OAB Wraps Up SME Training Roadshow in Nizwa, Reaffirms Commitment to Nationwide SME Growth - Middle East Business News and Information
Muscat. 22 June, 2025. Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has successfully concluded the third leg of its SME Development Training Roadshow, held in Nizwa from 17 to 18 June, 2025. Organized in collaboration with SME Development Authority and Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nizwa, under the Bank's flagship Tumouhi initiative, the event drew wide participation from aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in Al Dakhiliyah, continuing a nationwide mission to support and empower Oman's growing SME sector. The event was held under the auspices of H.E Sheikh Dr. Faisal bin Ali bin Rashid Al Zidi (Wali of Manah).
Following successful workshops in Muscat and Sohar earlier this year, the Nizwa event brought together a dynamic mix of sessions covering financial literacy, business strategy, marketing, and HR fundamentals. Designed to offer hands-on learning and real-world insights, the two-day workshop also served as a vibrant networking hub for local entrepreneurs and industry experts.
H.E Sheikh Dr. Faisal Al Zidi expressed his enthusiasm towards this initiative in supporting the SME sector, praising the government's steadfast approach and the great attention it pays to this vital sector, given its pivotal role in supporting the growth of the economy and enhancing its diversity. He emphasized that supporting entrepreneurs and emerging business owners contributes to creating new job opportunities and enhancing local innovation. H.E Sheikh Dr Faisal Al Zidi stated, 'This workshop is a true turning point for entrepreneurs. They would walk in with ideas, and leave with a plan, equipped with the confidence to take their businesses to the next level. The sessions were practical, relevant, and exactly what small business owners and entrepreneurs would need.'
Sulaiman Al Hinai, Chief Wholesale Banking Officer at Oman Arab Bank, commented on the roadshow's continued momentum, 'At Oman Arab Bank, we view SMEs as key drivers of economic resilience and innovation. Through Tumouhi, we're not just delivering training — we're creating access, building networks, and empowering business owners in every corner of the Sultanate. The response in Nizwa has been incredibly encouraging, and we remain committed to reaching even more regions with the tools and support SMEs need to thrive.'
The Tumouhi Roadshow is part of OAB's long-term strategy to promote financial inclusion, empower local talent, and align with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. By providing practical tools and strategic guidance, OAB aims to equip SMEs with the foundations to grow, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the national economy. The Bank has confirmed that future roadshows are in the pipeline, with a commitment to covering all regions across the Sultanate in the months ahead.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mid East Info
6 hours ago
- Mid East Info
OAB Wraps Up SME Training Roadshow in Nizwa, Reaffirms Commitment to Nationwide SME Growth - Middle East Business News and Information
Muscat. 22 June, 2025. Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has successfully concluded the third leg of its SME Development Training Roadshow, held in Nizwa from 17 to 18 June, 2025. Organized in collaboration with SME Development Authority and Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nizwa, under the Bank's flagship Tumouhi initiative, the event drew wide participation from aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in Al Dakhiliyah, continuing a nationwide mission to support and empower Oman's growing SME sector. The event was held under the auspices of H.E Sheikh Dr. Faisal bin Ali bin Rashid Al Zidi (Wali of Manah). Following successful workshops in Muscat and Sohar earlier this year, the Nizwa event brought together a dynamic mix of sessions covering financial literacy, business strategy, marketing, and HR fundamentals. Designed to offer hands-on learning and real-world insights, the two-day workshop also served as a vibrant networking hub for local entrepreneurs and industry experts. H.E Sheikh Dr. Faisal Al Zidi expressed his enthusiasm towards this initiative in supporting the SME sector, praising the government's steadfast approach and the great attention it pays to this vital sector, given its pivotal role in supporting the growth of the economy and enhancing its diversity. He emphasized that supporting entrepreneurs and emerging business owners contributes to creating new job opportunities and enhancing local innovation. H.E Sheikh Dr Faisal Al Zidi stated, 'This workshop is a true turning point for entrepreneurs. They would walk in with ideas, and leave with a plan, equipped with the confidence to take their businesses to the next level. The sessions were practical, relevant, and exactly what small business owners and entrepreneurs would need.' Sulaiman Al Hinai, Chief Wholesale Banking Officer at Oman Arab Bank, commented on the roadshow's continued momentum, 'At Oman Arab Bank, we view SMEs as key drivers of economic resilience and innovation. Through Tumouhi, we're not just delivering training — we're creating access, building networks, and empowering business owners in every corner of the Sultanate. The response in Nizwa has been incredibly encouraging, and we remain committed to reaching even more regions with the tools and support SMEs need to thrive.' The Tumouhi Roadshow is part of OAB's long-term strategy to promote financial inclusion, empower local talent, and align with the goals of Oman Vision 2040. By providing practical tools and strategic guidance, OAB aims to equip SMEs with the foundations to grow, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the national economy. The Bank has confirmed that future roadshows are in the pipeline, with a commitment to covering all regions across the Sultanate in the months ahead.
Mid East Info
6 days ago
- Mid East Info
Turning Smartphones into Sales Tools: OAB Leads Digital Innovation
Muscat. 16 June 2025. In a bold stride toward digital innovation and financial inclusion, Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has unveiled its cutting-edge Soft POS (Point of Sale) solution, transforming ordinary smartphones into secure, contactless payment terminals. This game-changing product is reshaping how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Oman conduct business—streamlining operations, boosting mobility, and reducing overhead. Designed with the needs of entrepreneurs, mobile vendors, and growing SMEs in mind, OAB's Soft POS system eliminates the cost and complexity of traditional POS devices. By simply downloading the 'OAB Mobile Pay' app on any NFC-enabled Android smartphone, merchants can start accepting card payments instantly—no cables, no paper, and no extra equipment. The system supports contactless payments via debit and credit cards, mobile wallets, and smart devices. It also offers digital receipts, real-time inventory management, tax tools, and liquidity tracking—all from the palm of the merchant's hand. Most merchants are up and running within 24 hours of applying. Mr Juma Al Fulaiti, Deputy Head of Retail Banking in Oman Arab Bank, stated, 'Our Soft POS solution reflects OAB's deep commitment to SME empowerment and financial accessibility. We believe in giving businesses the needed digital tools to thrive. So by reducing the barriers to cashless commerce, we're helping Oman's entrepreneurs grow with agility and confidence.' The technology was also on display at the Muscat International Book Fair 2025, where it facilitated a totally cashless experience, showcasing its scalability and ease of use during high-traffic events. As part of its broader digital banking strategy, Oman Arab Bank continues to bridge the gap between innovation and inclusion. And with the Soft POS platform, OAB is not only meeting the market's evolving needs but also enabling a smarter, faster, and more inclusive financial ecosystem, empowering a nation with intuitive solutions that drive forward customers, and enables them to persevere.
Middle East
7 days ago
- Middle East
OPEN// PM praises strategic partnership with EIB amid global challenges
CAIRO, June 15 (MENA) - Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has lauded the strategic partnership between the Egyptian government and the European Investment Bank (EIB), expressing his keenness to broaden avenues of cooperation with the Bank in the coming period, particularly in light of the serious geopolitical challenges currently facing the region and the world. The Prime Minister's remarks came during his meeting Sunday with Gelsomina Vigliotti, EIB Vice President for the Mashreq Region, and her accompanying delegation, on the sidelines of the Development Finance to Foster Private Sector-Led Growth & Jobs" conference in the New Administrative Capital. The meeting was attended by Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation Rania Al-Mashat. Madbouly praised the strong partnership with the EIB and its commitment to financing priority development projects in Egypt while supporting private sector growth. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to empowering and encouraging the private sector, which he described as a strategic partner in driving economic development. The premier noted that the share of private investments in total national investments has risen significantly in recent years, thanks to sustained government support. He added that the state had set clear targets for increasing private sector contribution; targets that have already been exceeded. Madbouly also highlighted Egypt's collaboration with key development partners, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), particularly in the state IPO program and in sectors such as airport management, telecommunications, and renewable energy. He emphasized that EIB contributions have played a major role in boosting private sector involvement. For her part, Vigliotti affirmed EIB's long-standing cooperation with Egypt, especially in the energy sector, with a special focus on renewables, describing Egypt as a promising market in this field. She also pointed to other areas of ongoing cooperation, including electricity networks and transmission infrastructure, and expressed the Bank's interest in collaborating with Egypt on water projects. Meanwhile, Mashat underscored the strong support provided by the EIB and the breadth of the Bank's cooperation with Egypt since 1979. She noted that the EIB has funded 127 projects worth approximately €14 billion across both public and private sectors. The minister stated that the current cooperation portfolio stands at around €2.9 billion, supporting 16 development projects in transport, environment, sanitation, civil aviation, and SMEs. She expressed her hope to further expand cooperation in the areas of SMEs and entrepreneurship. (MENA) M S H/R E E
