Hani has extensive knowledge and experience in financial, investment and business management. He started his career working in investment banking in Geneva and then moved to Morgan Grenfell Bank in London before joining OMINVEST in Oman.

As well as his work with The Zubair Corporation, he is a member of several Boards. He holds the position of Chairman of Fund for the Development of Youth Projects (Sharakah), and Vice-Chairman of Alizz Islamic Bank, the National Finance Company and the National College of Automotive Technology.

He previously held the position of Chairman at OMINVEST and served on the Boards of Oman Arab Bank, Commercial Bank of Oman, Muscat Finance Company and FINCORP. He was also Board Member for the National Training Fund and a Member of the Advisory Committee for the National CEO Program.

Mr Al Zubair was nominated by the Government to represent the Private Sector on the Boards of Government-owned Hotels. He represented the Oman Chamber of Commerce & Industry as a member of the team for meetings of the Indian Ocean Rim – Association for Regional Co-operation, and also served on the regional board of the Young Arab Leaders.

Hani holds a Bachelors Degree in Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science from Richmond University, UK. He is also a keen sportsman.

Luca is managing partner and owner of Ecosave GmbH, Switzerland. He established this consultancy in January 2005, with the objective of providing strong project leadership, requirements evaluations, and implementations of fully integrated closed- loop data-warehouse (DWH) / business intelligence (BI) / Big data and campaign management systems, to:

• Organise business with focus on customer centricity while leading digital disruption
• Centralise data so it can serve as the foundation for insight and action
• Emphasise agility and closed-loop analysis so companies fail – learn – and succeed fast

“The last years have been full of great challenges and opportunities. In this context, OSFA lived up to the purpose of promoting, caring for, undertaking, organizing and sharing activities of information and trainings of the most diverse nature, in the interests of its members in the Sultanate of Oman and Switzerland.

The world after COVID-19 is unlikely to return to the world that was. Many trends already underway in the global economy are being enhanced by the impact of the pandemic. This is especially true of the digital economy, with the rise of digital behaviour such as remote working and learning, telemedicine, and delivery services.

For the future OSFA, we will have to accelerate actions on issues such as global cooperation, because choices made during crises can shape the world for decades to come.

He has a wealth of experience that spans over 20 years in financial management with demonstrated skills in credit risk evaluation, strategic planning, developing solid relationships and managing profitable growth overseeing large portfolios across various industries such as trading, manufacturing, logistics & transportation, oil and gas, aviation, tourism, educational institutions, SME funding and non-banking financial institution. At present, he holds Board positions in various companies and an active Board Member of the Oman-French Friendship Association. He is also the founder of Landscape Architecture and Partners LLC.

Mohammed Al Kharusi is currently the Chief Investment Officer of Mohsin Haider Darwish (MHD) LLC, one of the largest professionally managed business houses in the Sultanate of Oman with a solid and impeccable reputation built over the last 80 years. Before joining MHD, he has played a pivotal role in different organizations where he worked as Acting Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer at Taageer Finance Company, Head of Investment at Citibank, NA, and Corporate Banking Division Officer at National Bank of Oman.

Dr. Anka Kästner is a senior consultant at Switzerland’s largest communications agency. She heads the technology group and is responsible for the development of the agency’s international business, together with global network partner Edelman. Anka has experience in marketing, as a journalist and in international relations. She studied linguistics and literature in Russia and received a doctorate in philosophy in Germany. She has lived in Germany, Russia and France and has lived in Switzerland for more than 20 years. She speaks German, English, Russian, French and nArabic.

Anka’s previous contributions to the OSFA:

• various concepts and development of ideas for OSFA activities.
• Main conception and organization of the 1st Oman-Switzerland Business Forum, search and engagement of speakers, invitation management, moderation, follow-up.
• first planning for the 2nd Oman-Switzerland Business Forum (postponed several times due to Corona).
• creation and management of an OSFA-LinkedIn group.
• Contact mediation in Switzerland of people interested in Oman.
• Representation of the interests of the OSFA in Switzerland, contact person for all matters of the OSFA.

Anka’s future contributions to the OSFA:

• Revitalization of the close relations between Switzerland and Oman after Corona.
• Idea and concept development for activities.
• Establishing contacts between Switzerland and Oman.
• Organization of OSFA events in Switzerland.
• Participation in the organization of OSFA events in Oman with the contribution of the Swiss perspective, my contacts and communication skills.
• Public relations in favor of Oman and increasing the awareness of the country as an economic, tourism, educational and cultural partner.

“I am convinced that my engagement, my enthusiasm and my achievements in favour of the Association qualify me to continue tightening, growing and deepening – together with my valued board member colleagues – the relationship between Oman and Switzerland.”

Today, with partnerships between other global leading companies, the group is a multi-million-dollar international organization with diverse involvements ranging from construction, manufacturing and infrastructure to real estate, consumer products, food distribution, travel, insurance, investments and health care. He is involved in decision making on strategy, business directions, control and facilitation to various businesses.

He obtained a Degree in Business Administration: International Business and majored in Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, both through Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.A. in 1994.

He holds the position of Chairman of Al-Omaniya Financial Services SAOG, creating the largest non-banking financial institution in Oman. He is also on the board of National Gas Co. SAOG and Bank Dhofar SAOG.

Experience with Swiss Trade Associations & Swiss Missions:
Almost all his career Lateef has been associated with business associations. He also worked with Swiss Consulates and Embassies in Turkey, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan to promote Swiss Trade opportunities.

Free Trade Agreement (FTA) – Oman & Switzerland:
Lateef orchestrated efforts in the success of FTA with Swiss Embassy and Oman Customs to make it operational and was a helpful support to the Deputy Economic Swiss Minister and Chairman of the International Economic Relations in their quest to make FTA successful.

Oman Switzerland Friendship Association:
Lateef was a key liaison with H.E. Stefano Lazzarotto (previous Ambassador) for making the first General Meeting successful and was instrumental in bringing the business community of Oman closer to the Association. As well as his other career tenures, Lateef has 20 years of Professional/Business/Economic and Social experience in Oman and has been strongly socially associated in Oman. Due to his versatile professional and social network in Oman and abroad, Lateef plans to orchestrate tactical support to the Association in various levels of its growth.

“I wish to do my best and will be helpful for both Oman and Switzerland in promoting strong business growth, social benefits, and mutual interests.”

Said has been involved with H.E. the Ambassador on the NewJen initiative to engage with the new generations of Oman.

OSFA is an important tool to enhance collaboration between Swiss and Oman. During his tenure as a Board Member in OSFA, Said looks forward to enhancing youth dialogue between the two countries, and to encourage knowledge and technology transfer. He also hopes, along with his fellow Board Members, to play a positive role in increasing trade and investments.