Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07MUSCAT694
2007-07-16 07:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Muscat
Cable title:
NEW BOARD FOR OMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
how-toVZCZCXRO3303 RR RUEHDE DE RUEHMS #0694 1970729 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 160729Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY MUSCAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8496 INFO RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 0342 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000694
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV MU
SUBJECT: NEW BOARD FOR OMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
REF: MUSCAT 492
UNCLAS MUSCAT 000694
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV MU
SUBJECT: NEW BOARD FOR OMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
REF: MUSCAT 492
1. On May 15, 2007, roughly 20,000 members of Oman's Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) cast ballots for the
organization's new Board of Directors (reftel). Eight of the
fifteen elected positions were reserved for representatives
from the Batinah, Buraimi, Dahirah, Dakhiliyah, Sharqiyah,
Wusta, Dhofar, and Musandam regions, with the remaining seven
seats allocated to greater Muscat. According to applicable
regulations, Board members should be active participants in
the business field for a minimum of five years prior to
elections, Omani citizens, and not employed by the government.
2. On July 2, Sultan Qaboos issued royal decrees appointing
the final seven members of the OCCI Board, including the new
Board chairman, Muscat businessman Khalil bin Abdullah
al-Khunji. Al-Khunji is from a prominent Shi'a family and
CEO of the Al Khunji Group of Companies. A member of the
Muscat Municipality Council, al-Khunji also serves on the
Board of Directors of the Omani Center for Investment
Promotion and Export Development (OCIPED) and is the Honorary
Consul for the Republic of Belarus. Al-Khunji replaces
previous chairman Salim bin Sa'id al-Ghattami, who was chosen
by the Sultan to serve in the Majlis al-Dawla (the upper
house of Oman's bicameral advisory body). Two women were
among the seven appointees; the two women serving on the
previous Board were not re-appointed.
3. The new OCCI Board met for the first time on July 9 to
discuss a new "ten-pillar" program to capitalize on foreign
trade agreements, improve Oman's business and work
environment, and enhance cooperation between OCCI,
governmental authorities, and the general business community.
Al-Khunji commented to press that the new program would also
focus on developing small and medium-sized businesses and
encouraging self-employment in Oman. Additionally, the Board
elected Jamil bin Ali Sultan - brother of Oman's Minister of
Commerce & Industry - to his third consecutive term as deputy
chairman of OCCI. The previous day (July 8),al-Khunji met
with the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council
Chambers Union, Abdulraheem Hassan Naqi, to discuss the
possibility of hosting a Gulf Investment Conference in Oman
to promote opportunities, incentives and facilities for
investors in the region.
GRAPPO
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV MU
SUBJECT: NEW BOARD FOR OMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
REF: MUSCAT 492
1. On May 15, 2007, roughly 20,000 members of Oman's Chamber
of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) cast ballots for the
organization's new Board of Directors (reftel). Eight of the
fifteen elected positions were reserved for representatives
from the Batinah, Buraimi, Dahirah, Dakhiliyah, Sharqiyah,
Wusta, Dhofar, and Musandam regions, with the remaining seven
seats allocated to greater Muscat. According to applicable
regulations, Board members should be active participants in
the business field for a minimum of five years prior to
elections, Omani citizens, and not employed by the government.
2. On July 2, Sultan Qaboos issued royal decrees appointing
the final seven members of the OCCI Board, including the new
Board chairman, Muscat businessman Khalil bin Abdullah
al-Khunji. Al-Khunji is from a prominent Shi'a family and
CEO of the Al Khunji Group of Companies. A member of the
Muscat Municipality Council, al-Khunji also serves on the
Board of Directors of the Omani Center for Investment
Promotion and Export Development (OCIPED) and is the Honorary
Consul for the Republic of Belarus. Al-Khunji replaces
previous chairman Salim bin Sa'id al-Ghattami, who was chosen
by the Sultan to serve in the Majlis al-Dawla (the upper
house of Oman's bicameral advisory body). Two women were
among the seven appointees; the two women serving on the
previous Board were not re-appointed.
3. The new OCCI Board met for the first time on July 9 to
discuss a new "ten-pillar" program to capitalize on foreign
trade agreements, improve Oman's business and work
environment, and enhance cooperation between OCCI,
governmental authorities, and the general business community.
Al-Khunji commented to press that the new program would also
focus on developing small and medium-sized businesses and
encouraging self-employment in Oman. Additionally, the Board
elected Jamil bin Ali Sultan - brother of Oman's Minister of
Commerce & Industry - to his third consecutive term as deputy
chairman of OCCI. The previous day (July 8),al-Khunji met
with the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council
Chambers Union, Abdulraheem Hassan Naqi, to discuss the
possibility of hosting a Gulf Investment Conference in Oman
to promote opportunities, incentives and facilities for
investors in the region.
GRAPPO