Omani approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) will be the focus of a CSR conference to be held in Muscat on April 29.

Speakers at the conference will deliberate on the CSR practices of companies in the Sultanate and the mechanisms that can contribute to its development, as well as the government's role in encouraging companies to integrate CSR with the inherent ethos of the workplace.

The conference is being organised by the Arabian Women Media Company and creates a platform for NGOs to meet leading Omani companies to discuss ways of promoting social responsibility. The conference will focus on national companies by hosting experts from the government, the business community and civil society organisations. The conference will discuss a number of issues relating to the benefits accrued to companies by adhering to CSR.

The Capital Market Authority (CMA) will take part in the conference through a working paper to be presented by Hamed bin Sultan Al Busaidi, director general of public services.

Economic analyst Ahmed Kashoob will be presenting a paper on the new concepts of CSR in the Sultanate. The Oman Economic Society will be represented by its board member Imran Ghazali who will present a working paper on the ways to advance corporate social responsibility.

The conference will also shed light on the role of the private sector in CSR and a paper will be presented by the Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) interior region branch, Ibrahim bin Ahmed Al Nabhani. Mohammed Bin Sulaiman Yahmadi, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Eastern Province, will focus on the pioneering model of social responsibility in the north eastern region of Sharqiah. A working paper dealing with the mechanism of CSR and how to develop the concept will be presented by researcher Ahmed Mukhaini.

Daar Al Atta Association will share its experience in the CSR field to highlight the support of institutions and private companies to their charity projects.

Alhya Association will present a paper on the role of the private sector in the Sultanate in the civil community services and charitable institutions.

The conference will also see representatives of companies and institutions working in the field of CSR and representatives of charities and the local civil sector.