logo
Sohar International hosts insightful viewpoints forum featuring Goldman Sachs executive and renowned financial journalist

Sohar International hosts insightful viewpoints forum featuring Goldman Sachs executive and renowned financial journalist

Zawya28-05-2025

Oman: Reaffirming its steadfast commitment to fostering intellectual dialogue and the exchange of impactful ideas, Sohar International hosted a compelling session of its signature Viewpoints Forum at the Mandarin Oriental, Muscat, on May 22, 2025. Attended by industry leaders, financial professionals, and decision-makers both in person and online, the event provided timely insights into global market trends under the theme 'Politics, Policy & Prices – Impact on Markets: A Walkthrough.'
The forum featured Mr. James Ashley, Managing Director, Head of International Market Strategy, and Head of Strategic Advisory Solutions at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Mr. Ashley delivered a comprehensive analysis of how geopolitical developments, policy shifts, and economic indicators influence global markets, offering attendees valuable perspectives drawn from his strategic expertise. Moderating the discussion was Ms. Sarah Cocker, acclaimed financial journalist and former CNBC Squawk Box anchor. Her dynamic and thoughtful facilitation enriched the conversation and brought clarity to complex global issues.
Commenting on the event, Mr. Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer at Sohar International, said, 'Knowledge, when paired with access and perspective, becomes a powerful driver of opportunity. Our aim through initiatives like these is not only to exchange insights, but to ignite critical thinking, challenge convention, and equip our stakeholders to navigate an increasingly complex investment landscape with confidence. This forum reflects a broader commitment to strategic foresight and the kind of dialogue that drives long-term value. In an era where global and regional markets are more interconnected than ever, the need for nuanced, context-driven understanding is paramount. By convening thought leaders and decision-makers, we continue to position ourselves as a catalyst for intelligent growth—both for our clients and for the nation at large.'
Welcoming an elite audience of over 100 distinguished high-net worth clients, the event provided a powerful platform for insightful dialogue on shifting market dynamics and long-term investment strategies. Reinforcing its position as a catalyst for knowledge and a proponent of progressive thought leadership, Sohar International thoughtfully curated an environment that encouraged the exchange of diverse viewpoints and forward-thinking perspectives. A dynamic open-floor Q&A session further enriched the conversation, offering physical and digital attendees the opportunity to engage directly with industry experts and delve into issues of both personal and professional significance. Through this high-level engagement, the bank reaffirmed its dedication to equipping stakeholders with contextual intelligence and nurturing a culture of informed decision-making—one that aligns seamlessly with the Sultanate's broader economic aspirations.
About Sohar International:
Sohar International is Oman's fastest-growing bank, guided by a clear vision to become a world-leading Omani service company that helps customers, communities, and people prosper and grow. With a purpose to help people 'win' by delivering responsive banking for their ever-changing world, the bank offers innovative solutions across Commercial and Investment Banking, Wealth Management, Islamic Banking, and more. Operating with a strong digital-first approach and an expanding regional footprint—including presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—Sohar International is committed to driving value through strategic partnerships and a dynamic customer experience.
Learn more at www.soharinternational.com

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

5G-Advanced: e& UAE sets new world record for connectivity
5G-Advanced: e& UAE sets new world record for connectivity

Gulf Business

time2 hours ago

  • Gulf Business

5G-Advanced: e& UAE sets new world record for connectivity

Image credit: WAM/Website e& UAE, the flagship telecom arm of e&, has set a new world record for connectivity by achieving an uplink (UL) speed of 600Mbps on a live 5G network—a major milestone in the evolution of 5G-Advanced. Read- This achievement was enabled by aggregating FR1 bands at 2100MHz and C-band, paired with uplink 3Tx (three transmit antennas) on commercial Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) at a live 5G site. The deployment is fully compliant with 3GPP Release 17 standards, This record-breaking uplink speed represents a cornerstone of 5G-Advanced, empowering uplink-heavy applications with unmatched performance. By leveraging FR1 band aggregation and cutting-edge uplink technology, e& UAE has established a new global benchmark for 5G excellence. Abdulrahman Al Humaidan, Vice President of Fixed Access Network at e& UAE, stated: 'e& UAE's world-record 600Mbps uplink speed is a strategic step forward, catalysing a new era of hyper-fast, uplink-driven digital innovation. This is not just a technological milestone—it's a launchpad for reshaping the digital world and solidifying the UAE's role as a global tech leader.' A new era for enterprise and smart infrastructure The 600Mbps uplink enables a new wave of connectivity, enhancing uplink-intensive applications across both business and consumer landscapes. Enterprises can now enable real-time sensor data uploads in smart factories and logistics hubs, advancing AI-driven automation and predictive analytics. Cloud-hosted collaboration will also benefit, supporting instant uploads for 3D modelling, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) workflows, driving the next wave of digital creativity. Uplink-focused solutions like live video analytics, smart city monitoring, and drone surveillance will thrive, thanks to instant data uploads for mission-critical decisions. Empowering everyday users in the 5G-advanced world For consumers, this leap forward will transform digital lifestyles—allowing content creators to upload 8K videos and stream immersive content to platforms like YouTube and TikTok in seconds. Gamers will enjoy lag-free cloud gaming, while smart homes will instantly upload high-definition footage and IoT data, boosting efficiency and responsiveness. Applications such as virtual event hosting and user-generated AR content will flourish, offering faster, richer, and more immersive digital experiences. Based on 3GPP Release 17, this deployment takes advantage of enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), laying the groundwork for scalable, energy-efficient 5G networks. With this successful deployment on a commercial CPE and a live 5G site, e& UAE has demonstrated its ability to turn vision into reality. By optimizing FR1 2100MHz and C-band with Uplink 3Tx, the company is paving the way toward a hyper-connected future. Once such CPEs become widely available, e& will be well-positioned to empower both consumers and enterprises with next-generation connectivity.

President Sheikh Mohamed meets Sultan of Dawoodi Bohra Muslims in Abu Dhabi
President Sheikh Mohamed meets Sultan of Dawoodi Bohra Muslims in Abu Dhabi

The National

time2 hours ago

  • The National

President Sheikh Mohamed meets Sultan of Dawoodi Bohra Muslims in Abu Dhabi

President Sheikh Mohamed on Monday received Dr Mufaddal Saifuddin, Sultan of the Dawoodi Bohra Community. During the meeting, which took place at Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed welcomed Dr Mufaddal and exchanged greetings on the occasion of Eid Al Adha, the state news agency Wam reported. They expressed their wishes for peace and prosperity. Dr Mufaddal is the 53rd spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim community. This group of Muslims number approximately one million worldwide and have settled in over 40 countries – mostly in India, Pakistan, Yemen, East Africa and the Middle East. It is Dr Mufaddal's first visit to the Emirates for two years. The community has a long-standing presence in the UAE, with approximately 25,000 living and working across the country. The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Ruler's Representative in Al Ain Region, Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and a number of senior officials.

Johnson Controls Arabia targets Saudi mega projects, export growth
Johnson Controls Arabia targets Saudi mega projects, export growth

Zawya

time2 hours ago

  • Zawya

Johnson Controls Arabia targets Saudi mega projects, export growth

As Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 industrial diversification goals, HVAC and Smart Buildings technology company Johnson Controls Arabia (JCA) is expanding its local manufacturing capabilities and offering decarbonisation solutions for sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and commercial real estate. '…we go beyond simply supplying HVAC systems, we help organisations significantly reduce energy consumption and emissions through tailored energy solutions,' said JCA's CEO Dr Mohanad Alshaikh. He told Zawya Projects that the company, as one of the Kingdom's first licensed Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), contributed to over 500 million Saudi riyals ($133 million) in client savings and helped avoid more than 300,000 metric tonmes of CO2 emissions since 2020. 'These aren't just statistics. They represent tangible improvements for hospitals, data centres, commercial buildings, and government facilities across the Kingdom,' he said. 'Whether it's through national programs like Tarshid, or partnerships with key clients, our focus is on delivering measurable, lasting impact,' he added. The company is also supporting local manufacturing through high-efficiency products like the YORK YVAA Style B air-cooled chiller. 'It's produced right here in Saudi Arabia, fully aligned with the Saudi Made Programme, combining global engineering standards with local innovation,' Alshaikh noted. Scale and performance testing JCA recently manufactured the largest air-cooled chiller produced in Saudi Arabia—a 600-tonne capacity system. The achievement was enabled by collaboration with Johnson Controls' global engineering teams and the development of a dedicated production line at its YORK Manufacturing Complex in in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), Johnson Control's largest facility in MENA, Europe, and Latin America. Alshaikh said the chiller is designed to meet the growing needs of mega projects in the region. 'This chiller addresses a critical market need: energy-efficient, high-capacity cooling for mission-critical sectors,' he said. 'For industries such as healthcare, infrastructure, industrial facilities, and commercial real estate, it offers a powerful solution that's not only locally manufactured but performance-tested and certified within the Kingdom.' The complex also houses the region's first AHRI-certified testing lab capable of testing air-cooled chillers up to 600 tonnes, allowing factory acceptance testing within Saudi Arabia. According to Alshaikh, AHRI certification enhances JCA's ability to secure major projects by providing third-party verification of product performance to international standards. 'Previously, chillers of this size had to be shipped to countries like China or the U.S. for testing. Now, that capability exists locally, enhancing transparency, trust, and timelines,' he noted, adding that JCA's is the first and only AHRI- certified lab in the Kingdom for testing air-cooled chillers up to 600 tonnes. The ability to demonstrate verified performance in-house builds confidence with customers and gives the company's engineering teams faster data-driven feedback loops for continuous improvement, noted Alshaikh. 'For consultants and project stakeholders, it means they can verify chiller performance under standardised, controlled conditions, eliminating costly field testing, reducing project risk, and accelerating approvals,' he said. 'For clients, it's a guarantee of performance, certified to international standards, without leaving the Kingdom.' Expansion and export plans The YORK Manufacturing Complex, which currently operates 11 production lines, manufactures over 80 percent of JCA's regional product sales. Alshaikh said JCA plans to introduce new product platforms designed and built in Saudi Arabia, with ambitions to double its export output to 60 percent by 2027. 'Our investment roadmap includes expanding testing infrastructure, deepening partnerships with academic institutions and increasing the localization of high-tech components,' he said, adding that the goal is to position the complex as a platform for Saudi-engineered innovation and global product development. The AHRI certification, Alshaikh noted, gives JCA a competitive edge, enabling the company to export to over 26 countries, including China and the United States. In 2024, JCA launched its largest export initiative with a phased delivery of 1,000 YORK scroll chillers to the U.S. 'It's proof that when you combine world-class engineering with local commitment, the result is Saudi-made products trusted around the world,' Alshaikh concluded. (Reporting by Eman Hamed; Editing by Anoop Menon) (

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store