Welcome Remarks by Mr Teng Theng Dar, CEO of Singapore Business Federation, on
“Doing Business in Oman – Experience Sharing and Networking Session” on 27 May 2009,
2.00 pm 5.00 pm at Singapore Business Federation Seminar room 2
Esteemed members of the Singapore Business Community, ladies and gentlemen,
A very good afternoon to all of you!
1. On behalf of the Singapore Business Federation and the Middle East Business Group, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to our Singapore companies who have gathered here today to attend today's session on Doing Business in Oman - Experience Sharing and Networking Session.
2. At the same time, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank for our corporate partner, Qatar Airlines for their continuous support for SBF-MEBG activities to make this business group a more vibrant and dynamic one.
3. Oman and Singapore have always enjoyed strong relations at the governmental level, this is not only evident in the very warm hospitality given to us by the Omani government during the state visit but also the fact that Oman was the first country to rectify the GCC-Singapore Free Trade Agreement amongst the six gulf countries.
4. Oman's speed of rectification of the FTA lies in their leadership's conviction for the need to create and institutionalise a framework to enhance economic cooperation between Oman and rest of the GCC countries with Singapore.
5. At the business to business level, the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) also renewed the MOU signed on 28 March 2005 to incorporate new articles to include the formulation of a joint action plan and the formation of a bilateral business council to help the business communities from both sides reach out to each other and tap on the benefits of the GSFTA.
6. From the interaction with the Omani business community on this visit, the Middle East Business Group is pleased to report that Singapore enjoys a good and trusted brand name in Oman with both government and business community alike.
7. There are also ample opportunities of varying sizes for sectors such infrastructure, real estate, tourism, ICT and logistics services in Oman given that Omanis are quite willing to consider working with Singaporean, aside from their traditional Europeans and Americans partners .
8. Against the backdrop of these tremendous opportunities, I am pleased to announce to all of you that the Oman Centre for Investment Promotion and Export has appointed one our local company, Mini Environmental Services Pte Ltd as their official representative in Singapore.
9. With the setting up of this new representative office, Singapore companies’ will now be able to tap on local support to facilitate their business foray into Oman.
10. In line with SBF's vision for a Business-for-Business support through our Middle East centric community platform MEBG, it is my pleasure now to invite Mr Michael Wee of Top Great Engineering and Marine Pte Ltd, who was part of the delegation that travelled with us to Oman in March 2009 to share his experience of doing business in Oman.
7. Michael, please.
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