OCCI Showcases Omani Brands at Biban Forum: What This Means for Business Growth and Investment in Oman
MUSCAT, NOVEMBER 7 — The Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) is actively participating in the Biban Forum 2025, held from November 5 to 8 at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Centre in Saudi Arabia. This prominent event gathers a diverse array of GCC and international institutions focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, franchising, and the growth of SMEs and start-ups.
Leading the Omani delegation is Eng. Hamoud bin Salem Al Saadi, Second Deputy Chairman of OCCI and Chairman of its Franchise Centre Committee. The group includes ten Omani trademarks featured in the forum’s Franchise Gate, reinforcing OCCI’s mission to enhance the regional visibility of Omani brands and expand their franchising prospects.
Eng. Al Saadi emphasized that OCCI’s involvement in Biban Forum 2025 supports efforts to deepen economic and investment collaboration between Oman and Saudi Arabia while seeking opportunities for partnership and integration in innovation and advanced technologies. He highlighted OCCI’s dedication to empowering Omani entrepreneurs and promoting the presence of Omani trademarks on regional and international stages. The forum provides a vital platform to exchange expertise and identify best practices for developing a sustainable and innovative entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Further, Eng. Al Saadi noted that the event fosters stronger public-private partnerships between the two nations and explores pathways for economic integration aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and Saudi Vision 2030, particularly in areas such as innovation, technology, entrepreneurship, franchising, and SME development.
Biban Forum 2025 is recognized as one of the largest regional events focused on entrepreneurship, start-ups, and SMEs. It connects entrepreneurs, decision-makers, investors, experts, and consultants to facilitate strategic partnerships, quality opportunities, and innovative ideas. The forum showcases numerous launches and agreements that directly impact the entrepreneurial sector, aiming to boost SME investments and growth. It also supports new start-up creation through financing, advisory services, and training.
The event features seven main segments or ‘gates,’ each dedicated to a vital aspect of the entrepreneurship ecosystem: Empowerment, Finance & Investment, Franchising, Start-ups, E-commerce, High-Growth Enterprises, and Market.
During the forum, the OCCI delegation, led by Eng. Al Saadi, met with Sayyid Najib bin Hilal bin Saud Al Busaidy, Oman’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, at the Omani Embassy in Riyadh. The discussions centered on the significance of Omani trademarks and SMEs participating in exhibitions and events in Saudi Arabia, which present promising opportunities for regional and international expansion. The parties explored ways to enhance trade and investment cooperation, tackle challenges faced by Omani entrepreneurs, and coordinate with relevant authorities in both countries to implement effective solutions.
Additionally, Counsellor Saif bin Said Al Shamli, Deputy Head of Mission at the Omani Embassy in Riyadh, visited the OCCI booth at Biban Forum 2025. He received a detailed briefing on Oman’s trademarks, their business operations, and regional expansion plans via franchising. He praised Oman’s participation as a valuable contribution that showcases the advancement of the Sultanate’s business environment and the growing competitiveness of its trademarks in regional and global markets.
The delegation also visited the Social Development Bank in Saudi Arabia, accompanied by Hamad bin Salim Al Harthy, Chief of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Portfolio Management at Oman’s Development Bank and Deputy Chairman of OCCI’s Franchise Centre Committee. They met with Abdullah bin Saad Al Ruwais, Vice President of the Business Sector at the Social Development Bank, to discuss the bank’s experience in financing Saudi franchises, supporting brand owners, and overcoming challenges. The meeting highlighted key success stories and best practices in this field.
This engagement at Biban Forum 2025 marks a significant step in solidifying economic ties and fostering innovation-driven growth between Oman and Saudi Arabia.
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Oman’s active participation in Biban Forum 2025 signals a strategic push to bolster regional economic integration and expand the footprint of Omani trademarks through franchising, especially in collaboration with Saudi Arabia. For businesses, this opens significant opportunities to leverage cross-border partnerships, innovation, and advanced technologies aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and Saudi Vision 2030. Smart investors and entrepreneurs should prioritize building scalable SMEs and franchise models that can capitalize on enhanced financing, advisory support, and regional market access emerging from this strengthened cooperation.
