OIA organises finance forum for CFOs of its companies

Muscat: Oman Investment Authority (OIA) organised a finance forum to host the Chief Financial Officers of its companies, which saw the presence of financial leaders, experts, and industry pioneers who shaped the financial scene whether from OIA companies or private sector enterprises, including several local and international banks.

The forum is a great opportunity for OIA Companies to expand their networks and relationships and consolidate cooperation with leading businesses in the financial sector. The forum featured rich discussion panels with the participation of prominent speakers and experts from the Sultanate of Oman and beyond.  

Issues of concern included global growth and its impact locally, the National Programme for Fiscal Sustainability and its contribution to the development of the financial sector, green finance and its positive impact on sustainability, payment systems in Oman which are considered the backbone of the economy, digital innovation, and the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in the area of finance. The panels also covered issues such as divestment and its importance in the diversification of the Omani economy and to what extent it serves as a vehicle to attract foreign investments to the Sultanate of Oman, localisation of modern technologies, and the development of the economic sectors.

Underlining the importance of OIA’s Finance Forum, Ayad Al Balushi, Assistant Deputy President for Finance and Assurance at OIA pointed out that the Sultanate of Oman represents a sophisticated and diverse economic environment and a growing destination for investment. Therefore, this forum is contemplated to reflect the commitment of OIA and its companies to build up strong and adequate financial capabilities that enable it to forge strategic partnerships in the finance and business sectors.

He further added that the forum is a venue to exchange ideas, and experiences and to enhance financial innovation, which will ultimately lead to economic growth and sustainable development. He hoped that the next forums would help promote the position of the Sultanate of Oman as an attractive regional financial hub in addition to bolstering the cooperation between OIA companies and leading local and international firms.

It is to be noted that the forum included a networking session held immediately after the discussion sessions and it was intended to establish and cement relationships between participants and to exchange knowledge to create further partnerships and launch new initiatives in the future.