Strategically positioned to serve Oman's thriving automotive market with faster, customer-first financial solutions
Muscat – United Finance Company (UFC) proudly marked the official opening of its newest branch in Al Maabelah on Monday, May 19, under the gracious patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed Al Shihi, Wali of Al Seeb.
Located in the heart of Al Maabelah's vibrant automotive and commercial zone, the new branch is a key milestone in UFC's broader strategy to bring financial services closer to customers, enhance convenience, and support growing businesses through seamless, customer-centric solutions.
The event welcomed over 80 guests, including esteemed auto dealers, long-standing partners, and senior representatives from UFC. Traditional Omani hospitality was offered, accompanied by a live oud performance and UFC-branded giveaways.
The ceremony began with opening remarks from Mr. Mahmood Al Hadi, AGM – HR, Administration & Recovery, one of the founding members of UFC, who reflected on the company's journey and reaffirmed its purpose-driven growth.
Mr. Abdullah Al Khayyari, Chairman of UFC, followed with a message focused on customer-centric expansion, highlighting Maabelah as a key location in line with UFC's vision for sustainable market leadership.
Delivering the keynote, Mr. Fawaz Al Riyami, Chief Business Officer, outlined the branch's role in UFC's transformation roadmap.
'This branch represents more than a physical space—it embodies our continued push toward faster service, deeper community engagement, and digitally empowered customer experiences.'
The Maabelah branch is expected to serve both individuals and SMEs, particularly in the automotive sector, offering a tailored suite of financing options designed around speed, simplicity, and trust.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by H.E. Sheikh Ahmed Al Shihi, marking the branch's official opening and reinforcing the company's strong ties with the local community.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
5 hours ago
- Observer
Oman strengthens food security through model farm programme
Dhank: More than 250 farms in Al Dhahirah Governorate have benefited from the Commercial Model Fields Program, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Agricultural, Fisheries and Water Resources in 2020 to promote sustainable agriculture and strengthen food security across the Sultanate, according to a report by Oman Daily. As part of the program, over 9,000 tissue-cultured date palm saplings and 6,000 high-quality fruit tree seedlings have been distributed to farmers across the governorate, covering more than 140 acres of cultivated land. The initiative supports economic-scale farms in all three wilayats of Al Dhahirah, helping them adopt modern irrigation systems and apply advanced agricultural practices. The program aims to improve productivity, raise the quality of local produce, and increase farmers' income through the cultivation of carefully selected fruit varieties, including mango, Eureka lemon, Omani lime, guava, fig, and grapes. It also encourages a shift toward water-efficient farming methods by requiring the installation of modern irrigation systems as a condition for support. According to the General Directorate of Agricultural Wealth and Water Resources in Al Dhahirah, the model farms serve as living examples of what sustainable and profitable agriculture can look like when guided by structured planning, smart technology, and continuous field support. The ministry works closely with farmers to provide technical guidance, regular follow-ups, and field inspections. This hands-on approach ensures that farms not only meet production targets but also operate efficiently and sustainably in the long term. Though currently focused on Al Dhahirah, the program extends to other governorates as part of Oman's broader agricultural development strategy. Officials emphasize that the ultimate goal is to enhance food security, reduce reliance on imports, and equip local farmers with the tools needed to compete in a modern agricultural landscape. By integrating best practices with practical support, the Model Fields Program is reshaping the farming sector—field by field—toward a more resilient, productive, and food-secure Oman.
Observer
11 hours ago
- Observer
Establishment of UTAS branch in Musandam contributes to balanced development
KHASAB: The establishment of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Musandam Governorate is a strategic project with economic, scientific, tourism and social dimensions. It forms part of the comprehensive development and urban strategy to advance the governorate, aligning with the Oman Vision 2040. The project is expected to contribute to balanced development across Oman's governorates, attract investment in projects and services, and enhance the governorate's economic system, including marine eco-tourism, the fisheries sector, logistics transport services and renewable energy investments. Dr Said bin Hamad al Rubaie, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, emphasised that the Musandam branch will strengthen human development factors, increase job opportunities for the local community and supply the labour market with graduates who meet the requirements of the comprehensive development plan. This will be achieved through high-quality educational and training programmes that reinforce national identity and social values while equipping graduates with modern knowledge and skills for life and work. In a statement, he said that the establishment of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences branch in Musandam Governorate marks the first higher education institution in the governorate, aimed at developing Omani human resources and serving as a key driver of social and economic progress. The current admission plan anticipates around 750 students across various specialisations upon the graduation of the first cohort with bachelor's degrees. The number of enrolled and admitted students is expected to grow annually after the completion of the branch's permanent building. He noted that in the 2024/2025 academic year, the university's total student number reached 46,875, including 22,503 male students (48%) and 24,372 female students (52%), in addition to 147 postgraduate students. During the same academic year, the Musandam branch enrolled 328 students. The university offers diverse specialisations across its six colleges: Creative Industries, Education, Applied Sciences and Pharmacy, Economics and Administrative Sciences, Computing and Information Sciences, and Engineering and Technology. These programmes are available at diploma, advanced diploma and bachelor's levels. At the Musandam branch during the 2024/2025 academic year, several unique and in-demand programmes were introduced, aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including cloud computing, financial technology, digital business and analytics, and education. The university also plans to introduce scientific specialisations in the second phase, covering marine navigation, marine systems design and marine product processing technology. These programmes are expected to attract students from across Oman and beyond. He explained that, till the completion of the permanent branch building, a temporary facility has been leased to accommodate students and staff. The interim building includes classrooms, academic and administrative offices, computer and science labs, a library, meeting halls and other service facilities. As for the final designs for the main branch buildings in Khasab, he affirmed that pre-qualification for the project has been completed, and bids from companies are currently being analysed by the university's consultancy office and specialists. Dr Said added that future plans for the Musandam branch include establishing a marine sciences department in a prime location in Bukha. The branch will feature a control tower for boat competitions, a racing circuit, workshops, offices, labs and classrooms — all meeting global standards for higher education institutions. - ONA
Observer
a day ago
- Observer
Omani-Bahraini Friendship Society elects new BoD
Rudaina bint Amer al Hajriyah has been re-elected to be the president of the Oman Bahrain Friendship Association for the second time while Sheikha Jawaher bint Khalifa al Khalifa was elected as Vice-Chairperson of the Association for the period from 2025 to 2028 at its regular meeting attended by board members and representatives from the Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Bahrain held at the Diplomatic Club. The meeting, which affirmed renewed confidence, reviewed 2025 plan to enhance bilateral cooperation and discussed key topics related to strengthening bilateral relations and developing cooperation programmes between the two countries. Dr Ahmed bin Saeed al Jahouri was elected as Secretary-General and Ahmed bin Mohammed al Ardi as Treasurer. The Board of Directors also included, from the Omani side: Shaikh Omar bin Ali al Junaibi, Mohammed bin Abdullah al Kharousi and Abdullah bin Mohammed al Ajmi. From the Bahraini side: Yousef Salahuddin Ibrahim, Janat Hassan Musa Shafiei, Ali Kazim Ahmed al Mousawi, Zahraa Baqer and Mohammed Hassan Abdul Hussein al Wazir. The formation of the association's standing committees was also approved and their chairpersons appointed: the Economic Committee, chaired by Abdullah bin Saleh al Shanfari; the Membership and Affiliation Committee, chaired by Manar Malallah al Balushi; the Communication and Media Committee, chaired by Maryam bint Ghaleb al Alawi; the Programmes and Events Committee, chaired by Shihab bin Ahmed al Mujaini; and the Sports Committee, chaired by Captain Ismail al Ajmi. The society was established in 2022 pursuant to Ministerial Resolution No 19/2022 issued by the Omani Foreign Ministry, with the aim of building bridges of cooperation and strengthening the bonds of brotherhood between the Omani and Bahraini people in various fields, at the official, popular, or social levels. Since its founding, Rudaina al Hajri has been leading the association with a strategic vision focused on economic sectors, opening up investment opportunities between the two countries, sustainable development, arts and culture, empowering the role of women, cultural exchange, youth and sports activities; and community outreach, in addition to publishing information on various media outlets to introduce the two peoples to their rich shared heritage. The 2024 annual report and final accounts were reviewed at the meeting, along with the association's 2025 work plan, besides discussing the approved membership mechanism and ratified the final proposal for naming the standing committees, appointing their chairpersons and determining the mechanisms for their activation.
