi sales. Awwad explained, “We have many exciting plans and activities planned for this year. This includes plan for corporate and government accounts in terms of sale, several activities incorporating good offers  during the upcoming Muscat Festival that will connect us more closely with our valued customers.”

Al Jassar Promotion

V.T. Saileshwaran is the managing director of Al Jassar, which has promoted the services from a large range of industries to Oman, including construction, oil, petrochemical and gas, hospital management and more, explained that the showroom of Global Office will focus on the appearance of elegance combined with comfort and convenience.

High Quality Furniture

George Ambrail is the director of sales for the Middle East division of The Global Group. According to him, “The showroom features not just display eye-catching designs but also office furniture that is medically proven.”

Floor Planning

According to Ambrail, the company can also help businesses organize their space in a way which optimizes production and comfort.

“We also give them different views and once they give us the headcount we plan the floor plate based on that brief and take into account how much privacy level each person needs in his cubicle nor his demarcated area and then we provide the floor plans with different perspective views so that they can visualize it before they buy it.”

Ambrail adds that the Canada-based Globus brand is a high-quality brand hard to surpass.

“Oman is a potential market for premium furniture brands. A huge awareness for quality products in Oman has been building up which was lagging a few years ago. Here Globus would fit in perfectly.”

Zawawi Trading Company

The division of commercial vehicle sales of the authorized distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Oman, the Zawawi Trading Company (ZTC) saw an increase in sales in 2011 over the previous year by 42%, unprecedented growth in the Sultanate.

This past year marked the 125th year since the invention of the automobile; a year which also coincided with the ZTC’s focused efforts to improve sales in Oman, especially within the commercial vehicles division.

There were several innovative programs established to attract customers, including the Mercedes-Benz “Field Force” which established a mobile workshop team to deliver fast and professional service, and a more personalized relationship between the customer and the seller. Also implemented were on-site vehicle checks, inspections, and driver training programs. The driver training was directed at improving the ability of the owners to maintain their cars while also teaching more defensive and economic driving skills.

The CEO of the Zawawi Trading Company automotive division, Craig Hardie, declared that,

“2011 was a year of great change in the commercial vehicle division of ZTC, as we continue to improve and expand our services and customer experience. This is a trend that we strongly intend to continue well into 2012, with numerous new and exciting projects planned for introduction this year.”

Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a ceremony in which the chairman of the OCCI, Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khonji was presented with the first copy of the first edition of the Omani Products Catalogue, a publication of the OCCI.

Produced by OmanAd in Conjunction with the OOCI

Ali Abdullah Al Kasbi, the managing director of OmanAd handed the catalogue to Al Khonji at the headquarters of the OCCI in Ruwi. OmanAd was responsible for the production and marketing of the new publication, which is available not only in book form but also as a CD for use on computer.

The Omani Products Catalogue is an indispensable resource for information about Omani manufacturing and production, presented bilingually in Arabic and English.

Eleven Categories

The catalogue lists approximately 100 firms divided into 11 different categories. The categories are as follows: chemicals, electric & electronic equipment, metal products, food & beverages, minerals & metals, non-metallic products, oil & natural gas, paper/plastic & packaging, seafood/fisheries, and textiles & garments.

The catalogue is organized into four sections to enhance its usefulness, and also presents articles about manufacturing in Oman and information about Oman’s economy and industries.

Accurate and Easy to Use

Another section lists the companies alphabetically and includes accurate and the most up-to-date contact information for the companies. Much research was done to present the most accurate possible information.

“We hope that the Omani Products Catalogue will provide a common platform for the Omani manufacturing sector to showcase their multifaceted capabilities to a fast changing world,” said Al Khonji in his opening address.

There will be distribution of the catalogue both nationally and internationally to assure the most widespread possible access. Free copies will be made available by the OCCI in Ruwi.

Convenient Location

Suvarnabhumi Airport

The lounge can be found in a convenient location on the second floor where the G and E concourses meet in the International terminal. The lounge will be open to First and Business Class passenger flying with Oman Air. Passengers can expect the same “award winning” service which they receive when flying on their aircraft.

Work, Rest, Relax

The newly designed lounge can service 40 passengers in the utmost luxury, including a complete business center with private booths which offer free broadband and WiFi connections to the internet.

When the passengers are not working they are welcome to both hot and cold snacks which will be offered according to traditional Arabic style cuisine and oriental offerings prepared under the strict supervision of the chef of the Dusit Thani Hotel in Bangkok.

Happy to Open Lounge

Ahmed Hazeem al Balushi, the district sales manager for Oman Air said at the official opening ceremony that,

“I am very happy to open this wonderful lounge, which comes in our new design. We have focused on the needs of our customers; furthermore the new lounge at Suvarnabhumi International Airport provides our premium guests with ideal conditions for a relaxed stay before their departure. Just like our customers, we waited eagerly for this day.”

Improving Customer Service

The general manager of catering for Oman Air, Aaron Claxton said,

“The opening of this new lounge is a testament of Oman Air’s continual strides in providing its passenger with a seamless travel experience offering “5-star” services and traditional Omani hospitality from the moment they enter the lounge in Bangkok. The lounge has been designed with particular consideration to offering a tranquil and calming oasis while still retaining many of the features of its flagship lounge which opened in Muscat in January 2011.”

Reduced Cost-to-Income Ratio

Amr El Saadani

The survey showed that lenders within the GCC, which includes the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, will begin to reduce their cost-to-income ratio down to 35% from the current 36% average. The goal is to improve the return on equity investments to an impressive 20% by the year 2015 from today’s 16%, according to the survey, which included the opinions of 47 senior executives at banks in the region.

“The SMEs have traditionally been a small part of the business as the government sector dominates the economy,”said Amr El Saadani, managing director for Accenture’s financial services practice.

“Governments are now diversifying their economies and most banks have indicated they are interested in pushing this business,” added El Saadani.

Still Recovering from Global Crisis

GCC banks are still recovering from the international credit crisis of the past few years, which reduced lending considerably, harmed the investment banking industry, and led to more defaulted loans. Now economic growth is on the rise, spurred by increased government expenditures in response to recent political discontent, and higher prices for oil. This economic boom has also increased lending.

But the loans to SMEs only comprise about 2% of the total amount of lending in the GCC. This is a tiny percentage, especially when compared to about 27% in the countries which comprise the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, said El Saadani.

Women and Youth Will Play a Greater Role

It is important to keep in mind that over half of the population of the GCC is under 30 years old; and women-held assets is on the verge of an increase to close to $800 billion by the year 2014, compared to only $500 billion in 2009, added El Saadani.

“Young people are extremely tech-savvy,” El Saadani said.

“Women increasingly are also highly educated, increasingly employed and are becoming extremely demanding customers.”

Long-Lasting Partnership

The goals of the forum are many, but high on the agenda will be a desire to forge lasting bonds of cooperation and partnership between leading Saudi and American business executives while exploring the many new opportunities arising in the further development of both countries.

It is expected that there will be at least 1,200 delegates to the forum, including four Saudi Arabian ministers. In addition the head of the King Abdullah City for Nuclear and Renewable Energy will be present and participating in the forum.

“The forum will enable American companies to make use of the huge investment opportunities worth $385 billion offered by the Saudi government’s ambitious development plan in infrastructure, health, education and other projects,”

an official statement commented. The statement added further that there will also be discussions of the prospect of Saudi investments in Georgia, the US state which is hosting the forum.

Potential Cooperation Realized

Minister of Commerce and Industry Abdullah Alireza

One of the Saudi speakers, Commerce and Industry Minister Abdullah Alireza, commented on the renewed motivation to develop strategic US-Saudi partnerships and cooperation. He said that he expects this relationship to continue for many years, saying that “this forum will work to ensure that this great potential is realized.”

“Saudi Arabia is the top market in the region, and potential US exports are forecast to more than double by 2015,” he added.

For more information visit the US-Saudi Business Opportunities Web Site.