Economic Development

Omar is involved in promoting the economic development of the MENA region, serving as the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) Chair of the MENA Regional Business Council (2014-2015), and Chair of the initiative, ‘A New Vision for Arab Employment’ (2014-present).

Omar also sits on the Leadership Council for Harvard Kennedy School’s Centre for Public Leadership (2018-present), Harvard Business School’s Board of Dean’s Advisor’s (2018-present), and Harvard Business School’s MENA Advisory Board (2015-present).

In line with his leadership role within the MENA region, Omar was elected as Chairman of the Family Business Council – Gulf (FBCG) in April 2018. Family Businesses make up 80% of the GCC’s private sector. FBCG’s membership makes it a unique community of Peers and is part of the largest global family business organization, Family Business Network (FBN). It is a private, non-profit organization launched in 2012, inspired by the view that the continuity and prosperity of family businesses is vital for the economic sustainability of the region, and can play an important positive role in society.