OMZEST Group Chairman His Excellency Dr. Omar Bin Abdul Muniem Al Zawawi, who served as the Special Adviser for External Liaison to late HM Sultan Qaboos bin Said, passed away, on Saturday. He was 90.

Dr Zawawi, one of the wealthiest individuals in the Middle East, had been a leading figure in the economic development of the Sultanate of Oman since 1970 and a personal adviser on foreign policy matters to late HM Sultan Qaboos since 1974.

The Zawawi Group is one of most progressive growth-oriented business group in the Sultanate. With over 75 wholly owned and associate companies, OMZEST forms one of the Sultanate’s premier and diversified business Groups. Dr Omar Zawawi, spearheaded the Group’s rapid growth to its present eminence.

The OMZEST Group, now in its fifth decade of business excellence, has been making significant contributions to the economic development of Oman, helping creation of an empowered and successful nation. With business volumes exceeding a billion dollar, OMZEST provides employment to several thousands. Over 60 per cent of OMZEST’s revenue is derived from manufacturing sector. The Group also represents some of the world’s most reputed organisations – many of them listed in the Fortune 500.

OMZEST has ventures in banking, insurance and finance, multiple companies in the field of construction and contracting which are contributing towards the infrastructural development of Oman. Oman International Bank was established by OMZEST in 1984. With its variety of services and wide network of branches, OIB grew to be a leading commercial bank under the guidance and vision of Dr. Omar Zawawi. In June 2012, OIB merged with HSBC to form HSBC Bank Oman SAOG. Zawawi Group has partnered with world-renowned and highly respected organisations such as Mercedes Benz and HSBC. It also has number of companies engaged in the manufacture of a broad spectrum of goods for the domestic market as well as exports to nearly 100 countries in the world. The Group also offers a host of services such as medical care, IT solutions, office equipment and furniture, shipping, travel & tourism and so on, through its various service-oriented companies and also represents some of the leading companies in the world.

OMZEST’s Pioneering Achievements

OMZEST has played a pioneering role in the all round development of the Sultanate of Oman and has always taken its role to be beyond just business, and this reflects in its impressive list of accomplishments and firsts including:

-Built the first school and hospital complexes in Oman at six locations (Nizwa, Sohar, Rustaq, Sur, Buraimi and Samayel).
-Founded the first group to operate the port at Mina Sultan Qaboos.
-Created Oman International Services, the precursor to Oman Aviation Services.
-Planned and built the first colour TV station in Oman and the Gulf.
-Was consultant for the first private cement factory in Oman, Raysut Cement Company.
-Founded the first 100% Omani owned bank – Oman International Bank.
-Entered into a joint venture with Overseas Trust Bank of Hong Kong and Singapore to form Oman Overseas Trust Bank which is now known as Bank Muscat.

OMZEST’s Other Milestones

-In 2001, OMZEST started the Waljat Colleges of Applied Sciences in association with the Birla Institute of Technology of India.
-Developed Sohar Industrial Port to boost the role of Oman’s seaports in trade and other economic activities.
-Started a major methanol project with MAN Ferrostaal AG of Germany and Methanol Holdings (Trinidad). Oman Methanol Company has become one of the world’s largest methanol producers.