MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate, was honoured for its pioneering role in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability and community service at the Fourth Oman Forum for Partnership and Social Responsibility. The event was held recently at the Grand Millennium Muscat, under the patronage of Her Excellency Laila Bint Ahmed Al-Najjar, Minister of Social Development and attended by a number of dignitaries as well as officials from various organisations in the country. The award was received from Her Excellency the Minister by Talib Saif Al Makhmari, Manager, Community & Media Relations, Bank Muscat.

Speaking on the occasion, Talib Saif Al Makhmari, Manager, Community & Media Relations, Bank Muscat, said: “We are delighted to receive this honour, which confirms the bank’s pioneering role in social responsibility and sustainability in Oman. Since 2006, Bank Muscat has had a dedicated CSR and sustainability unit, which aligns the bank’s activities to Oman’s development goals. This has now been further refined to align with the pillar of CSR and Partnership in Oman Vision 2040. Every year, the bank sets aside a portion of its profits for its different CSR and sustainability activities to serve different segments of society including the youth and children, people with special needs, social welfare families, entrepreneurs, students and communities across the country as well as other deserving demographic segments. Bank Muscat spends a lot of effort and resources on building infrastructure and human resources as part of its emphasis on CSR and sustainability.” 

He added that the recognition serves as an encouragement for the bank to further strengthen its own sustainability programmes as well as its partnership with civil society institutions and the government so as to serve Omani society in the best manner possible. 

Sustainability is a running theme in all stakeholder engagement initiatives and activities, ensuring lasting positive benefits aimed at strengthening ties with the local community. The Green Sports programme launched by Bank Muscat in 2012 has benefitted thousands of Omani youths till date. The Bank’s annual Tadhamun programme has provided household appliances to more than 1,000 social welfare families over the last seven years to improve their quality of life. The bank’s Jesr Al Mustaqbal programme has provided scholarships to a number of young people from social welfare families to pursue their higher education. The bank also works closely with many civil society organisations to support and encourage people with special needs. In 2019, Bank Muscat become the first bank in the Sultanate to launch a special ATM for visually-impaired people at the premises of the head office of the Al Noor Association of the Blind.

The Al Wathbah Academy equips Omani entrepreneurs with business skills through an eight-month long training programme which helps them get an acquire internationally-accredited certification. The Irshad financial coaching programme, the Maliyat online financial awareness programme, and participation in the Fak Kurba initiative organised by the Omani Lawyer’s Association in coordination with the Ministry of Social Development are some of the Bank’s other initiatives in the CSR and sustainability space over the years.

In the recent past, the bank jointly with the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage inaugurated the old village of Misfat al Abriyeen in the wilayat of Al Hamra to boost heritage tourism and preserve the architectural and cultural heritage of Oman, while also contributing to the creation of jobs and other benefits for the local community in the area. Earlier in November 2020, the bank also celebrated the completion of the Al Khoudh Park project in the Wilayat of Seeb. The opening of the 15,000 square metre park, which was developed in partnership with the Muscat Municipality promotes tourism, leisure and physical activities, while also strengthening local communities and society in general. 

Bank Muscat continues to use every opportunity it gets to channel resources for creating sustainable, positive changes in communities by investing in their welfare. It must be noted that the bank’s sustainability programmes have been well appreciated by society. It has also received a number of awards and accolades in the past for its many programmes and initiatives for the same.