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EVENTS
OMANSME SUMMIT
“Reinvigorating the SME market in Oman”
Post Show Report – 2015
POST SHOW REPORT – 2015
SPONSORS AND MEDIA PARTNERS
PLATINUM SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSOR
OFFICIAL TELECOM PARTNER
STRATEGIC PARTNERS
MEDIA PARTNERSSTRATEGIC CAREER PARTNER
ASSOCIATE PARTNEREXHIBITORSKNOWLEDGE PARTNERS
OFFICIAL AIRLINES PARTNER
POST SHOW REPORT – 2015
SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
SMALL AND MEDIUM enterprises undoubtedly play a vital role in the growth of any economy. As an economy that has heavily depended on its Oil sector, the Sultanate of Oman is now actively pursuing a development plan focusing on diversification, industrialization and privatization, with special attention being paid to encourage young Omanis to enter the workforce and contribute to its GDP. A high-income economy like Oman, whose SME sector is still in its nascent stages, is yet to come to a stage where the SME sector is the primary contributor to the nation’s GDP.
OSMES15 provided a platform where regulators, facilitators, SME owners and aspiring entrepreneurs all converged together to discuss the way forward for the Omani SME sector.
The Honorable Chairman for the event, His Highness Al Sayyid Dr. Adham Turki Al Said opened up the Summit with his inspiring words, followed by the British and Indian ambassadors respectively. The first day progressed with many a thought-provoking presentation, garnering active participation from the delegates and dignitaries alike. The day also saw the much awaited launch of Startup Oman, the one stop shop for all things entrepreneur related. The panel discussions for the day also reviewed the various challenges faced by SMEs, the funds set in place for their growth, and finally culminating in identifying innovative methods in which small businesses can make a mark in the economy.
The second day commenced with presentations highlighting the need for designing the right SME program and how to attract and retain top talent for you small business. The day also saw the highly rated presentation on how crowd sourcing can help build your small business and help any new entrepreneur with the “next big idea” get their foot in the SME sector.
The panel discussion that got the most response and reviews was the one that focused on how Omani entrepreneurs can expand beyond their local boundaries into international markets. Moderated by the enterprising Dr. Jalal Al Hadhrami, the discussion that went on for over an hour invoked a lot of questions from the delegates tackling issues related to moving beyond the current and entering-capturing a new market. The day came to a close with the discussion that saw the contribution of women entrepreneurs to the growth of the Omani economy.
The SME sector will continue to be in the limelight in Oman for years to come, and IFM Events will be at the forefront bringing new and engaging topics within this stream as many of our delegates have requested. With OSMES15 and future events we hope to see substantial change as a result of the deliberation and discussion, and continue to reinvigorate the SME sector.
Event Summary
– Raphael ParambiSME Development Fund
We’ve had a number of events in the country on SMEs, but this was one of the more active events that we’ve had. The participation was excellent and so was the interest level, both from the audience and the panel. I think it was a very good initiative and a great success so far, and hope to see you next year!”
POST SHOW REPORT – 2015
SPEAKERS
HONOURABLE CHAIRMANHH Al SayyidDr. Adham Turki Al SaidPartner,The Firm for Business andEconomic Consulting
Jonathan Paul Wilks CMGBritish Ambassador tothe Sultanate of Oman
HE Mr. Indra ManiPandeyIndian Ambassador tothe Sultanate ofOman
GUEST OF HONOURHE Dr. Ali SaudAl-BemaniVice Chancellor,Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)
Paul GregorowitschChief Executive OfficerOman Air SAOC
Aysha Al-MudahkaChief Executive OfficerQatar Business Incubation Center
SPEAKERS
Sami Omar Al HassanNomou Oman Fund Manager & Investment Executive ofGroFin Oman
James J. MacleodGeneral Manager,Zeenah PR
Chris BreezeCountry ChairmanShell Development Oman
Dr. Khalfan MohamedAl BarwaniVice President EconomicResearch & Statistics,Financial Stability, andInternational Relation,Central Bank of Oman
Musallam Rashid Al Mandhari CEOOPAL
Duha AwayesServices,Protiviti
Dr. Dalia Samra-RotheDeputy CEO and Director AHK Abu Dhabi
Rym AoudiaPresident,Knowledge Oman
William CrewCEOInspired Solutions
Suhail MasriVP of Sales,Bayt.com
Nasima Yahya Zirook Al-BalushiDirector GeneralExport Development, Public Authorityfor Investment Promotion andExport Development (Ithraa)
Nadia Maqbool Al LawatiDirector,23 Degrees North
Raphael V. ParambiCEO,SME Development Fund
Shaima Murtadha Ali Al LawatiFounding Partner Oman & SeniorSustainability and SocialInvestment Advisor,Sustainable Square Oman
Nasra AbdulrahmanMohammedPartner & BusinessDevelopment Manager,Tawasul
Shatha Al MaskiryCountry Managing Director,Protiviti
Pankaj KhimjiDirector,Khimji Ramdas LLC
Maryam Al AmriFounder and CEO,Youth Vision
Stefano VirgilliGeneral Manager,Al Majarah Businessand Development
Anvwar Al BalushiChairman,Anvwar Asian Investments
Raman TrehanVP, Commercial & Logistics,Jindal Shadeed Iron &Steel LLC (JSIS)
Sherry ColbourneManaging Partner,Startup Oman
Paul SteeleDirector of Training,AMIDEAST
Rashid Al BarwaniFounder/Director ofRevGX-Fitness,RevGX
Dr. Jalal SalehAl HadhramiChairman/Founder,Celebrity Global Holdings
Amararam GujarCommercial Representative,Embassy of India, Muscat
Nicholas PattisonBoard Director,Oman-British FriendshipAssociation/TruckomanGroup SAOG
Ali Bakhit KashoobSenior Manager, Product Development,Oman TelecommunicationsCompany S.A.O.G
POST SHOW REPORT – 2015
PRESS COVERAGE
News Links http://www.wamda.com/2015/10/one-stop-shop-omans-entrepreneurs-launcheshttp://www.timesofoman.com/article/72350/Business/Economy/Event-was-held-at-the-Al-Bustan-Palace-Hotel-Ritz-Carlton-recently-and-aimed-to-'reinvigorate-the-SMhttp://issuu.com/eshabiba/docs/t16-09-2015/c/spsjuewhttp://omangbnews.com/news/2015/08/18/two-day-sme-summit-to-be-held-in-muscat
POST SHOW REPORT – 2015
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Key Takeaways
The Numbers matter...
Job Title Breakdown
0
20
40
60
80
100 Chairmen, CXOs & MDs : 56
Founders & Owners : 14GMs & Directors : 37Managers - SME Heads, ICV, other : 42
of our participants also mentionedthey would recommend this event to their peers87%
92%
92% of our participants considered the event tobe Excellent or Good
of our participants said they would be interested inattending the event again next year
• The introduction of an Entrepreneurship chapter which is led by the private sector. Entrepreneurs would be encouraged to join the chapter against a minimal membership fees and it would elect a board members who will speak on behalf of the entrepreneurs in Oman with government organizations and other private corporations. Although it sounds similar to the chambers of commerce, this chapter is much more adaptable to the needs and age group of the entrepreneurs in the country, as the board is manned by elected members from the entrepreneurs themselves. Such a move would help facilitate communicating the needs and suggestions given by the entrepreneurs and come up with solutions and recommendations on how to tackle the obstacles they face in regards of the issuance of license and obtaining permits and working visas for their manpower needs.
• The introduction of the Venture Capital model in Oman, and the benefits that VCs can bring to the industry. Unlike standard commercial loans or government funds/grants, VC provides what we call "smart money". Smart money stands for a mixture of funding, mentorship, providing know-how and opening channels for the entrepreneurs. We also explained that VCs invest in equity and their investment is not considered as a loan, which helps reduce the stress on the entrepreneur and reduces their risk.
• Helping SMEs expand beyond the borders and ways in which the Omani government to facilitate such interested companies to setup offices in specific markets whether regionally or internationally.
• Discussed the difference between entrepreneurship education and actual training and mentoring. Although the academic education is important, it is imperative to provide them with practical training followed by mentoring and coaching. This could be done through the incubation programs at various levels.
• Using loan guarantee to finance SMEs
• More sensitivity to SMEs/ face less bureaucracy
• Building an elite class of entrepreneurs. Attracting talented labor force from within or outside Oman, which in turn creates businesses that create value for Oman, eventually giving opportunities to export its goods and services.
• A body that will “match-make” the opportunities available within huge projects to smaller businesses that they can tap into these with their area of expertise.
• Is the Omani environment ready for other sources of financing like Crowdfunding?
• Pushing SMEs towards the manufacturing sector
• Setting up a board/body along with Ithraa to guide the SMEs
• Empower the OCCI instead of it being a quasi-Government body and have representative offices
The summit had a lot of entrepreneurs, regulators, private sector business leaders, and this was a very good set up, because at the end of the day it wasn’t only talk. We actually came up with a lot of recommendations, that I believe if are accumulated into points and raised to the right decision makers it really will make a difference in the Oman SME Sector.” – Dr. Jalal Al Hadhrami
Celebrity Global Holdings
Totally impressed with the organizations level, the venue, the speakers and panel selections. Well done IFM! By far the best SME event for the year 2015!”
– Sami Al HassanGroFin
Privileged and honored to be a part of this Summit. A very interesting forum that every entrepreneur should attend for networking opportunities.”
– Maria JosephineHadhab Bowsher Trad & Cont Co Ltd.
The Oman SME Summit 2015 has been a wonderful platform bringing the various stakeholders of the entrepreneurship program. This would help facilitate the process for integrated results.”
– Dr. Jaya SangeethaCelebrity Global Holdings
Thank you for having such a wonderful and successful international conference. The quality of the speakers and entrepreneurs were excellent. Overall, I had a great time and so when you do this next, please do let us know”
– Humaira MumtazHCT College
It was a great experience for me as a small entrepreneur to meet a large sector of the large & medium sized companies.”
– Islam Abbas DassehHigher College of Technology
POST SHOW REPORT – 2015
OUR THANK YOU
But the Value added matters more...
How to participate in year 2016?
Submitting Paper Proposal:Feel free to reach out to us with your paper proposal on any topic pertaining to SMEs.
Contact: Abraham Varghese | Conference ProducerE: [email protected] | T: +44 (0) 207 1936 304
Participating As A Delegate:You can always contribute by sharing your knowledge with your peers and colleagues.
Contact: Rahul Bihani | Marketing Head-EventsE: [email protected] | T: +44 (0) 207 1936 304
Exhibiting Or Sponsoring At The Event:In 2016, the event will be expanding its exhibition area and will offer an opportunity for exhibiting and showcasing your latest technologies, services, and products. We offer tailor made packages to sponsor the event based on your marketing budget.
Contact: Basant Das | Head of Events E: [email protected] | T: +44 (0) 207 1936 304
We extend our gratitude to… – Our Sponsors, Partners and Endorsers, for supporting our efforts and helping us put together a successful event– Our Speakers, Panelists and Advisors, for the insightful perspectives they brought to the table and sharing their vast knowledge on the subject– Our Delegates, who actively participated and contributed to the presentations and panel discussions, which truly was the intended outcome of this event
We are elated that you chose to participate in Oman SME Summit 2015 in Muscat, Oman and we got a chance to meet you! We believe that this event was beneficial for you, both in terms of learning and networking. We hope to make this a lasting relationship and not just a one-time meeting and look forward to meeting you for the next chapter of Oman SME Summit!
… and IFM Event’s OSMES15 Project Team
Organized ByINTERNATIONAL FINANCEPUBLICATIONS LIMITED 843 Finchley Road, London, NW11 8NATel: +44 (0) 208 123 9436 | Email: [email protected]
Abraham VargheseConference Producer
