Progressive, agile, and dynamic - Sohar International has been a key patron of empowering the community through thought-leadership initiatives that ride on shared knowledge. One such endeavour is the Viewpoints – Chairman’s Forum which recently concluded its 10th virtual edition. Conceptualised and hosted by the Chairman of Sohar International, Mr. Mohammed Mahfoudh Al Ardhi, the latest session welcomed as its esteemed guest speaker, H.E. Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, EXPO 2020 Dubai. Themed ‘Discover the experience behind EXPO 2020 Dubai, H.E. Al Hashimy shared key insights into the execution of a historic exhibition of a huge magnitude.

The highly-anticipated virtual event, Viewpoints, which was held on 23 June 2022, was live-streamed via the Zoom App and Shabiba FM. Gaining the attention of individuals from different segments of society, it saw the active involvement of C-suite executives, industry professionals, and even the youth. With a format that is designed to drive interaction, the event gave an opportunity for the participants to enter into meaningful dialogues with the speaker, engage in thoughtful debates with peers, and network with industry leaders.

Sharing his view on the session, Mr. Mohammed Mahfoudh Al Ardhi said, “Viewpoints has consistently been inspiring individuals to think out-of-the-box, inciting curiosity in the youth to explore different professional domains and encouraging a leadership mindset in the community. At the same time, by offering a platform to connect with international experts, it also gives individuals the necessary exposure to better understand the operations, challenges, and opportunities in foreign markets."

He further added saying, “EXPO 2020 Dubai was more than just a world fair that brought together over 190 countries – it was a historic event that exuberated excellence in organisation, operation, and conduct. The select few that saw through the entire process of conceptualisation to execution demonstrated exceptional capabilities, intellect, and resilience. Our distinguished guest, H.E. Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy, played an integral role in the event and we were incredibly honoured to have her share her valuable insights.”

Speaking about her experience at EXPO Dubai 2020, H.E. Al Hashimy highlighted the core values of driving competitive growth and creating a world-class customer experience. The discussion also focused on the importance of embracing technology and innovation and the critical role these elements play in the progress of any country. HE further elaborated on the Expo's long standing success journey, which began in 2011. For EXPO Dubai 2020 specifically, the success of the project, which has hosted more than 24 million participants, was due to the ability to manage a crisis, to take appropriate measures, especially during the Covid-19 period, including continuous communication with stakeholders and to bring the team members together as a global national project. The project has also strengthened the role of youth and the importance of integrating this important group of society with decision makers.

With a vision to pioneer change, create a knowledge-based society, and inculcate creative thinking amongst the community, Viewpoints has served as a dedicated platform where inspirational global leaders from different industries and sectors share their experiences, knowledge, and ideas with a cross-section of Omani society. By encouraging critical thinking through thought-leadership events like these, Sohar International has demonstrated a strong commitment to contributing to the socio-economic progress of the country.