As the name of the finalists are announced, BusinessToday takes a look at those who made it to the prestigious list

FLAME OF EXCELLENCE 2005

Oman Cables Industry
Oman Cables Industry (OCI) is a manufacturer and exporter of high quality cables. The com-pany provides high quality wiring solutions in a number of countries. Says Mohammed al Lawati, assistant general manager, “Oman Cables was the first company to get an ISO certification, it was the first company to think in terms of quality and the Flame of Excellence nomination proves that we are moving in the right direction.” OCI prides itself on its R&D capabilities, which has enabled it to develop a high level of in-house technical competence.

Taageer Finance
Taageer Finance Company is the youngest non-banking finance company in the sultanate. Commencing operations in September 2001, it has become the fastest growing finance com-pany during a short span. Says Mohammed al Kharusi, general manager, Taageer, “These awards are prestigious and go a long way in sending out the right message to the market. The People Development Award nomination shows that Taageer invests in its people.” The company has reported consistent growth in its asset base, income and profitability. Its portfolio includes retail finance and corporate finance.

Oman Textile Holding Company
Oman Textile Holding Company is a part of the Omar Zawawi Establishment (Omzest) group. Having started operations in 1988, the company has emerged as a leader in textile and apparel in the last few years. Says U K Dhar, manager, processing, “It feels great to be nominated. Such recognitions charge a company and keeps it going.”

Sun Packaging
Sun Packaging is the first company to offer flexible packaging products in Oman. The company has made a mark for itself in the Middle East market for its rotagravure printing in both line tones and half tones. Its vision is to provide customers with cost effective and innovative packaging solutions.

Matrah Cold Stores
Matrah Cold Stores (MCS) is a leading marke-ting and distribution company in Oman. It has business interests in retailing, distribution of food and tobacco products and cold store operations. A part of the W J Towell group, MCS handles brands like Masafi and Nawras in the sultanate. “We are delighted by this recognition. It helps us to see where we stand and it helps us to raise standards,” says Dominic Myers, general manager.

EXPORTER OF THE YEAR

Al Jazeera Tube Mills
Established in 1998, the company manufactures GI (galvanised iron) and MS (mild steel) pipes. In addition to the Omani market, the company has a wide spread distribution agent network that operates in the Gulf region, Sudan, Spain, the UK and America. With its cutting edge technology and packed with zeal to grow globally, the company also undertakes user specific requirements with low lead-time for production.

Ali & Abdul Kareem Group (AATCO)
Established in 1994, Ali Abdul Kareem Trading Company is one of the leading foodstuff manufacturing companies in Oman. It produces a wide range of quality foodstuffs such as tomato ketchup, hot sauces, jellies, mayonnaise and various types of sauces. The company has received a number of quality certifications, including ISO9002 and HACCP certification. Its products have found acceptance in several regional and international markets.

Oman Cables Industry
Refer to Flame of Excellence

TOURISM AWARD

Muscat Diving & Adventure Centre
This inbound tour operator specialises in a range of outdoor activities including dolphin watching, snorkeling and game fishing. It has been promoting adventure tourism in Oman for seven years now with its special package of a day with the local bedu family for true experience of life in Oman.

Safeer Group of Hotels
Safeer Hotels offer visitors to Oman the convenience of four strategically located hotel suites and apartments – Safeer Hotel Suites, Nuzha Hotel Apartments, Al-Khuwair Hotel Apartments and Ghaba Rest House. The uniqueness of the Safeer chain of hotel suites and apartments lie in providing a living heritage of Oman together with superb comfort, immaculate service and modern facilities.

Zahara Tours
Zahara Tours, Oman’s premier leading destination and leisure management company, specialises in FITs, groups, conferences, charters, incentives, special interest groups, cruises and adventure tours. It enjoys a high reputation for professionally efficient service, employing multilingual tour guides with a fleet of deluxe air-conditioned luxury coaches and various categories of vehicles. The company has thus developed into a reputed and well established organisation specialising in the tourism field.

PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT AWARD

BankMuscat
The leading bank in the country has extensively worked on its employees with focused career paths defined for them. It has a talent pool that is harnessed with regular training and devel-opment programmes for its employees, enabling them to stay focused with their respective goals. It also has a systematic induction process that enables employees to fit into their roles easily and work effectively.

Safeer Group of Hotels
Refer to Tourism Award

Taageer Finance Company
Refer to Flame of Excellence

PUBLIC SERVICE INITIATIVE AWARD

Muscat Securities Market
The Muscat Securities Market (MSM) has been recognised as one of the most accessible of the Arab stock markets, and the region’s most prog-ressive, best regulated and transparent capital markets. MSM has received global recognition with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) including the sultanate’s stock market in its global index (IFCG). Dealing with securities in Oman started in the early 70s. MSM commenced trading officially in 1989, which constituted an important step towards regulating the securities market in the sultanate.

Ministry of Manpower
The Ministry of Manpower has successfully implemented the Omanisation drive during the last couple of years. The ministry has taken into account the ground realities and moved ahead. The ministry has been able to bring about a partnership between the government and the private sector in working towards this goal. The ministry’s Sanad Fund has helped numerous Omani entrepreneurs to set up their own shop.

Ministry of Sports Affairs
The Ministry of Sports Affairs under H E Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidi has taken numerous strides in promoting sports in Oman. The formation of the Ministry of Sports Affairs in 2005 brought about as new concept in sports development, management and marketing. H E Sunaidi has worked towards roping in the private sector to encourage sports. While football still continues to get the maximum attention, the ministry is also trying to promote other games like swi-mming and tennis.

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

Oman International Trade and Exhibitions (OITE)
OITE is the sultanate’s leader in organising international events and a provider of direct marketing services. OITE strives to work towards more sustainable and continuous improvement in the following four principles: relations, knowledge, history and reputation and future aspirations. It organises events to add value to the business community and economic sectors it serves, by introducing the latest and the best solutions.

Sadaf Trading Enterprise
Having started in 2003, this gift and flower shop has made a mark for itself in Oman in a short span. Its colourful shop in Madinat as Sultan Qaboos is hard to miss. Sadaf also undertakes decoration for weddings and other ceremonies. “The nomination encourages us to do better. To be honest I was surprised to be nominated as this is the second time that we have made it to the finalists list,” says Sahar al Kaabi, proprietor and general manager, Sadaf.

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

Occidental of Oman
In 1983, Occidental discovered the 300mn barrel Safah field in the Suneinah Concession(Block 9) in Oman located in the northwest, along the border with the UAE. The success at Safah was followed by the discovery of more than 160mn gross barrels from 190 producing wells, most from the Safah field. Finding a balance between the increasing demand for energy and preserving the environment is a challenge that Occidental takes seriously. The company adheres to the highest safety standards in its operations and abides by a stringent code of ethics in all its businesses.

Oman Refinery Company
Established as a limited liability company in 1982, Oman Refinery Company (ORC) started out with an initial refining capacity of 50,000 barrels per day. The refinery now operates 24 hours a day and processes 85,000bpd which comes close to meeting the nation’s total demand for LPG, motor gasoline, aviation fuel, diesel and fuel oil. ORC is the single supply source of petroleum products in the sultanate. Maintaining quality while growing its business has been a core focus for the company.

Petroleum Development Oman
This major oil and gas company in the sultanate generates more than 85,000 barrels of oil per day. Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) accounts for more than 90 per cent of the country’s crude oil production and nearly all of its natural gas supply. PDO is well aware of its responsibilities as a good corporate citizen. The company undertook an environmental risk assessment survey in 2000 and an environmental impact assessment study in 1999.