MUSCAT: In an exclusive interview with The Arabian Stories, Abdul Latheef, Managing Director of Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals, talked his intent to utilize his membership to the Board as a bridge to connect the expatriate business community with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion as well as the OCCI.

He expressed gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik for his far-sighted leadership in creating avenues for expatriate community to contribute to the economy, and acknowledged the trust and confidence bestowed on him by electorates with a warm thank you. “The Ministry has provided an excellent opportunity to represent expatriates and I would like to thank people across Oman who voted for me,” he said.

He is all set to study expectations of the ministry and the Chamber, as it gets ready to hold the first board meeting, tomorrow, to elect its Chairman for the new term. He says his first task is to assess the Ministry’s expectations as well as that of the community to find the right platform to partner with the government in achieving the goals set forth in the Vision 2040.

Speaking about his responsibilities as the expatriate board member, he said the opportunity presents itself as a bridge between the expatriate community in Oman and the Ministry and the government entities. “I can represent their thoughts their suggestions and challenges and I can address the challenges,” he added.

He plans on meeting investors around the country and making inroads to establish country-wise and nation-wise investor clubs that are relevant to the cause and effective in forging ahead with the government’s plans to diversify economy and attract foreign investment.

“I can represent their (expats) thoughts their suggestions and challenges and
I can address the challenges.”

As a businessman with operations in other Gulf countries as well, Latheef says it is his love for the country and its lofty visions that has shaped his fortunes here. “I settled in Oman because there are so many opportunities here… I can invite investors from outside too, as it is easier to do business, more so now,” he states.

According to him, now is the right time to invest, as Oman’s economy is growing and there are a lot of potentials to make right investment choices.

Talking about the healthcare sector, Latheef, head of the largest private healthcare group in the country, said, “We can participate and do so much more in health care.” He hopes to draw attention of other health institutions to the importance of tertiary care and the need to enhance such services and facilities within the country to make Oman a critical care hub.

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