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MUSCAT AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL TOWN HALL
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E
Muscat American Business
Council Town Hall
Meeting
2
MABC Calendar April to
June 2012
3
Franchising Panel
Discussion
4
Successful Omani Trade
Delegation to Arab Health
2012 Expo
5
Ambassador Visits Oxy’s
Mukhaizna Field
6
Discussion on Commercial
Law Development in
Oman
7
Ambassador Tours
Bechtel’s Muscat Airport
Work-in-Progress
7
CLDP Organizes Moot
Court Competition
8
Programs at National
Museum of African Art
9
Roundtable with Deputy
Assistant Secretary Clune
10
Upcoming Events 11
U.S.-Oman Trade Bulletin
J A N / F E B / M A R 2 0 1 2 w w w . o m a n . u s e m b a s s y . g o v
Contact Our Office:
Ida Mathew
Phone: 2464 3400
Fax: 2469 6928
Email:
Website:
www.export.gov/oman
The Muscat American Business Council (MABC) hosted a town hall meeting to kick off
the 2012 MABC year of events on February 13, 2012, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The
event included remarks by Ambassador Richard J Schmierer, Economic and Commercial
Officer Emily Shaffer, MABC President Ali Daud, and MABC Executive Secretary
Emmee Haun. The objective of the meeting was to gather U.S. businesses, networking,
discussing priorities and strategic directions for the organization, presenting MABC and
U.S. Embassy contributions and ideas, and start planning the calendar of activities for
2012. New members of the board were announced, including Ali Daud (Al Daud Group),
Omar Suhail Bahwan (BEC), Manal Al Abdwani (Atyab Investments), William Crew
(Inspired), Anthony Watson (AMJ), Sarah Jackson (AMIDEAST), Joe Collins (Bechtel)
and Carol Moss (QHCI). More information regarding MABC can be obtained at http://
mabcoman.com/.
Left to right, Muscat American Business Council President Ali K. Daud , U.S.
Ambassador Richard J. Schmierer, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission W. Johann
Schmonsees, U.S. Embassy Political and Economic Section Chief John Clarkson, and
visiting Director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art,
Dr. Johnetta Cole, at the MABC town hall meeting.
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U . S . - O M A N T R A D E B U L L E T I N
MUSCAT AMERICAN BUSINESS COUNCIL TOWN HALL MEETING
Ambassador Schmierer
welcomes guests
U.S. Embassy Commercial Officer
Emily Shaffer presents updates on the
U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement
MABC President Ali Daud addresses the
gathering
MABC Executive Secretary Emmee Haun pre-
sents an overview of the MABC and proposed
upcoming events
3
U . S . - O M A N T R A D E B U L L E T I N
MABC CALENDAR APRIL TO JUNE 2012
Date Event Venue
2 April 10:00 a.m. Board and Premium Members Quarterly Coffee with Ambassador
Ambassador’s Resi-dence
2-3 April U.S. Chamber of Commerce MENA Tourism Development Conference Washington, DC
2-3 April Cyber Defense Summit Hyatt Hotel
10 April Closed Meeting with Director General of Commerce and International Organizations on Business Registration
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
15-18 April Oman Affordable Housing Development Summit Hyatt Hotel
16-18 April Oil and Gas Expo Oman International Exhibition Center
17 April Oman Forum "Building the National Talent Pool" Al Bustan Hotel
17-18 April Specialty Equipment Market Association Automotive Show Dubai, UAE
22-23 April Oman Economic Forum Al Bustan Hotel
28-30 April Small and Medium Enterprises Intellectual Property Workshop
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
28-30 April Arabian Hotel Investment Conference Dubai, UAE
30 April-3 May Offshore Technology Conference Oil and Gas Show Houston, TX
30 April-2 May Waste Expo Las Vegas, NV
1-3 May Ministry of Health Vision 2050 Conference Al Bustan Hotel
6 May 9:00 a.m. Franchise Panel Sultan Qaboos University
6-9 May Oman Power and Water Forum Hyatt Hotel
8 May 7:00 p.m. Digital Video Conference with U.S. Companies on Water Treatment Opportunities
U.S. Embassy Sultana Hall
8-10 May Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association Wireless Show New Orleans, LA
15-17 May Gulf Eco 2012: Climate Change Expo Oman International Exhibition Center
18-20 May Visit of Commercial Law Development Director, U.S. Department of Commerce U.S. Embassy
20-May 10:00 a.m. Roundtable on Tendering Process U.S. Embassy Sultana Hall
4-6 June Hospital Building and Infrastructure Middle East Dubai International Expo Center
10-14 June American Water Works Association Show Dallas, TX
15-17 June International Franchise Show New York,NY
15-19 June InfoComm Audiovisual Show Las Vegas, NV
19 June Roundtable on Financing with Bankers Association Oman U.S. Embassy
4
U . S . - O M A N T R A D E B U L L E T I N
5
SUCCESSFUL OMANI TRADE DELEGATION TO ARAB HEALTH 2012 EXPO
U . S . - O M A N T R A D E B U L L E T I N
U.S. Embassy Commercial Assistant Ida Mathew
led a trade delegation to Arab Health 2012, a U.S.
Department of Commerce-certified trade
exhibition held from January 23 to 26 in Dubai.
The largest health care exhibition in the Middle
East and the second largest in the world, Arab
Health 2012 showcased excellent U.S. products
and services from the medical and pharmaceutical
industry. Over 70,000 professionals from 145
countries attended, and 3000 exhibitors from 60
countries showcased their products and
services. This year’s U.S. Pavilion (Kallman-
certified) had close to 150 exhibitors.
The Omani delegation included twelve health care
businesses and hospitals. The Commercial
Assistant met with and counseled nearly forty
new-to-market U.S. companies as well as some
existing companies, highlighting potential
opportunities in Oman and providing matchmaking
services. The Omani delegates were provided with
comprehensive logistical assistance including hotel
reservations, registration, badge collection,
preparation of a professional brochure providing
background on Oman’s health sector and outlining
each company’s profile and objectives, and
invitations to a high-level networking reception.
U.S. participants remarked that the brochure was
useful as it helped them make the appropriate
contacts with Omani delegates. The delegates were
provided with a list of participating U.S.
companies, which enabled them to learn about the
companies and to prepare a list of targeted contacts
they were interested in meeting.
Arab Health 2013 will be held from January 28 to
31, 2013, in Dubai.
U.S. Ambassador to UAE Michael Corbin and
Acting Minister of Health H.E. Abdul Rahman
Al Owais participate in the ribbon-cutting
ceremony of the U.S. Pavilion.
The U.S. Pavilion at Arab Health 2012
6
U . S . - O M A N T R A D E B U L L E T I N
AMBASSADOR VISITS OXY’S MUKHAIZNA FIELDS
Ambassador Schmierer, flanked by Oxy’s Kris Raghavan and U.S. Embassy Political and Economic
Section Chief John Clarkson (both far right), toured Mukhaizna field along with Oxy managers and
Embassy Economic and Commercial Officer Emily Shaffer
Ambassador Richard J. Schmierer toured Occidental’s Mukhaizna oilfield in January. Occidental
Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: OXY), based in Los Angeles, California, represents the largest
U.S. investment in Oman. Occidental operates four oil and gas concessions in Oman, including
the giant Mukhaizna field in central Oman and the Safah field in the north. Occidental (known as
Oxy) produces approximately 25 percent of Oman’s crude oil for export, as well as approximately
100 million cubic feet of natural gas per day for sale to the government of Oman.
Ambassador Schmierer witnessed how Oxy continuously treats and circulates 500,000 bpd of wa-
ter to produce steam necessary to heat and extract the heavy, viscous oil found in the region. Oxy
recycles most of this water, and produces about half of its own power needs using steam genera-
tors. The Ambassador and visiting Embassy team were shown the various components of the oil
production processes, including water treatment plants, steam generators, steam injection wells, oil
producing wells, and production plants used to extract the oil before sending it to Muscat via pipe-
line for export. Ambassador Schmierer expressed admiration for Oxy’s talented and engaged local
managers who demonstrated passion for their work while explaining operations to the visitors.
7
U . S . - O M A N T R A D E B U L L E T I N
Tom Jersild, Senior Counsel of the Meyer Brown firm, discussed potential updates to Oman’s
bankruptcy and capital markets laws with Omani corporate law firms as a part of the U.S. Commerce
Department’s Commercial Law Development Program
DISCUSSION ON COMMERCIAL LAW DEVELOPMENT IN OMAN
AMBASSADOR TOURS BECHTEL’S MUSCAT AIRPORT WORK-IN-
PROGRESS
Ambassador Schmierer and Embassy Political and
Economic Chief John Clarkson are briefed by
Bechtel’s Project Manager Joe Collins
Embassy Political and Labor Officer Christine
Harper (left) and Economic and Commercial
Officer Emily Shaffer (right) joined the tour
8
U . S . - O M A N T R A D E B U L L E T I N
COMMERCIAL LAW DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ORGANIZES THE
MOOT COURT COMPETITION
Ambassador and Mrs. Schmierer attended the
final awards ceremony on March 1 for the sec-
ond Annual Middle East International Commer-
cial Arbitration moot court competition, spon-
sored by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
During the competition, law students from
around the region were coached by a team from
the University of Pittsburgh School of Law’s
Center for Legal Education, led by the director,
Professor Ronald Brand.
Ambassador Richard J. Schmierer congratulates
participants from Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Oman,
Qatar, Tunisia, and UAE, noting they will be the
future leaders able to shepherd the increasing
commercial interaction between the Middle East
and the rest of the world
Sultan Qaboos University’s College of Law won
the award for Best Memorandum on behalf of
the Claimant. The team was coached by Dr.
Amal K. Abdallah, Professor of Commercial
Law, and supported by Dr. Rashid Al-Baloushi,
Assistant Dean
Many local law firms, including SASLO and Al Bu-
saidy, Mansoor Jamal & Co., as well as institutions
such as the Ministry of Legal Affairs, sent
volunteers to serve as judges in the competition
9
U . S . - O M A N T R A D E B U L L E T I N
Connecting Gems of the Indian Ocean: From Oman to East Africa
Programs at the National Museum of African Art
The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) celebrates the power and beauty of
the diverse and dynamic arts of Africa and the African diaspora. We have recently begun to show-
case the arts and culture of Oman and the country’s connections to East Africa. In partnership
with the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center in Washington, DC, NMAfA was honored to host Al Na-
joom, a traditional Omani dance group, in July of 2011. The Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center then
extended an invitation to Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Director of the Museum, and Ms. Nicole
Shivers, Education Specialist, to visit Oman. During their travel this past February, Dr. Cole and
Ms. Shivers met with artistic and cultural leaders of Oman, deepening both their appreciation of
Omani culture and its connection with East Africa.
Under the title Connecting Gems of the Indian Ocean: From Oman to East Africa, the National
Museum of African Art now plans to embark on a multi-faceted array of programming that will
highlight the cultural arts of Oman and its connections to East and North Africa. We hope to pre-
sent traditional dance and music from Oman, commissioned performances based on the historical
and contemporary links between Oman and East Africa, collaborative programming with the Sun-
dance Theater Institute’s East Africa Program, and a lecture series including talks by Omani artist
Madny Al Bakry. In addition, our educators will offer art workshops for museum visitors, such as
calligraphy and majmar painting, and will provide training for local teachers to take back to their
classroom. We are also interested in sending educators for a six-week exchange to Bait Al Zubair
Museum, Bait Al Baranda Museum, Sultan Qaboos University, and the National Museum of
Oman to collaborate on education program development.
In order to achieve this ambitious programming, we invite businesses and cultural organizations in
Oman and the United States to develop philanthropic partnerships with the Smithsonian National
Museum of African Art. If you are interested in exploring the possibility of such a partnership,
please contact Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Director of the Museum, by emailing [email protected] ,
calling (202) 633-4610, or mailing to: National Museum of African Art, MRC 708 P.O. Box
37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012.
10
U . S . - O M A N T R A D E B U L L E T I N
ROUNDTABLE WITH DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY CLUNE
U.S. Embassy Muscat and the Muscat American Business Council organized a roundtable discussion
with Dan Clune, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Oceans,
International Environment and Scientific Affairs (OES). Mr. Clune discussed the role of the U.S. –
Oman Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation for business leaders, economic
engagement, and the role the Department of State is taking to increase economic connections around
the world. He also discussed the value of green production technologies and how the United States can
help provide them. During the event, the Economic and Commercial Officer Emily Shaffer launched
the Country Commercial Guide 2012 for U.S. companies interested in doing business in Oman.
From left, Program Administrator Abby Lindsay, Deputy Assistant Secretary Dan Clune, U.S. Embassy
Deputy Chief of Mission W. Johann Schmonsees, U.S. Embassy Political Officer Damon Goforth
U.S. Embassy Economic and Commercial Officer Emily Shaffer launches the Country Commercial
Guide 2012 for Oman (left). MABC members at the roundtable discussion (right)
11
The World’s Water Event
June 10 to 14, 2012, in Dallas, TX
U . S . - O M A N T R A D E B U L L E T I N
UPCOMING EVENTS
APCO Global Congress 2012
Public Safety Communications
Location: Dubai
Date: May 1-3, 2012
http://www.apcointl.org/
——————————————
The Hotel Show
Products: Hospitality
Furnishings, Services &
Design
Location: Dubai
Date: May 15-17, 2012
www.thehotelshow.com
——————————————
Automechanika Middle East
Products: Automotive
Location: Dubai
Date: June 3-6, 2012
www.automechanikame.com/
——————————————
Beauty World Middle East
Products: Cosmetics
Location: Dubai
Date: May 29-31, 2012
www.beautyworldme.com
——————————————
HBA Global Expo
Products: Cosmetics and
Personal Care Products
Location: New York City, NY
Date: June 19-21, 2012
www.hbaexpo.com
Electric Power 2012 to be held in Baltimore, MD
May 15 to 17, 2012
AWWA ACE (American Water Works Association Annual Conference
and Exposition) is the premier event for the water industry. The conference
program and exhibitor participants cover the complete spectrum of
drinking-water planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance
solutions. As the premier industry event for the drinking-water community,
ACE is the showcase for exhibitors’ latest tools and technologies for water
utilities. For more information about the show, visit: www.awwa.org . The
Embassy can facilitate special offers such as free market research, Arabic
translation, and up to $1000 in matchmaking expenses.
Electric Power 2012 is focused on the needs of the power generation
industry with a special emphasis on power plant owners, operators and
project developers throughout the world. The trade show is complemented
by the industry's most comprehensive conference that features more than
500 speakers and panelists. The conference covers both business and
technology issues and is programmed by a committee of approximately
150 industry experts. All commercially viable technologies and fuels
(fossil, nuclear and renewable) are covered in depth. More info at:
www.electricpowerexpo.com .