B6
S U N DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 0, 2 0 1 5
ROUND-UP Dossier Awards 2015 draws industry leaders Top performers from different segments of construction industry in Oman including contractors; construction materials manufacturers and consultants were felicitated at the awards ceremony MUSCAT: Dossier Construction Awards & Summit 2015 held in Muscat recently turned out to be a big hit drawing key players of construction and contracting sector, leading consultants, project owners and key policy makers in Oman. Top performers from different segments of construction industry in Oman including contractors; construction materials manufacturers and consultants were felicitated at the awards ceremony. At the summit, key policy makers from Oman government, construction industry magnates in the Sultanate, and top international consultants shared insightful information on business opportunities in key projects like Oman Rail, Duqm Special Economic Zone, and Power and Tourism sectors, says a press release. Held under the patronage of Ministry of Transport and Communications and Public Authority for Electricity and Water and endorsed by Muscat Municipality, Omran, Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority and Oman Rail the event attracted more than 500 experts including contractors, policy makers from the government, consultants, architects, interior designers, turnkey contractors, project owners, project ďŹ nance professionals, and allied sector professionals mainly from the construction material industry. Those who attended the function included Yahya bin Said Al Jabri, chairman, Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm who was the chief guest at the awards ceremony. Sheikh Salim bin Mustahail Al Mashani presented a token of appreciation to the chief guest. The summit was held in the ďŹ rst half of the day and the award function was held in the evening.
Panel discussion The summit began with a key note address by Glenn Platt, managing director-Infrastructure, KEO International Consultants on the topic ‘GCC Construction Market.’ This was followed by a presentation by Ala Hassan Moosa, senior manager Projects Delivery of Muscat Electricity Distribution Company. A panel discussion on the topic featuring Eng. Hamad bin Salim Al Magdheri, CEO of Rural Area Electricity Company, Praveer Chakravorty, CEO of Bahwan Engineering Company and Gert Hoefman, CEO of Oman Cables Industry followed the presentation. The second presentation ‘Updates on OCEC’ was made by Ahmed Elhassan, senior director, Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre Project of Omran. The panel discussion succeeding the presentation featured Eng. Salim Al Thuhli, director Leisure Development, Bunyan-Oman Project Management & Development Company, Omran; Marco Malpiedi, MD of Atkins Oman and Ali Hassan Moosa, CIO of Oman Arab Bank. Nathan Wiles, general manager of projects, Oman Rail Company made the third presentation on ‘Oman Rail Project-Business Prospects for Omani Companies’. Apart from Nathan, Fabrizia Benedetti Valentini, Oman country manager 3TI Progetti and Nicholas Stuart, regional director-Rail and Transit, KEO International Consultants participated in the panel discussion held subsequent to the presentation. The ďŹ nal presentation was made by Anwar Kahlan Al Battashi, manager-Urban Planning, Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority on ‘Duqm Underlying Business Opportunities’. The panel discussion which followed the
presentation was participated by Reggy Vermeulen CEO, Port of Duqm Company and Ayman Saidi, country manager and director of Infrastructure-Oman, KEO International Consultants. Felicitations The winners of Dossier Construction Awards 2014 were felicitated in the gala award evening. Al Jabri and Sandeep Sehgal, CE of UMS presented awards to the winners. Doka was the platinum sponsor and Mercedes-Benz was the gold sponsor of the event. The event was organised in association with leading consultants Atkins, Renardet and KEO. Advantage Austria was the supporting organisation. Larsen & Toubro, Sharq Sohar Group, Athaiba Furniture Factory, Oman Cables Industry, BEC Group, Voltamp Energy SAOG, Carrier, NBO, Taylor Woodrow Oman, Hasan Juma Backer Trading & Contracting, URICH Switchgear, Marine Technology Company LLC, BASF and Al Tamman Real Estate were the silver sponsors. Said Salem Al Wahaibi Group of Companies was the strategic sponsor. Falcon Insurance Company, Al Hassan Group, Shamel International, Hyundai ElevatorsTechnoelevators were the support sponsors. Times of Oman and Al Shabiba were the media partners and RMP was the printing partner. KPMG was the validating partner. The event was powered by NAMA Group and Target was the Lanyard partner. Dossier Construction Awards & Summit is instituted by Dossier magazine, published by United Media Services. Launched in 2007, Dossier is Oman’s ďŹ rst Businessto-Business (B2B) publication on construction, infrastructure and real estate sectors. Dossier is the prime reference base and source of information for stakeholders of the industry and it is considered as an important channel to communicate the opportunities and challenges faced by the sector. Award Winners Best Construction Safety Initiative: Larsen & Toubro Oman Best MEP Contractor: Bahwan Engineering Company Best Contractor for Infrastructure Project: L & T, Oman
Best EPC Contractor: Consortium of Tatva Environment Services and Hasan Juma Backer Trading & Contracting Best Construction Contractor: Towell Construction & Co Best Interior Design: Studio 7 Best Architect: GUtech Ecohaus Team Best Project Design: Joint winners are Atkins and GUtech Ecohaus Team Best Engineer: Bushra Anwar, KEO International Consultants Best Engineering Consultant: KEO International Consultants Best Sustainable Project: Ras Al Hamra International School of PDO Best Commercial Project: Barka Grand Centre by Al Tamman Real Estate Best Residential Project: Ras Al Hamra Development Project of PDO Best Project Developer: Al Mouj Muscat Lifetime Achievement Award: Lieutenant Colonel Said Salem Al Wahaibi, Chairman, Assarain Group of Companies Special Award – Excellence in Manufacturing - Power Transformers: Voltamp Power Special Award - Excellence in Manufacturing - Steel: Sharq Sohar Steel Rolling Mills Special Award – Innovation in Green Products - GFRG: Shamel International Special Award – Most Innovative Concrete Quality Assurance System: Doka Special Award –Innovative Solutions for Car Parking: Intelligent Parking and Elevator Co. Special Award - Excellence in Marine Construction: Marine Technology Special Award for Innovative Construction Solutions: Taylor Woodrow Oman Special Award for Excellence in Project Finance: National Bank of Oman The members of panel of judges for awards; Eng Mohammed bin Salim Al Busaidi, member of Shura Council and chairman of Oman Real Estate Association, Ali Hassan Moosa, CIO Oman Arab Bank, Abhijeet Dutta, senior architect, Atkins and Akshay Bhatnagar, group managing editor of UMS were handed over certiďŹ cates.
U P G R A D I N G S TA F F S K I L L S
NBO organises Islamic banking training sessions MUSCAT: National Bank of Oman (NBO) announced that it recently conducted a series of internal training programmes covering a range of areas within Islamic Banking. Aimed at developing and upgrading the skill sets of employees as well as promoting Sharia’a compliant banking in Oman, the training modules prepared employees to take up critical job roles within the bank’s Muzn Islamic Banking division, says a press release. A group of 17 employees from ďŹ nance, audit and risk departments successfully completed a training programme titled, ‘Accounting and Auditing Organization of Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI).’ The workshop covered fundamental principles of Islamic Banking, including the regulatory and Sharia’a standards, a general overview of Islamic Banking structure, and modules on products and services offered by Muzn. The bank’s training arm, Academy of Excellence, also conducted four workshops on Muzn Islamic Banking for 30 call centre agents. Aimed at enhancing the product knowledge and equipping them to handle complaints and enquires more efficiently, the Muzn Islamic Banking Refresher course was successfully completed by 30 employees.
Commenting on the training programmes, Ahmed Al Musalmi, chief executive officer of National Bank of Oman, said: “At National Bank of Oman, we continuously look to develop the skills and expertise of our employees. We have launched a series of programmes covering all divisions within the bank, Muzn Islamic Banking in particular, which are being rolled out across all areas of operation. “Our primary objective is to develop our talent to the highest level, whilst offering superior customer experience.â€? Established in 2013 by National Bank of Oman, Muzn was the Sultanate’s ďŹ rst Islamic Banking window. Since then, the concept has gained signiďŹ cant momentum among customers and the bank now operates a network of branches in key locations, in addition to its strong digital and mobile presence. Islamic Banking customers can avail a full range of offerings from Muzn including: Murabaha Auto Finance; Ijara Home Finance; Sale and Lease Back Finance; Muzn Current Account (Qard Hassan); Muzn Savings Account (Mudaraba); Wakala Investment; Flexi Wakala Account; Murabaha Working Capital Finance; Ijara Muntahia Bittamleek Term Finance and Trade Finance.
E D UC AT I O N
ISB, Bahwan CyberTek to offer management programme MUSCAT: Indian School of Business and Bahwan CyberTek now jointly offer a career accelerating management programme for business executives in Oman. The programme starts on October 4. The Indian School of Business (ISB), a premier global business school and one of the largest executive education providers in Asia, and Bahwan Cybertek, an associate of the Suhail Bahwan Group, one of Oman’s foremost business houses
have joined hands to offer a ‘CertiďŹ cate Programme in General Management for Business Executives’ in Oman, says a press release. The rapidly changing business scenario in the region offers diverse opportunities but at the same time, brings with it several complexities. Against this backdrop it is a must for business executives, especially those who are aspiring to move into leadership roles to keep themselves abreast
of the latest business practices and the right skill sets to manage effectively and thrive in an increasingly global competitive business environment. This certiďŹ cate programme is speciďŹ cally tailored for tomorrow’s leaders and will help them become better leaders and business decision-makers. Ideal candidates Ideal candidates for this programme are executives with expe-
rience who aspire to reach the next level of leadership by enhancing their general management competencies. Participants will have a holistic understanding of these competencies that will help them to enhance their personal effectiveness lead and motivate teams for greater performance and take strategic business decisions. The certiďŹ cate programme will be delivered by senior faculty who regularly teach Executive Educa-
tion participants in ISB and other leading business schools. The methodology will be a mix of case studies, workshops, classroom learning and group activities covering the following areas: ÄŠĹ— ,-)( &Ĺ—& ,-"#*Ĺ— 2 && ( ÄŠĹ— ., . !# Ĺ— ."#(%#(!Ĺ— ( Ĺ— 2 /tion excellence ÄŠĹ— !).# .#)(Ä…Ĺ— #(Ăł/ ( #(!Ĺ— ( Ĺ— managing stakeholders ÄŠĹ— ĂŽ .#0 Ĺ— /-#( --Ĺ— )''/(# tion
ÄŠĹ— ,% .#(!Ĺ— 2 && ( Ĺ— ),Ĺ—*,)Ă°.able growth ÄŠĹ— #( ( Ĺ— ),Ĺ— ()(Ěð( ( Ĺ— 2 /tives This six-month programme is designed as a blend of online and on campus format. This format ensures that working professionals can continue their learning without disruption in their work schedules. Successful candidates will receive the certiďŹ cation from the ISB, Centre for Executive Education.