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Vodafone Oman sponsors OABC speed networking evening connecting corporates, SMEs

Vodafone Oman sponsors OABC speed networking evening connecting corporates, SMEs

Muscat Daily22-06-2025

Muscat – The Oman American Business Council (OABC), in partnership with Vodafone Oman hosted its highly anticipated Speed Networking Evening last week, bringing together decision-makers from Oman's leading companies and dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for an evening of fast-paced, high-impact business networking.
Held at the Diplomatic Club, the event was designed to foster meaningful connections between established corporates and growing businesses in a structured format that maximizes interaction. Each attendee participated in a series of two-minute introductions – ensuring a room full of potential collaborations and new opportunities.
Vodafone Oman played a pivotal role as the title sponsor, reinforcing its commitment to the development of Oman's entrepreneurial and SME ecosystem.
'OABC is here to connect people and open doors—and tonight's turnout proves what's possible when we work together,' said Ali Daud, OABC Chairman. 'Through our partnership with Riyada, and Vodafone's generous support, this has become one of OABC's biggest events yet. We're proud to stand behind SMEs and help make doing business in Oman easier.'
Mohammed Al Alawi, Head of Enterprise at Vodafone Oman, shared: 'At Vodafone Oman, we are proud to be part of initiatives that align with our commitment to empowering Oman's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Events like these foster meaningful connections that can lead to impactful partnerships, and we are honored to contribute'
Riyada, The SMEs Development Authority, also played a key role by identifying and inviting a dynamic group of SMEs to take part. Khalfan Al Khatri, added: 'It's vital for Oman's SMEs to have access to platforms where they can present their businesses directly to the corporate sector. We commend OABC for organizing this professional and efficient event, and we look forward to supporting future collaborations'.
The evening concluded with informal networking over refreshments, with many participants continuing conversations that began during the rotations. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many noting the quality of connections made in such a short timeframe.
The Speed Networking Evening is set to become a recurring highlight on the OABC events calendar, underscoring OABC's mission to foster meaningful, cross-sector connections in Oman's business landscape.

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