PHOTO
Muscat: Tejarah Talks, a new business initiative by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) was launched Wednesday evening at the Civil Aviation Authority Training Centre in Al Hail North with a session entitled ‘Sustainability – A Nice-to-have or a Need-to-have?’
Supported by SOHAR Port & Freezone, HSBC and Oman Business Forum, Tejarah Talks attendees heard from a panel of local and international businesses committed to reversing climate change through innovative thinking. Helping lower Oman’s CO2 emissions, improve sustainability and lead Oman’s transition to renewables.
Maymuna Al Adawi, MoCIIP Director and Tejarah Talks organizer said: “Omani consumers used to fall into two distinct categories a niche group of eco-friendly shoppers and everyone else. Today that distinction no longer exists. Sustainability is mainstream and the public particularly Oman’s youth want the brands they choose to engage with to be eco-friendly.”
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a sizeable shift in Omani consumer attitudes towards climate change which has inspired firms, large and small, to innovate and re-evaluate their way of working and become more sustainable.
“Businesses in manufacturing, energy, tourism and food production are finding interesting and exciting ways to address sustainability issues,” commented His Highness Sayyid Dr. Adham Al Said, Founder, The Firm and moderator of Wednesday evening’s Tejarah Talks. “The upshot is companies discovering new ways to go green, protect the environment and make substantial savings.”
In addition to the financial savings Omani businesses can make through green practices, there is also scope to attract investment with sustainability increasingly becoming a prominent criterion for funding, pointed out His Highness.
According to the IFC a shift to low-carbon, resilient economies could translate into US$23 trillion investments globally through to 2030. Transitioning to a low-carbon economy has already created a US$1 trillion annual global market in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, green buildings, carbon-efficient transportation and other infrastructure.
On the job front, there is considerable evidence that decisive climate action generates economic vitality. In fact, the ILO suggests climate policies could potentially create 24 million new jobs.
A recent Barclays study revealed that 75% of businesses interviewed benefited commercially after going green. For many firms, investing in sustainable measures is not just an ethical decision but also a profitable one.
One third of businesses surveyed by Barclays also reported lower business costs as a result of their green investments – while 27% believed their actions would help their company gain environmentally responsible status in the marketplace.
“It is clear from the Barclays study that investing in green and sustainable measures not only enhances brand image but also increases competitive advantage. In fact, there is no doubt that improving a company’s reputation by showing dedication to sustainability can have an indirect effect on a firm’s net profits,” added the MoCIIP Director.
Another factor that Omani businesses need to consider is that Gen Z employees increasingly want to work for companies who are doing the right thing - 52% of employed adults feel that their companies should be more environmentally aware according to global HR company, Adecco.
“Smart local businesses know change means new opportunities and going green and sustainable is not only a positive humanitarian move – it is potentially a highly lucrative one,” concluded Al Adawy.
The 23 February Tejarah Talks session was moderated by His Highness Sayyid Dr. Adham Al Said, Founder, The Firm. The panelists were: Mazin Al Saadi, HSSE Manager, Mazoon Dairy; Mark Geilenkirchen, CEO, SOHAR Port & Freezone; Dr. Firas Al Abduwani, VP, Clean Energy OQ Alternative Energy; Simon Adcock, Head, Commercial Banking, HSBC; and Dr. Michael Tsang, Founder, Three Pillars Consulting.
-Ends-
For press enquiries please contact:
Sajda Al Ghaithy
Media Director
Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotion
PO Box 550
Muscat, 100
Sultanate of Oman
Sajda@tejarah.gov.om
© Press Release 2022
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
