OCCI seminar stresses importance of leadership in management

MUSCAT: The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) hosted a seminar on theme, ‘Leadership and Management Development’, in Muscat on Tuesday.
The Chief Guest, His Highness Sayyid Luay bin Ghalib al Said, was joined by Shaikh Faisal bin Abdullah al Rawas, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, members of the State Council, dignitaries, businessmen and entrepreneurs.
The event attracted distinguished professionals from both within Oman, who underscored the importance of knowledge sharing and professional enhancement in leadership and management.
Speaking at the opening, Shaikh Faisal of OCCI, said: “The aim of this symposium is to upgrade the skills of private sector leaders. We are also accompanied today by a team of international, Gulf and Omani experts to make an assessment of the most recent management practices on how to build them and enhance productivity in the private sector without altering the administrative framework of companies”. Sayyid Ayman bin Hamad al Busaidy, Vice President, SABCO Group, commented: “The leadership symposium underlined how transformational leadership relies on openness, communication and compassion, guiding organisations through crises and a rapidly changing world safely. Drawing lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic and other challenges in the private sector, the speakers emphasised the necessity of finding a balance between strategy and human touch to achieve tangible and realistic goals”.

Areej Mohsin Darwish, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Automotive, Construction Equipment and Renewable Energy Group at Mohsin Haider Darwish LLC, said in her keynote address, “Today’s leadership is defined by inspiration, adaptability and the ability to confront crises with confidence. This conference is convening experts to exchange experience, transfer best practices and discuss the future of professional networks for productivity, innovation and competitiveness to propel business”. “Through panels, papers and workshops, the symposium will promote leadership skills, boost innovation, facilitate youth employment opportunities and enhance cross-sector economic ties; and generate sustainable growth and investment”. She concluded.
In remarks to the Observer, Swati Dlamini Mandela, entrepreneur, humanitarian international speaker and granddaughter of Nelson Mandela, described the event as a critical forum to unite participants from all corners of the globe to share ideas, collaborate and help each other tackle challenges in the world.
“In a crisis-affected age, the meeting seeks to create solutions and discover fresh ways to handle concerns”, Mandela said. “One of the things that were emphasised forcefully was getting women around the table. Even though giant summits have an abundance of men, the call was made for getting women placed in the centre of the conversation about leadership and problem-solving and calling attention to the fact that varying minds need to be at the decision-making table”. A highlight of the event was a panel discussion titled “Inspirational Leadership in a Rapidly Changing World: Between Self-Empowerment and Crisis Management”, featuring leading figures: Sayyid Ayman bin Hamad al Busaidy, Vice Chairman of SABCO Group; Dr Aflah bin Said al Hadhrami, Managing Director of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO); Swati Mandela, Chairperson of the Mandela Institute for Humanity; and Aisha Alfardan, Vice Chairwoman of the Qatar Businesswomen Association.
The seminar also included a live session on theme, “Challenges and Opportunities in a Transforming World”, moderated by Chairman Concordia Group Dr Amer bin Awadh al Rawas. He spoke about challenges faced by business owners amidst regional and international shifts, but underlined opportunities that emerge due to shifting economic landscapes.