Driving Local Value in Oman

Mahir Al Falahi, Business Development Officer, Oman

For Mahir Al Falahi, business development has always been about more than contracts and commercial targets. Across his career his focus has remained firmly on building long-term relationships, understanding operational challenges, and translating customer needs into practical, high-value solutions.

Working as a Business Development Officer in Oman, Mahir supports business growth and customer satisfaction in a rapidly evolving market.

“My role is about identifying opportunities, engaging with customers, and making sure we deliver services that truly match their operational requirements,” he explains. “That means working closely with customers and our internal teams to develop solutions that are reliable, efficient, and aligned with long-term objectives.”

For Mahir, the most rewarding part of the role is the human connection. Regular engagement with customers and partners has allowed him to build trusted relationships. An approach that not only supports commercial success but also strengthens local partnerships and contributes to his national country – Oman’s wider In-Country Value (ICV) ambitions.

Global expertise, local commitment

Although Oman’s energy sector is well-established and continuing to expand, Mahir acknowledges that there are still some challenges to overcome. “In certain technical areas, access to specialised expertise or services can sometimes be limited,” he notes.

“To address this, the focus should be on developing long-term capabilities through structured training programmes, targeted upskilling, and ongoing support for local service providers,” he adds.

“ICV is a key pillar to support this. It strengthens economic resilience, sustainability, and long-term national growth,” he says. “It supports job creation, skills development, knowledge transfer, and the growth of local supply chains, while helping companies align closely with national development priorities.”

Mahir believes one of our greatest strengths at BENTEC is our ability to combine global engineering experience with strong local presence. And this balance is particularly important in Oman, where ICV plays a central role in shaping how companies operate and invest.

Investing in people, building capability

Mahir believes BENTEC’s long-term investment in Oman is making a tangible difference.

“Our state-of-the-art rig-building facility in Taimsa, Al Madayen, covering around 100,000 square metres, allows us to bring global engineering expertise, operational experience, and advanced technology from across our international locations directly into the Sultanate.”

Omani national professionals have taken leadership roles in some of our complex rig-building projects, demonstrating our commitment to developing local capability.

“We actively involve trainees and early-career engineers in major manufacturing programmes, including the construction of the first four highly automated drilling rigs in Oman. This hands-on involvement ensures practical skills transfer and exposure to advanced technologies,” Mahir explains.

“We collaborate with local universities and technical institutions as well, to support internship pathways, structured training, and long-term professional development.”

“Beyond the workforce, we also prioritise supply-chain localisation. We work with qualified Omani vendors where feasible, helping local businesses expand their technical capabilities and participate in higher-value activities within the sector,” he says.

Delivering for Tomorrow’s Energy Industry

For Mahir, the fast pace of the energy sector is part of what makes it exciting both in Oman and across the global industry. Continuous operations, constant improvement, and the growing role of automation and digital technologies are reshaping how drilling and manufacturing projects are delivered worldwide.

“Modern rigs are becoming increasingly automated and supported by data-driven systems,” he explains. “These technologies improve efficiency, safety, and decision-making while supporting more sustainable operations.”

Despite these technological advances, the fundamentals remain unchanged. Customers still value reliability, quality, and on-time delivery above all else. And they want partners they can trust.

“Being a trusted partner means being the first call when a customer needs support, advice, or a solution,” Mahir says. “It’s about consistently delivering safe, effective outcomes and helping customers operate efficiently while minimising downtime.”

In Oman, where national development goals and industrial progress are closely linked, that same principle takes on an even broader meaning. By investing in people, strengthening local suppliers, and transferring knowledge into the domestic market, Mahir believes our role is not only to deliver equipment and services but to contribute to a stronger, more sustainable industrial ecosystem locally in Oman and as part of the wider global energy landscape.