ABDULLAH AL RAWAHI
The main target is to reduce gas consumption and boost efficiency.

BIOGRAPHY
Abdullah Al Rawahi was appointed CEO of Al Kamil Power in 2017. He holds a master's degree in industrial engineering and bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Sultan Qaboos University. Al Rawahi has been associated with power plant operations and management in various power plants for over 22 years.
What have been the main highlights over the last two years, and what is your strategy for 2020 and the pillars supporting this strategy?
As a power company, our business model is straightforward, because we have a power purchase agreement (PPA) with OPWP. Al Kamil started in 2002, signed the PPA up to the end of 2017, and negotiated an extension up to the end of 2021 with OPWP. Starting from 2022, OPWP will launch a new way of tendering for another PPA. First, it did stage one in which it set a benchmark equal to the new player. If these companies accept that, they do not need to bring in a new player.
How do you see the future of electricity market in Oman?
In general, OPWP is stopping most new thermal plants and is instead looking to expand its involvement in renewables. The main target is to reduce gas consumption and boost efficiency. In September 2019, gas consumption was reduced by 9.4% YoY, though there was an increase in generation. This means Oman is pushing for the use of gas more for industry and reduce it in power plants. Oman is heading toward a spot or wholesale market, where generators and investors are exposed to more risks.
How advanced is Oman regarding smart grid solutions?
With the advent of renewables, smart grids are necessary because you need to quickly adjust to changes and keep the provision of power constant. Previously, there were only plants operated by fuel gas, which was easy to manually switch on and off; however, now with the mix of energy sources, it is complicated and has to be managed by AI. This means adopting fast calculations and responses, big data, and so forth.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Focus: Future foreign policy
Friends to all, enemy to none
In championing the late Sultan Qaboos' non-interference foreign policy, the new ruler of Oman, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, is determined to work for friendship and peace, justice and harmony, and coexistence and positive constructive dialogue.
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David Kalife, CEO, Oman Oil Marketing Company (OOMCO)
Despite Oman's fuel market slowing down, OOMCO increased its sales volume of lubricants by 36% in 2019 and is constructing a greenfield bunker terminal at the Port of Duqm. The company has transformed while growing its expertise in Marketing and Digital.
read articleInterview
Azzan Al Busaidi, CEO, Ithraa
Azzan Al Busaidi is an expert in competitiveness and economic growth. He was appointed CEO of Ithraa in 2019 after 17 years spent covering managerial roles in the organization. Al Busaidi was previously Ithraa's director general of planning and studies and is a strong advocate of the potential of digitization. He holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde and a BSc in Economics from Sultan Qaboos University.
read articleInterview
Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion & Former Chairman, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Private Omani companies will be able to benefit greatly from the Fourth Industrial Revolution by enhancing their local value-added strategies and upskilling the workforce.
read articleInterview
Tahir Bin Salim Bin Abdullah Al Amri, Executive President, Central Bank of Oman (CBO)
The Central Bank of Oman's job is to ensure there is adequate liquidity in the system and that banks remain robust and resilient to meet the credit requirements of all segments without undermining financial stability.
read articleB2B
Capital markets
CMA and MSM are supporting Vision 2040 by providing financing to government companies that intend to go public, financing expansion of existing and new IPOs, and widening the investors base in Oman by enhancing and developing the investment funds and insurance industries.
read articleInterview
Khalid Al Balushi, CEO, Khazaen Economic City
International investors and business owners can benefit from Khazaen Economic City's strategic location and its close proximity to the main gateways of the country to import, process, manufacture, distribute locally, and export their goods and services.
read articleFocus: Port 4.0
Destined for greatness
Investments in world-class infrastructure have generated huge rewards for Oman. The goal now is to leverage technology as a disruptive enabler, build human capacity across the public and private logistics sectors, and drive operational efficiencies to build an integrated logistics business environment that is benchmarked against the world's best.
read articleFocus: Gap in tourism services
All bases covered
An amalgamation of local companies and unique experiences in Oman has created an original flavor that is further differentiating Oman's tourism offering from other countries and in the process attracting scores of tourists from all across the world.
read articleB2B
Engineering design
Renardet Engineering Consultants and Design Unit Engineering are recognized experts in their fields. While the former is an international company strongly committed to excellent engineering consultancy services and environmental practices, the latter is an Oman-based team of architects and engineers that incorporates local culture and traditions.
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Construction materials
Oman's construction sector is facing a host of challenges, but Hempel Paints and Al Maha Ceramics are confident that a mix of forward-thinking business models, unique products, and strong government initiatives will help them through turbulent times and generate positive returns in the long run.
read articleInterview
Salim Razvi, CEO, Oman Academic Accreditation Authority (OAAA)
Focusing on higher education institutional accreditation, program accreditation, and the updating and maintaining of the Oman Qualifications Framework, OAAA is helping further advance higher education in the Sultanate.
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