Muscat, 8 March 2008: BankMuscat, the leading bank in the Sultanate of Oman, recently hosted the “Partners in Progress Awards” evening to thank and recognize merchants with highest card volumes traded during the year 2007. The evening was an opportunity for the card services department to build upon strengthening their relationship with top merchants from across the country who have contributed to business volume across various merchant categories. Addressing the gathering at the awards ceremony, AbdulRazak Ali Issa, Chief Executive, BankMuscat said,

The Partners in Progress Awards were conceived as a tribute to all our merchant partners. The Bank has been able to grow from strength to strength with the support it has received from all its partners in industry, customers and the goodwill of the people. I take this opportunity to thank you all for your continuous efforts and confidence.

The Partners in Progress awards were constituted in 2006 as an annual event by the card services department of BankMuscat. The Card Services Department commenced its card acquiring operations in 2002, and since then it has reached many milestones with the added support of its merchant partners and customers. It has now become the largest acquirer and issuer of cards in Oman. Card Acquiring Services, has deployed over 2250 POS terminals in various regions to support the initiative of e-payments in the country and continues to expand rapidly. This has resulted in an increase in sales with merchants outlets in the market. The Royal Oman Police is the first government body to pioneer acceptance of payment system cards at their directorates. It is with their cooperation that BankMuscat has been able to roll out the payment cards acceptance and electronic payments at all their directorates across the country. This initiative has helped develop the habit of using cards amongst the general public at various merchant outlets. Partners in Progress Awards 2007 –

• Government: Royal Oman Police
• Hotels: Shangri La – Barr Al Jissah
• Car Rental: Europe Car
• Hypermarkets: Lulu HyperMarket LLC
• Supermarkets: Al Fair
• Departmental Stores: Centr
e Point
• Jewellery: Damas
• Travel Agencies: Bahwan Travel Agencies
• Airline: Oman Air
• li>Hospitals / Clinics
: Muscat Private Hospital
• Furniture: Fahmy Furniture
• Clothing: Gulf Imports