AmCham Oman News

The AmCham Oman Technology & AI Committee had the privilege of meeting with H.E. Dr. Ali Al Shidhani, PhD and the leadership team at MTCIT for an important alignment discussion around Oman’s digital economy priorities and the future direction of the Committee.

The discussion reinforced two major areas of focus moving forward:
* Technology workforce readiness and employment opportunities for Omanis
* Increasing international exposure for Omani startups, SMEs, and emerging talent

Grateful for the Ministry’s guidance, openness, and encouragement as we continue building a committee focused on alignment, action, and impact.

Special thanks to our Committee Chair Sheikh Saif AlHosni (Microsoft Oman & Bahrain) and Co-Chair Amr Nabil (Dell Technologies) for their leadership and commitment to the ecosystem.

The session brought together business leaders, legal professionals, and risk specialists to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of AI regulation, personal data protection, cybersecurity risk, and cyber insurance across the GCC.

Key discussions included:
✔ Oman’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and regional regulatory developments
✔ Cross-border data transfers and data controller accountability
✔ Cybersecurity vulnerabilities and operational risk exposure
✔ The growing role of cyber insurance and incident response planning
✔ Practical steps organizations should take to strengthen compliance and resilience

Key takeaways included:
• Get acquainted with the PDPL and implementing regulations
• Formally appoint a Data Protection Officer
• Undertake a data audit
• Conduct a cybersecurity and systems audit
• Consider obtaining cyber insurance

AmCham Oman officially launched its Technology & AI Committee, chaired by Sheikh Saif Al Hosni, General Manager of Microsoft Oman & Bahrain, and co-chaired by Amr Nabil of Dell Technologies, bringing together government and industry leaders to support innovation, collaboration, and the future of Oman’s digital economy.

We hosted one last outdoor networking event before the summer at Ghala Golf Club at the end of April. It was wonderful to see so many members, partners, and friends of the AmCham Oman community connecting, catching up, and building new relationships in such a great atmosphere.

A special thank you to everyone who helped make the evening possible:

Ghala Golf Club

Casa Abate

House of Music

Radisson Blu

RA Logistics

Al Khalili Group – Buildex

This session delivered practical, actionable insights for SMEs looking to strengthen their operations and reduce compliance risk.

Participants walked away with 5 key actions they can start implementing immediately:
1. Audit your current compliance status
2. Fix your contracts immediately
3. Separate business and personal finances
4. Implement a compliance calendar
5. Invest in professional financial management
AmCham Oman members will also receive a copy of the presentation.

A big thank you to DHL Express Oman for sponsoring the SME Forum and to Sachin Sharma and the C&I-Middle East team for sharing their expertise and practical guidance with our SME community.

The AmCham Oman Tourism Committee met with Mr. Haitham Al Ghassani, Director General of Tourism Promotion, at the Ministry of Heritage & Tourism to align priorities, strengthen collaboration, and identify practical opportunities to support the growth of the sector.

The conversation reinforced a clear direction: meaningful, data-driven collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to unlocking Oman’s full tourism potential.

AmCham Oman is proud to serve as a bridge between our members and the Ministry—ensuring the private sector has a voice in shaping the future of tourism in Oman.

We held our first SME Committee meeting as part of The SME Forum Powered by DHL.

The discussion focused on shaping upcoming SME events, identifying real challenges faced by businesses in today’s market, and, most importantly, how we can support one another through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and practical solutions.

With important IRS updates and changes under the new administration, AmCham Oman hosted a timely and insightful webinar for U.S. expats across the region.

Thank you to Thomas Carden from American International Tax Advisers for sharing practical guidance on filing requirements, compliance, and smart tax strategies.

The 2026 Tourism Committee has officially launched, bringing together a group of industry professionals committed to supporting the growth and development of Oman’s tourism sector.

Hosted at the Sheraton Oman Hotel, the inaugural meeting marked the beginning of a collaborative platform focused on alignment, engagement, and forward planning.

The committee will work closely with key stakeholders to support initiatives that strengthen Oman’s tourism offering.

At our recent panel discussion, “Building a Cross-Generational Workforce,” we heard directly from three generations in the workplace.

Between the perspectives shared by our panelists and the views from the audience, the message was clear—across all generations, people want the same thing: to be understood, respected, and listened to.

A big thank you to our HR Community Sponsor, Takaful Oman Insurance S.A.O.G, our panelists, and everyone who joined us for such an open and honest discussion.