Muscat – The Business Year (TBY) launched its annual publication, The Business Year: Oman 2021/22, Special Vision 2040 Edition at Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre on Sunday. It was launched in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, and the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit under the patronage of H E Qais al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion.

TBY is a global media group that has been providing investors, businesses and governments with insights into the world’s most dynamic markets for over a decade.

At the launch event, some of the top public and private-sector leaders came together to discuss the socioeconomic reinvention of the sultanate following the challenges of COVID-19 in several industries including airlines, investment and banking.

H E Yousef kicked off the event by discussing work to build a pro-business enterprise environment and attract foreign investment. On behalf of the government and public entities, he stated that all incentives are most welcomed.

“We want Oman to be a place where, more than anything, business can grow, succeed, and thrive,” he said.

“The purpose of the plan created is to increase private-sector resilience, attract investment, and assist post-COVID-19 recovery while protecting Omani workers. Historic steps are being taken to place Oman alongside the developed nations of the world.”

Abdullah al Hakmani, head of Programmes Management Office at the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation and Follow-up Unit, made a presentation on the pillars and national priorities that the vision features, focusing on a society of creative individuals, a competitive economy, an environment with sustainable components and responsible state agencies. He noted the main challenges that the country will face in its current and upcoming stages, showcasing confidence in national enablers and implementation programmes to attract direct added-value investment.

The event featured a panel discussion on the main incentives for investing in Oman, how firms are diversifying abroad, and which sectors will play a key role in the diversification of the local economy. Speakers included Anwar al Jabri, group president-Investment Banking at Ominvest and CEO of Jabreen Capital; Aimen al Hosni, CEO of Oman Airports; Mohammed al Harthy, executive vice president of Oman Environmental Service Holding Company (be’ah); Saleh al Rumhi, CEO of Oman Electricity and Transmission Company; and Khaled al Kayed, CEO of Bank Nizwa.

The publication features interviews with 150 leaders from the business community.