In an ever-changing world, Sohar International continues to deliver on its principles of providing more vision, more value, and more velocity. As part of its value proposition, the bank is planning its 6^th edition of ‘Viewpoints – Sohar International Chairman’s Forum,’ that will be conducted in a webinar style setting and streamed live via the bank’s YouTube channel on June 15, 2020 starting at 7:30pm.

The 6^th edition of Viewpoints will host Lord Grimstone of Boscobel Kt, Minister for Investment jointly at the Department for International Trade and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, The United Kingdom. As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic continues to reshape societies and economies around the globe, Lord Grimstone will offer a comprehensive picture of expected long-term changes in a post COVID-19 world.

Highlighting the importance of forums such as Viewpoints especially during such challenging times, Mr. Mohammed Mahfoudh Al Ardhi, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Sohar International said, “With the pandemic impacting economies globally, the entire world is staring at a challenging economic scenario.  Viewpoints serves as an ideal platform to provide the local population with valuable insights and thought provoking engagement with eminent international leaders sharing their experiences, knowledge, and ideas on a global perspective. It’s my pleasure to announce Lord Gerry Grimstone, the Minister for Investment, UK, as my guest speaker on the sixth edition of Viewpoints which will be done in a virtual setting for the first time”

“Owing to the prevailing Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic restrictions, the forthcoming edition of Viewpoints is being held as a Webinar. Such digital setups provide us the opportunity to reach out to the maximum number of people to tune in and benefit from the valuable and relevant discussions that will take place on Sohar International’s YouTube Channel on June 15,” added Mr. Mohammed Mahfoudh Al Ardhi.

Before joining the government, Lord Grimstone’s career spanned the private and public sectors. His roles have included: Chairman of Barclays Bank plc and Standard Life Aberdeen; Lead non-executive on the Board of the Ministry of Defense; Chairman of Financial Services body, TheCityUK, from 2012 to 2015; Member of HM Treasury’s Financial Services Trade and Investment Board. Lord Grimstone has held board appointments across many sectors and served as one of the UK’s Business Ambassadors. He was knighted in 2014 for public service to defence and business.

Over the years, Viewpoints has gained traction from target audiences following successful sessions where it has hosted dignitaries such as His Excellency Guðmundur Árnason, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Iceland who spoke on Iceland’s economic experiences with a focus on the country’s financial challenges and how they influenced Iceland’s new organic budget law in 2018.

The first edition of Viewpoints forum witnessed His Excellency Mohammad Abdulla Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future of the United Arab Emirates as a guest speaker who tackled the importance of Future Foresight and how it can impact overall development. Viewpoints’ has also featured Sir Gerry Grimstone, besides globally renowned Spanish architect and sculptor – Dr Santiago Calatrava.