Khalfan Al Mahrazy*, President of Knowledge Oman, is optimistic that the New Year will bring about a host of positive changes and better days, with the International Monetary Fund predicting that Oman will be the fastest growing economy in the GCC region by 2019.
What are your personal and professional expectations from the New Year?
There is always a good time and hope for better days. I believe the New Year will bring about a lot of opportunities for the people who live in Oman, in term of jobs and economic growth as well. In the wake of the recent fiscal problems, caused by the sharp decline in the oil prices in the region, the government and the people in Oman have been roused to put more efforts into economic diversification – to diversify from oil and gas to non-hydrocarbon sectors and industries. The International Monetary Fund has also predicted that Oman will be the fastest growing economy in the GCC region by 2019. I hope and believe better days are ahead for the people in Oman. Moreover, people are getting health savvy and inclined towards fitness and, as a result, you see many are getting into fitness and health centres. Furthermore, people realise life is not easy and are becoming money-conscious too, incorporating it into their everyday lifestyle.
From a knowledge perspective, how would you define the year that has gone by?
Very impressive and I would say moving in a positive direction. Society is hungry for knowledge and hungry to make a difference. We at Knowledge Oman have conducted many knowledge sharing sessions, workshops and even seminars, apart from ad-hoc projects over and across the past ten years, yet the last year has been focused on women, entrepreneurship, technology, and youth. In partnership with PACA, we have invited professionals from Bank Muscat, Sharaka, Al Raffd Fund, Technology Fund Wadi Accelerator, SME Development Fund, etc. and have invited over hundreds of professionals from the various sectors who attended to learn, network and also partner with other members. We have been thrilled to learn that some of the members ended up opening up business, some women left jobs to start their own business, while others remained to start a side business. Also, students became aware of entrepreneurship in general and we see high interest in the society as people are moving in the direction of starting their own business to impact the nation in a positive way.
Do you see the New Year throwing any challenges or opportunities in the field of knowledge sharing?
Definitely. Knowledge Oman was the only knowledge-sharing platform. In that, it is specifically focused on youth and has been the only platform offering knowledge for free by partnering with leading and international organisations as well. Today, many have grasped the idea, and we are pleased to see many youths and even some organisations are adopting a knowledge-sharing practice for their employees and even for their customers, partners and others. Opportunities are there, and there are no doubt challenges, which is just the reason for us all to work harder and continue to impact society and people in a positive way for better days. There is no good work without a real challenge and there is no satisfaction out of the easy challenge.
Any words of advice to start the New Year on a positive footing?
Stay positive, work hard and never stop making a difference by learning on what is new, what is useful and what can be introduced to impact the society in a bigger way.
* Khalfan Al Mahrazy is the President of Knowledge Oman, the leading community initiative platform in the country founded in 2008, and also a manager in Ooredoo Telecom and has over 13 years of experience in the telecommunication industry with diverse expertise in people management, project management, workforce management, community initiatives and so forth.
