Omantel and Sohar International have joined forces to bring women entrepreneurs and business leaders together for the fourth edition of Aamali Talks, a forum focused on supporting women-led businesses and strengthening Oman’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector.
Held at Al Bait Al Sharqi in Muttrah on 18 October 2026, the event was organised in celebration of Omani Women’s Day under the theme ‘Women Supporting Women in Business’. It provided a platform for participants to exchange experiences, discuss challenges facing women entrepreneurs and explore opportunities for collaboration and business growth.
The latest edition marked the first collaboration between Omantel, Oman’s telecommunications provider, and Sohar International on the Aamali Talks initiative. The partnership brings together expertise in digital and telecommunications services with banking and financial solutions, offering entrepreneurs access to perspectives from both sectors.
The discussions centred on the role of mentorship, professional networks and knowledge sharing in helping women establish and expand their businesses. Participants also explored how stronger relationships between entrepreneurs can create opportunities for partnerships, improve access to business knowledge and support long-term enterprise development.
The session featured Maymouna Al Shaibani, founder and general manager of the Retail Academy, and Dr Badriya Al Fahdiya, co-founder of the Mother and Fetus Care Centre. The discussion was moderated by Maryam Al Amriya, founder and chief executive of Matters Group.
Through their professional experiences, the speakers addressed the challenges involved in establishing businesses, expanding operations and building the relationships needed to sustain growth. The conversation also highlighted the importance of experienced entrepreneurs sharing practical knowledge with emerging business owners.
Shaikha Al Awfi, General Manager of Marketing Communication at Omantel, said women-led businesses were important to Oman’s economic growth, adding that business success depended not only on the quality of an idea but also on access to professional networks, knowledge and commercial opportunities.
She said Aamali Talks was designed to connect experienced business leaders with emerging entrepreneurs, enabling knowledge and opportunities to circulate within the business community. The partnership with Sohar International adds a financial perspective to the initiative, complementing Omantel’s digital and telecommunications services for SMEs.
Abdul Qadir Al Sumali, Chief Retail and Wealth Management Officer at Sohar International, highlighted the contribution of women entrepreneurs and women-led SMEs to economic diversification, competitiveness and sustainable growth in Oman.
He said the collaboration reflected the organisations’ commitment to strengthening cooperation between national institutions, expanding opportunities for women entrepreneurs and supporting their participation in the economy. These objectives align with Oman Vision 2040, the country’s long-term development strategy, which seeks to build a diversified, innovation-driven economy supported by national talent.
The partnership is intended to connect business owners with complementary forms of support. Omantel provides telecommunications and digital solutions that can help SMEs improve operations and reach customers, while Sohar International offers banking and financing services to support business activity and expansion.
By bringing these perspectives together, Aamali Talks extends beyond a networking event, creating an opportunity for entrepreneurs to discuss practical business needs and learn from the experiences of others operating in different sectors.
Since its launch, Aamali Talks has provided a forum for entrepreneurs and SME owners to exchange ideas and discuss business development. Its fourth edition placed particular emphasis on how women can support one another through mentorship, professional relationships and shared knowledge.
The latest collaboration reflects continuing efforts by Omani institutions to strengthen the local SME ecosystem and support women-led enterprises. The focus on practical experience and professional connections also highlights the importance of networks in helping business owners identify opportunities, navigate challenges and develop their enterprises.
For the women entrepreneurs who attended, the event offered an opportunity to build relationships with peers and business leaders while exploring ways to strengthen and expand their operations.
