Oman Chamber of Commerce to modernise its facilities

Muscat: Oman’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) revealed its plan for 2016 to modernise its facilities and services to meet the demands of investors, customers and business owners.
In its efforts to enlarge the role of the private sector in the Omani economy, the OCCI will fully embrace today’s technologies and simplify procedures, including registration, renewal and verification services, its press release said.
The OCCI’s website, which is currently modified for mobile devices, will focus on four strategic sectors laid out in the government’s 2040 strategy: Investments; Industry; Tourism; and Commerce.
OCCI said in its press release that the website will be in Arabic and English and in the future other languages, such as German, French, Hindi and Farsi, can be added. Also, an app will be developed to ensure easy and quick services for business owners.
The Chamber is also planning to establish outlets in shopping centres to provide quick services, such as renewing memberships of the OCCI. This service will also be provided on its website. OCCI said this will ensure fast handling of customers’ applications.
Legal advice
The OCCI said in its statement that it intends to become a reference point for economic studies, including statistics and analysis of the Omani economy. Legal and economic advice services will be expanded for business owners. This service will also be available on the new website, with the possibility to directly contact a customer service agent. In addition, the OCCI is preparing for the establishment of the Muscat Arbitration Centre, which will settle commercial conflicts.
New facilities
The OCCI reported that a new building is coming up in Bosher. This building will meet the latest demands of investors and business owners.
Also new will be OCCI’s identity. Use of social media will be expanded, to reach out more to the youth. OCCI will establish a radio and TV section in the media department to expand outreach to the outside world. The magazine ‘Al Ghorfa’ will get a new appearance and will be renamed as ‘Al Iqtisadi’ and will cover all economic issues and activities in the Sultanate, OCCI said.
Attracting investment
In order to attract foreign investment and capital to Oman, the Foreign Investment Section will meet the demands of foreign investors, who seek to carry out projects in the Sultanate.
Finally, OCCI said it still believes in the importance of receiving economic delegations from abroad. Several visits in the past have resulted in large transactions or joint commercial projects. For this reason the OCCI will continue its existing efforts in this field, it said.
Going forward, delegations from China, Sri Lanka, Germany and Tanzania are expected to visit Oman.