Muscat – Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) will host a forum called ‘Women at the Top’ on January 30, marking a significant step in supporting and empowering Omani women in the economic sector. At the forum, OCCI will launch a new platform for Omani businesswomen, aiming to stimulate the economy and foster women’s entrepreneurship.

Speaking to Muscat Daily, an OCCI official informed that the forum will take place at the chamber’s headquarters in Ruwi at 6:30pm under the patronage of H H Dr Mona bint Fahd al Said, Assistant Vice-Chancellor of Sultan Qaboos University for International Cooperation.

“The forum is designed to inspire women to invest in their personal and professional growth, offering support to develop their skills, while introducing a dedicated platform for women business owners.”

The forum seeks to create a space for building business and professional relationships, exploring opportunities in the business community, and enhancing leadership and management skills through interaction and experience sharing. It also aims to showcase inspiring and successful business stories and models, while addressing the challenges faced by women in business.

The impending launch of the new platform has generated positive reaction among businesswomen. Khadijah Mubark al Batashi, Managing Director of East Coast of Organising Exhibitions, expressed her enthusiasm saying, “The forum and the platform are crucial steps in empowering Omani women economically. The platform will facilitate exchange of experiences among Omani businesswomen, boost investment and stimulate commercial activity. It will also be instrumental in promoting their institutions and businesses both within and outside Oman.”

Jokha al Harthy, an SME owner, highlighted the platform’s potential of supporting SME owners and promoting their products, especially those in the cottage industry.

She emphasised the need of regular forums like ‘Women at the Top’ saying, “Holding such forums will allow us to learn from the success stories of women business owners in various economic sectors.” Jokha also pointed out its broader economic benefits, including stimulating the economy, increasing national income and assisting women jobseekers in establishing projects in diverse sectors.

The Women at the Top forum and launch of the new platform for Omani businesswomen are poised to be groundbreaking initiatives, offering them new avenues for economic empowerment and growth.