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:

MathewIS@state.gov

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 colejb@si.edu ,

calling (202) 633-4610, or mailing to: National Museum of African Art, MRC 708 P.O. Box

37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012.

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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/

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The Hotel Show

Products: Hospitality

Furnishings, Services &

Design

Location: Dubai

Date: May 15-17, 2012

www.thehotelshow.com

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Automechanika Middle East

Products: Automotive

Location: Dubai

Date: June 3-6, 2012

www.automechanikame.com/

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Beauty World Middle East

Products: Cosmetics

Location: Dubai

Date: May 29-31, 2012

www.beautyworldme.com

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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 .