Inaugural ABGO Connect workshop held for Omani, Australian SMEs

The Australian Business Group Oman (ABGO) hosted on Sunday the inaugural ABGO Connect workshop with over 75 Omani and Australian SMEs, Omani Alumni and ABGO members.

The panel included Mustafa Salman (Australian Honorary Consul), Mac Thomson (Chair, ABGO), William Crew (CEO, Inspired Solutions) and Mubaraka Tyebbhoy (Honorary Secretary, ABGO).

Mustafa Salman welcomed the audience with inspiring words designed to spark interest in the Omani alumni. He noted that “these alumni and their businesses are the future of the Oman economy and ABGO is a great vehicle to drive this emerging force.”

Mac Thomson in his address expressed that the “Sultanate of Oman is a wonderful gateway into the GCC, and there is a growing need for Australian and Omani businesses to connect at the commercial level.”

The workshop provided an opportunity for Omani alumni to be part of an accelerator led by William Crew, who stressed on the importance of networking and noted that “we can look at ABGO Connect as giving individuals within the network a competitive advantage – a recipe for success”.

ABGO also announced a notable success story as a result of ABGO Connect breaking news. Dr Andrew Forrest, Chairman of Fortescue Future Industries (FFI), alongside a senior delegation from the company, visited Muscat on March 12, 13.

FFI held high-level meetings with senior government officials that paved the way for the next steps. FFI is working closely with the Oman government to develop a Green Hydrogen Project that will employ thousands of Omanis for generations to come.

Dr Forrest mentioned that the level of investment would be significant and the future of green energy and green hydrogen in Oman is bright.

This workshop is the first of many in the ABGO Connect series and will continue to provide a platform for young Omanis to find their voice, passion and develop strong commercial ties between Australia and the Sultanate of Oman.

ABGO Connect is the flagship programme that introduces Omani alumni and corporate members to the many commercial opportunities with Australian businesses interested in expanding and investing in the Sultanate of Oman.