Visa names new country manager for Oman
Visa has announced the appointment of Nasser Bdeir as Country Manager for Oman, effective May 25. He is based out of Visa's Riyadh office, the company's regional headquarters for Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain. Nasser succeeds Manish Gautam, who was in the role since 2019 and has now transitioned to Visa's regional HQ in Riyadh to manage Visa Commercial Solutions—one of Visa's strategically important businesses across Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman.
With Visa since 2013, Nasser assumes his new role after leading key markets and functions in the GCC, including Head of Financial Institutions and managing leading banks, driving growth and innovation for merchants and fintechs, and market development. Before Visa, Nasser spent 5 years with Banque Saudi Fransi.
Bdeir said, 'I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead our operations in an exciting market such as Oman. I am looking forward to working closely with our clients to introduce new payment innovations that benefit Omani consumers and businesses. We are deeply committed to supporting the Oman government's cashless agenda and creating an inclusive, resilient digital economy where everyone, everywhere in Oman can participate and be empowered by the benefits digital commerce offers.'
Oman has established a progressive regulatory framework to enable the growth of the Sultanate's digital economy. Despite progress with the economy's digital transformation, around 25% of Oman consumer transactions are still in cash, according to Visa's recent Where Cash Hides research.
For Visa, this represents an opportunity for the Oman payments industry to further drive financial inclusion and digitize commerce in the Sultanate. Visa is committed to the government's cashless agenda by continuing to support its partner banks and new entrants with its payment innovations as well as its global network of 4.6 billion cardholders and more than 150 million merchant partners.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
30 minutes ago
- Muscat Daily
Ajwaa al Ashkhara Festival returns with more attractions
Sur – The Ajwaa al Ashkhara Festival will return for its third edition this summer with expanded facilities and a broader programme of activities, aiming to attract more visitors from across Oman and the Gulf region. Scheduled to run from July 16 to August 9 in the coastal wilayat of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali, the festival is organised by the Governorate of South Sharqiyah in partnership with government and private sector entities. It will be held under the slogan 'Natarayakom' (We Await You), promoting Al Ashkhara's reputation as a key summer destination. Mohammed bin Humaid al Ghabshi, Wali of Jaalan Bani Bu Ali and chairman of the organising committee, said preparations are on track to deliver a high-quality event that meets visitor expectations. Significant improvements have been made to the festival grounds, which have been expanded by 16,000sqm. Upgrades include a new perimeter fence, paved pathways, enhanced light poles and a new parking area for up to 300 vehicles on the site's southern side. Additional upgrades include increasing green cover at the site, replacement of old beach umbrellas and construction of four public restrooms along the coastal road from Al Daffa to Al Ashkhara. This year's festival will feature a main stage for cultural performances, an electronic games zone, and a market for small businesses and artisan families. Coffee shops and restaurants will cater to visitors, while organisers estimate that around 90 temporary jobs will be created during the event. A highlight of the festival will be a village called 'Abaq al Turath' (Scent of Heritage) showcasing traditional Omani culture. A market with booths set up by public and private organisations will underline the link between tourism and economic development, encouraging local participation. According to Ghabshi, the festival is designed to offer a complete tourism experience while supporting local development and providing economic opportunities for the community. More than 320,000 people visited the second edition of the festival in 2024. With expanded offerings and improved infrastructure, organisers expect the 2025 edition to draw even larger crowds.
Muscat Daily
30 minutes ago
- Muscat Daily
MCSY approves 61 youth initiatives in Oman for 2025
Muscat – Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth (MCSY) has launched the 2025 edition of its Youth Initiatives Support Programme, approving 61 projects across the sultanate. The initiatives span the fields of culture, health, sports, economy, media, religion, environment and entrepreneurship with the aim of benefiting diverse segments of society. Hilal bin Saif al Siyabi, Director General of Youth Affairs at MCSY, said the programme reflects an ongoing commitment to backing youth-led projects that address community needs and align with Oman Vision 2040. Priority areas include innovation, sustainability and social development. 'Youth initiatives are voluntary, non-profit projects designed and carried out by Omani youth to tackle development and social issues,' Siyabi said. He added that the programme encourages leadership, active citizenship and respect for national cultural values. According to the ministry, the programme creates a collaborative framework connecting youth with government institutions, allowing young people to propose practical solutions while gaining skills in project management and planning. Support includes training, consultations and capacity-building sessions, as well as logistical help with venues, transport and official processes. Financial backing is available for projects that meet quality standards and align with ministry priorities. Applications for 2025 were submitted via the ministry's website and screened under strict criteria, including leaders being Omani youth, and projects being non-profit and having clear and measurable goals. MCSY has also launched advanced training for programme leaders, focusing on modern tools, capacity building and alignment with national development plans. The next phase will emphasise high-quality content and a decentralised support model tailored to each governorate. Since its inception in 2016, the programme has supported over 600 initiatives, benefiting more than 150,000 young men and women. It has also helped organise national exhibitions and events, raising awareness and recognition of youth-led efforts. To strengthen oversight, the ministry has developed a comprehensive guide and an electronic system to evaluate and enhance initiatives in partnership with public and private sector stakeholders.
Muscat Daily
an hour ago
- Muscat Daily
3 more Omani universities listed in QS world rankings
Muscat – Oman has improved its standing as a regional and global centre for higher education with the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) report showing significant gains in research output and international rankings. Launched in Muscat on Monday under the patronage of Dr Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Head of Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit, the QS report – titled 'The Advanced Potential of Higher Education in the Sultanate of Oman' – noted a 36.9% rise in research output in 2024 compared to 2023. Dr Mariam al Nabhani, Director General of Private Universities and Colleges, said education and research continue to be central to Oman Vision 2040. She highlighted the fact that the number of Omani universities in the QS World University Rankings 2026 has increased from two last year to five this year. 'This reflects rapid development of the sector,' Mariam said, adding that Vision 2040 aims to have four Omani universities ranked among the top 500 globally by 2040. Dr Mariam al Nabhani Sultan Qaboos University moved up to 334th worldwide, from 362nd in 2025. Sohar University advanced to the 951–1000 band, up from 1001–1200. Three private institutions entered the QS rankings for the first time: Unive-rsity of Nizwa (761–770), Dhofar University (851–900) and German University of Technology in Oman (1001–1200). Mariam attributed the progress to quality improvements in education, research capacity and innovation. She said Omani institutions have aligned their structures to meet QS standards, which assess academic reputation, research quality, employer perception, international collaboration and student diversity. 'The QS report supports our universities in gaining global recognition and achieving Vision 2040 targets,' she said. Dr Moosa al Kindi, Dean of Modern College of Business and Science, described the report as a milestone for Oman's education sector, underlining how higher education institutions contribute to national development through research and innovation. The report, he added, demonstrates Oman's commitment to building a knowledge-based economy and enhancing its position in the global academic community.
