Signaling the start of a new era, Maqbool bin Ali Sultan, Minister of Commerce & industry and Chairman of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) has appointed Eng. Mohammed Al Ghassani as Executive Vice President of PEIE effective 11 May 2005.
As Executive Vice President, Al Ghassani will have primary leadership responsibility for developing, sustaining and promoting PEIE as an organization which serves the Sultanate’s manufacturing and ICT communities through the provision of high quality premises and comprehensive cost effective services.
"Mohammed played a pivotal managerial role in taking Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) from concept through to execution. In fact, the Park’s 12,000 square metres of office and business incubator space are now fully occupied and we’ve the makings of a thriving international technology park. It’s this experience and perspective that will help Mohammed set a new strategic vision for PEIE, one that will be formed in collaboration with me, our Board, staff, tenants and community leaders," said Al Habsi. "The entire organization joins me in congratulating Mohammed and expressing our strongest support of his commitment to helping PEIE respond to the challenges facing our manufacturing and ICT industries."
Educated at Salford University and Harvard, Al Ghassani greeted the news, saying: "I’m honoured to have been selected. One of my main goals will be to work with PEIE’s staff, tenants and stakeholders on issues that are of vital importance to Oman’s manufacturing and ICT industries. PEIE has highly productive and dedicated employees who are committed to meeting the challenges that face us in the future. Indeed, I look forward to bringing my experience to bear through working with PEIE personnel to make our estates and technology park a regionally recognized hot-bed of successful manufacturing and hi–tech business activity."
Given his experience at KOM, Al Ghassani is seen to be ideally suited to act as the rallying point for hi-tech and manufacturing businesses in the Sultanate, providing the energy and drive, which will foster dynamism within PEIE. As Executive Vice President, he will exert considerable influence on Oman’s move towards a knowledge and information-based economy.
PEIE (www.peie.om) is responsible for developing and managing over 41,000 hectares of prime industrial land and hi-tech office space on: Rusayl, Raysut, Sohar, Nizwa, Buraimi, Sur, Al Mazunah Free Zone and KOM. It works closely with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, permitting and regulatory organizations, utility providers and others to develop the partnerships that assures business success. Moreover, it assists companies in assembling sites, developing buildings, facilitating permitting, assessing infrastructure needs, reviewing incentives available for projects as well as helping firms market and promote their products and services.
