In an ever-changing world, Sohar International continues to play a pivotal role in identifying emerging trends, providing its customers and the society at large with more vision, more value, and more velocity. As part of its value proposition, the bank is hosting Lord Gerry Grimstone of Boscobel Kt, the Minster of Investment in the United Kingdom for its 1st virtual session and 6th edition of ‘Viewpoints – Sohar International Chairman’s Forum. The guest speaker will address the topic “Has everything changed? - The post COVID-19 world” in an insightful and thought-provoking session that will be streamed live via the bank’s YouTube channel on June 15, 2020 starting at 7:30pm.

The 6th edition of Viewpoints is taking place in the backdrop of COVID-19 that has jolted economies and governments worldwide. After a deep freeze, countries across the world are now beginning to take gradual steps to reopen their economies. With his vast experience spanning private and public sectors, Lord Gerry Grimstone’s address on a key topic is slated to offer a complete picture of the changes that will shape the state of the world in a post COVID-19 world.

Speaking on the 6th edition of ‘Viewpoints – Sohar International Chairman’s Forum that is being held in a virtual format for the first time, Mohammed Mahfoudh Al Ardhi, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Sohar International, said: “As economies around the world continue to grapple with the diverse challenges and economic implications of COVID-19, we are pleased to welcome Lord Grimstone, the UK’s Minister of Investment to this fully virtual, webinar-style session of the Sohar International Chairman’s Forum. He will address a plethora of Oman’s political and industry leaders and dignitaries, and offer valuable insights on the challenges and opportunities governments and corporations around the globe can expect to address in navigating a post COVID-19 world.”

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel Kt, is the Minister for Investment jointly at the Department for International Trade and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, The United Kingdom. His responsibilities include developing a new investment strategy and promoting investment across all sectors.

Prior to joining the government, Lord Grimstone’s roles have included: Chairman of Barclays Bank plc and Standard Life Aberdeen; Lead non-executive on the Board of the Ministry of Defense; Chairman of Financial Services body, TheCityUK, from 2012 to 2015; Member of HM Treasury’s Financial Services Trade and Investment Board. Lord Grimstone has held board appointments across many sectors and served as one of the UK’s Business Ambassadors. He was knighted in 2014 for public service to defence and business.

Over the years, Viewpoints has gained traction from target audiences following successful sessions where it has hosted dignitaries such as His Excellency Guðmundur Árnason, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Iceland who spoke on Iceland’s economic experiences with a focus on the country’s financial challenges and how they influenced Iceland’s new organic budget law in 2018. The first edition of Viewpoints forum witnessed His Excellency Mohammad Abdulla Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future of the United Arab Emirates as a guest speaker who tackled the importance of Future Foresight and how it can impact overall development. Viewpoints’ has also featured Sir Gerry Grimstone, besides globally renowned Spanish architect and sculptor - Dr Santiago Calatrava.