Hino opens integrated facility

An integrated sales, spares and service facility for Hino's range of vehicles was launched at Bausher last week in a ceremony conducted under the patronage of H E Hamed Sulieman al Gharibi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources. H E Keiji Omori, the Japanese Ambassador, Masakazu Ichikawa, senior managing director of Hino Motors, and Keiichirou Utsumi, manager, Middle East Group, also attended the ceremony.

The welcome address was delivered by Mohammed Saud Bahwan, president, Saud Bahwan Group, which holds the franchise for Hino. The new facility, built on 41,000 sq metres, offers a complete solution to Hino owners and operators. This integrated facility of sales, service and spare parts is a one-point shop for all needs relating to Hino business. With 24 service bays, it is a well-equipped modern tool room with expert and trained technicians. Hino spare parts are now available in this new facility, backed by a warehouse in the same premises, thus serving customer needs efficiently.

Parts availability has substantially increased and elaborate logistics have been developed to ensure excellent availability at all times. The facility houses a well-appointed training centre for customers and technicians to keep them abreast of the latest trends and developments.

Says a spokesman for the Saud Bahwan Group, "With the inauguration of the new facility, customers in the sultanate can look forward to greater levels of satisfaction and care in what has become the beginning of a gratifyingly new Hino ownership experience."

NBO bags best bank award

CEO Andrew Duff says the honour is a testimony to the success the structural reforms the bank has undertaken

The Banker and Financial Times Business has chosen National Bank of Oman (NBO) as the best bank in the sultanate for the year 2006. NBO was founded in 1973 and is today the second largest bank in Oman with a paid up capital of RO80mn and a net worth of RO168mn, as on December 31, 2005. Having gone through a restructuring process, NBO has made a strong comeback, posting a profit of RO20.32mn in 2005. This is a 289.30 per cent increase over 2004. The bank has continued its good showing in 2006 with a third quarter results of RO20.5mn.

Says Andrew Duff, CEO, NBO, “It is a great honour and privilege to be included in the company of a select group of banks and financial institutions from around the globe who are rated as the best in their respective markets in 2006. The selection of NBO as the best bank in the Sultanate of Oman for 2006 by the The Banker magazine is a testimony to the success of our new strategy for becoming the top bank in Oman, our fantastic customer base and the structural reforms the bank has undertaken, including its strategic alliance with the Commercial Bank of Qatar. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks and congratulations to all who have cont-ributed to this achievement, particularly the members of the board of directors, staff members and all our customers for their confidence and continued support that has helped us to achieve this outstanding result.”

Hamptons enters mortgage market

Hamptons International has established a mortgage advisory division in Oman. The mortgage advisory division is aimed at providing independent advice to property buyers seeking mortgages in the country. Hamptons has already established a reputation as one of the finest mortgage advisory services in the UK.

Says general manager Christopher Steel, “The introduction of the mortgage division is a sign of Hamptons’ confidence in Oman and we will continually adapt our services so that we can represent the sultanate in its efforts to attract inward foreign investment.”
Hamptons has appointed Lee O’Donoghue to manage the advisory service. “The primary function of the division is to create an environment for our clients where they are informed of all mortgage packages on offer.”

Return of the enterprise

The 2006 Intilaaqah awards put a whole new crop of young Omani entrepreneurs in the limelight

At the Intilaaqah awards last year, 23 year old Ayman al Rahbi took home the best young entrepreneur award for his project Spa Bar that offered beauty and grooming services for men. The winning ideas weren't quite so new age at the 2006 Intilaaqah awards, held at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) this time around. Rather it seemed like a return to the old school of thought that entrepreneurs don't necessarily create new products and services, they just conduct their business in a smarter way. Says Dr Andrew Wood, Shell country chairman in Oman, "The ideas this year were more conventional than what we observed in 2005. But they are inspiring nevertheless. We had an entrepreneur who built his business with what little funds he had. He didn't take a loan but worked with his existing resources. Similarly, one of the finalists is a lady who has involved her neighbours in her business to create a community trade of sorts."
Intilaaqah is part of Shell's social investment programme in Oman, and provides support to young Omanis intending to start their own business. Of the 200 applications received for the Intilaaqah awards this year, 12 finalists were chosen, and further judged by a panel. Winning the best young entrepreneur award worth RO5,000 was Salalah-based Aneesa Said Baet Katheer. The 25 year old, who started her bridal shop with support from the Sanad programme, believes that providing everything from
wedding dresses for sale and rent to flowers and other accessories at one stop adds value to her business. "We have been doing well in the last year and a half that we have been in business."

Majed al Balushi won the most promising start-up award for his shop that provides custom designs and maintenance for aquariums. Another winner was Raya al Habsi for best business idea, with her tailoring workshop that has become a draw and a training point for her neighbouring community. Mazin al Qarni's Yamees Trading won the prizes for best prog-ressed start-up and best display, both carrying prize money of RO1,000 each. Layali al Maamari, owner of a Saham-based salon, won the award for best business in terms of Omanisation.

Assarain group launches new insurance services

The insurance industry in Oman has a new entrant – Assarain Insurance Services. With close to two decades in the insurance advisory business, the Assarain group is no greenhorn in insurance space. The new company brings about one significant change – the business which functioned as a division within the larger group is now a full fledged company, equipped to handle end-to-end insurance solutions, thanks to a recently acquired broking licence.

Assarain Insurance will offer services like risk assessment, advice on the best possible coverage and claim settlement in all classes of general and life insurances. Says N G Vishwanathan, insurance manager, "Our services have always been built on strong principles that are a legacy of the Assarain Group – of honesty, trust and integrity. Through hard work and focus on these principles, we have earned a reputation for offering the best possible risk coverage at competitive prices, fast claims handling and quick settlement." According to international reports, world insurance premiums (property/casualty and life/health) totalled US$3.4tn in 2005. In Oman, the insurance industry registered a 14.9 per cent growth in premium income to RO117.27mn (2005 figures). According to a Capital Market Authority report the insurance sector in the sultanate has immense growth potential.

A Slice of Resurgence

On his first visit to the sultanate, Osamu Masuko, president, Mitsubishi Motor Corporation, said that the GCC market had played a major part in the company's resurgence. It had been facing serious financial troubles with huge losses two years ago when it split from Daimler Chrysler, a major shareholder until then. In 2006 the company appears to be back on track having introduced one new model and many other models in the offing.

"Overseas business accounts for 80 per cent of our sales, of which the Middle East has a significant share," says Masuko. Describing it as a promising market, he said there has been a significant growth in the GCC market between 2004 and 2006, up to 32 per cent. "I have come here to appreciate Oman's contribution to our growth and resurgence."

Says Justin Barnett, general manager, Zubair Automotive, "Between 2005 and 2006 there has been a growth of 19 to 20 per cent. We appreciate Mitsubishi's commitment to the Omani market." Immediate plans include the introduction of new models over the next few years. "We plan to launch three new models by the middle of next year. We have already launched the new Gallant. The market trend is moving away from large sedans so we will concentrate on the mid-size segment," says Masuko.

The target for this year will be between 1.35mn to 1.4mn units. "Of this about five per cent will be for the GCC market." Asked whether he was satisfied with the achievements of the company since January 2005 when it adopted a new corporate philosophy of utmost driving pleasure and safety for customers, he said the company had been facing severe financial crisis in the past years but has recovered. "Now it can produce cars and introduce new models continuously."

Winning Idea

Oman Gateway Portal wins the TKM-Ernst & Young Big Business Idea Competition

Woman power stole the show at the TKM-Ernst & Young Big Business Idea Competition (BBIC), with a young team comprising Zawan al Sabti, Majda al Hinai and Maha al Balushi winning the inaugural contest. Their project, Oman Gateway Portal, aims at answering all the questions a potential tourist will have on the sultanate and enabling increased interactivity between tourists and the tourism industry. It won the team RO6,000 in start-up funds and 12 months rent-free accommodation in The Knowledge Mine (TKM) incubator programme at Knowledge Oasis Muscat.

Majda, who is completing a course in computer engineering at the Caledonian College, said the different strengths each of the team members brought to the mix was a factor in their success. That confidence was obvious in the group's final presentation, a five-minute pitch to the judges, along with the other fina-lists – Oman Geomatics Company, Dallali, and AqarOman. It was supported by statistics from the Ministry of Tourism, as well as subsequent analysis that showed their target audience as middle-aged potential tourists with incomes above US$50,000 (approximately RO19,250). Explains Zawan, "We see our revenue coming from advertising space on the site, per transaction and annual fees as well as content updates."

Sultan al Habsi, CEO, Public Establishment for Industrial Estates, said they planned to host this event every year. Adds Abdullah al Jufaili, director, TKM, "The competition has got tremendous encouragement from government and business community." Ernst & Young, Ericsson, Nawras, NCR, ITA, National Bank of Oman, Infocomm, Talal Abu Ghazaleh and Business Today were the main supporters of the event. At the event, held under the patronage of H E Maqbool Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, there was also a presentation by Amrou al Shareef, regional manager, Seeb Systems, on his experiences as an entrepreneur. His advice to the finalists as well as entrepreneurs in general was simple. "You don't have to win a competition to be an entrepreneur. You do need to ask questions. And you have to see yourself as being able to make things work."

Omani products becoming first choice

The findings of a consumer perception study commissioned by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry were relayed to Omani company representatives and ministry staff at a press conference recently. Undersecretary H E Ahmed bin Hassan al Deeb attended the function. The extensive industry, trade and consumer study, which examined 38 Omani products in the market, aimed to rate the products using the success rating index (SRI), to identify parameters contributing to the success of the products and finally to recommend measures to improve products which were deemed to be underachieving.

Before revealing the results, Dharmaraj King, senior consultant of Advanced Business Consultants (ABC), outlined the detailed methodology of the study, which examined the qualitative and quantitative approaches to the research undertaken.

OFIC bags order for gas turbine filters

Oman Filters (OFIC) has bagged an order to supply gas turbine filters to three power plants under Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), India. The filters will be used by Kovilkalappal, Valathur and Kuttalam power plants under TNEB. Officials from TNEB visiting Oman appreciated the government’s efforts in setting up a modern factory to manufacture gas turbine filters. OFIC is the only factory in AGCC which makes air filter test rig as per AHRAE and ARAMCO standards. OFIC, the pioneers in manufacturing of filters for automotive and industrial applications, offers primary air filtration, pre-filtration and inlet air fogging mist eliminators. The company has the capability to manufacture all types of filtration systems and filter cartridges as well as coalescers for oil, gas and the power sectors.

Zubair, l&t cement ties

Zubair Corporation and Larsen and Toubro sign plot documentation for Oman's first modular fabrication facility

A relationship that has existed for more than a decade between the Zubair Corporation and Indian engineering and construction giant Larsen and Toubro moved into a new phase with the signing of the plot documentation for Oman's first modular fabrication facility (MFY). The project is the Indian company's only such venture in the Gulf and is expected to create between 800 to 1,000 jobs in its first phase. "We expect this figure to rise to 2,000 dedicated personnel in the project's second phase of operations," says A M Naik, chairman and managing director, Larsen and Toubro.

The MFY project, estimated at US$30mn, will be completed in two phases of US$15mn each with construction of the initial phase already underway at the industrial port in Sohar. Naik expressed his satisfaction over the long partnership with the Zubair Corporation. "As a measure of the progress we have achieved so far, the joint venture company was incorporated on July 5, 2006, and environmental clearance for construction received. We have also started training 30 Omani youths for multi-skills in metal-working trades." On completion, the facility will augment the country's industrial capabilities by manufacturing complex plants like integrated decks between 10,000 and 20,000 tonnes, jack-up rigs and floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSO). The proposed facility will be spread over nearly 100 hectares and will have an exclusive heavy load-out facility for shipping out large plant assemblies for the oil and gas and other industrial sectors. Jan Meijer, CEO, Sohar Industrial Port Company, said that the northern part of the port had been reserved for the project and that a specially strengthened key wall was being built to bear the load of heavy modules for loading out to seagoing vessels and barges.

The ceremony was attended by H E Maqbool Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry, H E Sheikh Mohammed al Harthy, Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, H E Juma bin Ali Juma, Minister of Manpower, H E Ashok Kumar Attri, Indian Ambassador, and H E Annelies Boogaerdt, Dutch Ambassador.

Fishing around

Stephen Lundin's Fish! philosophy stresses on a common sense approach to customer service and workplace morale

A national marketing director, presidential executive fellow, executive vice president of consulting, business school dean, best selling author and filmmaker – Stephen Lundin has worn a number of hats during his 65 years. The author of Fish! the international bestseller, which has sold over a million copies, was in Muscat for a seminar on the Fish! philosophy recently. “There is a lot of talk about work-life balance these days but I disagree with the concept, the challenge is to try and make your workplace more enjoyable and fulfilling," says Lundin. Having visited a number of organisations and workplaces, he was flummoxed that none of these places matched the energy and drive that he found at Camp Courage, a summer camp for children with severe physical challenges where he worked in his late teens and early 20s. This led him to “start searching for an image to help me understand what was possible at work.”

The answer came from the Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle – a place where a combination of fun, joy, energy, productivity and teamwork drives out stress, boredom, toxic energy and burnout. A film on the market shows employees throwing fishes, playing pranks on customers and selling fishes. The market led to the Fish! philosophy – a credo that helps organisations create a fun-filled atmosphere.

Lundin says embracing the philosophy leads to improved morale and productivity. He asks every member in the room to select a set of four Fishing Buddies. A series of exercises in which buddies talk to each other is used to take the group through the four basic principles of Fish!

Rule one: Play or use fun to lighten the workplace. This will lead to an innovative environment. Rule Two: Make Their Day. Our work days are full of opportunities for making our customers and our fellow team members feel special. Rule Three: Be There. Make an effort to be there 100 per cent for your clients and colleagues. Rule Four: Go Ahead and choose your attitude carefully.

Double impaCT

Shell Technology Oman (STO) and the Middle East Learning and Development Hub were inaugurated on November 4 by H E Nasser bin Khamis al Jashmi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Oil and Gas, as the latest initiatives to bring research close to application and also to encourage an exchange of ideas. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Malcolm Brinded, executive director, Exploration and Production, Royal Dutch Shell, stressed on the importance of new technologies, particularly developments in enhanced oil recovery (EOR). STO is part of Shell’s global research and development organisation focusing on EOR, a technology that involves changing the fluid properties of oil in reservoirs with steam, gas or chemicals to improve the ease of its flow, and consequently increase production. STO will work in conjunction with PDO to support the latter’s EOR programme. Added Brinded, “In Oman, with its geologically complex fields, the potential for EOR is immense.” He went on to inform that the initial core team of experts for STO was already in Oman and looking forward to expan-ding the research programme. It was also announced that Shell and Sultan Qaboos University would soon sign an agreement to build collaborative EOR research programmes at the university’s Oil and Gas Research Centre.

Meanwhile, the Learning and Development Hub, a regional Shell centre whose operations will run in close collaboration with PDO, will have programmes ranging from foundation level to advanced and specialised applications to do with EOR. Says John Malcolm, managing director, PDO, “Technology, by itself, is not enough. You need to have a focus on people. That is what the Middle East Learning and Development Hub is about. We hope that the diversity of participants and points of view will eventually lead to it becoming a regional centre of excellence.”


Toshiyuki Shiga, COO Nissan Motor Company visits Oman

Nissan Oman’s prominent position in the company’s General Overseas Market (GOM) operations has often resulted in the top officials from Nissan Motor Company visiting the sultanate. Toshiyuki Shiga, COO, Nissan was in Oman recently to oversee the progress made by the brand under Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, Nissan exclusive distributor in the sultanate.

Toshiyuki Shiga joined Nissan in 1976 right after his graduation from the faculty of economics at the prestigious OSAKA Prefecture University. Shiga supervises the company’s operations in Japan, GOM and China. He is also responsible for global marketing and sales, global after sales and conversion business, total customer satisfaction function (TCSX), human resources and treasury. Nissan’s impressive performance in GOM and the recent major developments are the prime reason for Shiga’s visit to the sultanate. The COO applauded Suhail Bahwan Automobiles emphasis on customer satisfaction and efforts to provide world-class after-sales services in Oman.

Coral al Nahda Resort and Spa opens

The resort, that combines both ancient traditions of Ayurveda and modern therapies, aims to offer lifestyle choices

After a long wait, Coral al Nahda Resort and Spa finally opened its doors to the public. The spa was inaugurated by H E Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, Minister of National Economy and Deputy Chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council. Her Excellency Dr Rajha bint Abdulameer bin Ali, Minister of Tourism, and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. After the official opening by Macki, the ministers, officials and other guests were taken on a tour of the resort and spa.

“This is the brainchild of Ajay Hamlai, (chairman and managing director, Al Bahja Group of Companies). It was a small seed that germinated in his mind and three years later it has grown and become a full-fledged spa. Since health tourism is the fastest growing sector, we thought it would be best to open a spa with such tremendous facilities and try and offer lifestyle choices to people,” says Julian Ayers, general manager, Coral al Nahda Resort and Spa.

Located at Barka, just an hour away from Muscat, this new five star deluxe health resort and spa, spread across a 30-acre garden, prov-ides a place of tranquillity and relaxation. The resort has 109 rooms set among clusters of mango and neem trees.

“The resort has been conceived to stimulate, revitalise and pamper both the body and mind in an ambience of unstinting luxury. It is a wellness resort that combines both ancient traditions of Ayurveda and modern skills, disciplines, rituals and therapies to help you learn ways to improve your lifestyle. It is not, however, a medical facility,” says Ayers.

The resort has facilities like aerobics, dance studio, sand volleyball courts, spa baths, steam tunnel, meditation centre and an amphitheatre. It also includes two camps: The Al Nahda Desert Camp, about 40 minutes from the resort which offers people an authentic desert experience, and the Al Nahda Hot Spring and Baths in Rustaq, where tourists can relax or enjoy massages or lunch in the restaurant.

BankMuscat signs agreement

BankMuscat selects new state-of-the-art core banking system

BankMuscat has signed an agreement with TEMENOS SA Headquarters to introduce a new state-of-the-art core banking system, based on TEMENOS T24™, the world’s leading integrated banking system. The core banking system refers to the application suite that mana-ges a bank’s entire banking operations and facilitates the business lines to provide fast and effective banking services. The major components of new core banking system are retail banking, corporate banking, finance, oper-ations, branch automation and administration. The new core banking system would also assist in far more efficient and accurate transaction processing and record keeping along with efficient information retrieval and reporting.

BankMuscat had engaged the services of global technology consultancy firm, Gartner Consulting, in its search for a new core banking system and has gone through a rigorous five-month evaluation and selection process to finalise its new core banking system.

Says AbdulRazak Ali Issa, BankMuscat chief executive, “BankMuscat has always striven to invest in state-of-the-art technology in its attempts to provide customers with cutting edge and wherever possible, technology enabled products, services and solutions. Our decision to adopt a new core banking system is a significant step in the same direction, as we are firmly of the belief that world-class technology infrastructure is integral to building customer confidence.” TEMENOS T24 is a modern and flexible system that works in a single, on-line, real-time environment. It prov-ides for a high level of integration in the system that has an inherent design emphasis on straight through processing (STP) and parameterised flexibility. TEMENOS T24 supports XML by default and can be connected to standard industry middleware solutions.