OABC elects new BoD

Muscat: The Oman American Business Center (OABC) organised its Biennial General Meeting at the Sundus Rotana to review its progress over the past two years and to provide attendees with a unique networking opportunity.
Welcoming OABC company members, VIPs from the Oman business community, and representatives from the US Embassy, the event concluded with OABC’s biennial Board of Directors election. A host of new and returning board members were elected, including some of the Sultanate’s most accomplished private sector executives and entrepreneurs.
During the OABC’s elections, 7 members of the centre were elected to serve on the board. Four members maintained ex-officio or permanent seats including Ali Daud, President and CEO of Daud Sons International as well as Chairman of the OABC; Emmee Haun, Co-founder of the OABC; Fouad Eid, Vice-President of the OABC and Regional Vice President, Apergy; and Andrew Barwig, Commercial Officer at the US Embassy in Muscat.
“Since our last general meeting, the OABC has joined the US Chamber of Commerce as its official affiliate in Oman, and has also built up its regional relationships with other AmChams (affiliates) and partners,” commented Daud. "For the past 15 years, the organisation has been a platform that unites members of the business community across multiple sectors with opportunities to boost ties with their American counterparts. Together, we have witnessed and helped nurture the burgeoning commercial ties that bind Oman and the USA, fulfilling our role as a gateway to better understanding, opportunities, and partnerships.”
Fouad Eid, Vice President of the OABC, also commented, saying, “As a professional membership organisation, the OABC has experienced significant growth in the past 2 years, despite challenging times for many businesses. We find that now, more than ever, new companies are signing up for membership and seeking out events where they can network and build strong relationships in the Oman business community. We are delighted to report that total membership in the organization is up 27%, bringing the total number of member companies to 165.”
Rebecca Olson, Executive Director of the OABC, also commented: “The combination of new executives constantly joining the organisation, together with the commitment of our long-time members, adds a new level of vibrancy to our networking and knowledge-sharing events, as well as new opportunities for all.”
The OABC also announced its new mobile app at the event. The app will host exclusive offers on B2B services only available to members of the organisation. It will also allow member companies to advertise to high-level executives and promote their events, programmes and initiatives throughout OABC’s full network of business leaders and professionals.
A key reference point for SMEs, entrepreneurs, and business executives, the OABC was founded to maintain the strong economic bonds between business communities in the Sultanate and the USA. The OABC has grown more than threefold over the last several years and has risen to become one of the Sultanate’s most active business groups with around 30 events annually. In addition to a wide variety of benefits set to be introduced later this year, the OABC has organised several highly informative seminars since its last BGM, including the ‘Oman’s Evolving Legislative and Tax Landscape’ and the Renewable Energy Series, among other events.