The Banking Executive Magazine - January 2026 Issue

Is There Life After the Dollar? BankDhofar SUPPORTS WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS TO DRIVE INCLUSIVE GROWTH As Oman advances its economic di- versification agenda under Vision 2040, women entrepreneurs are emerging as an increasingly powerful force in driving innovation, job cre- ation and sustainable growth. Sup- porting this momentum is a banking sector that is evolving beyond tradi- tional finance playing a catalytic role in enabling women-led enterprises to start, scale and succeed. At the fore- front of this shift is BankDhofar, which has positioned gender-inclu- sive growth as a strategic priority within its SME and wholesale bank- ing proposition. Women-owned businesses in Oman span a wide range of sectors, from re- tail, hospitality and professional serv- ices to technology, logistics and manufacturing. Yet access to tailored finance, advisory support and digital tools remains critical to unlocking their full potential. BankDhofar ad- dresses these needs through a com- prehensive suite of products and services designed to meet women entrepreneurs at every stage of their business journey. Central to this approach is the Bank’s SME financing portfolio, which in- cludes working capital facilities, term loans, trade finance solutions and cash-flow-linked products that help women-led businesses manage growth cycles and expand into new markets. These offerings are comple- mented and faster credit decisioning, reducing administrative barriers that often discourage early-stage entre- preneurs. Beyond financing, BankDhofar pro- vides women entrepreneurs with ac- cess to advanced digital banking platforms that enable seamless pay- ments, collections and cash-manage- ment services. Through secure online and mobile channels, business own- ers can monitor liquidity in real time, automate transactions and integrate banking services directly into their operations—allowing them to focus on growth rather than paperwork. Capacity-building is another pillar of the Bank’s gender-inclusive strategy. These initiatives foster peer learning, strengthen financial literacy and sup- port the transition from informal or micro-scale operations to sustain- able, growth-oriented enterprises. Women-led businesses are also ben- efiting from BankDhofar’s support for innovation and digitalisation. By en- abling access to e-commerce pay- ment gateways, POS solutions and API-enabled services, the Bank helps entrepreneurs adopt modern busi- ness models and reach customers be- yond traditional boundaries. This is particularly impactful for women- owned SMEs seeking to scale effi- ciently while balancing operational and personal responsibilities. Importantly, BankDhofar’s commit- ment to empowering women entre- preneurs aligns closely with national objectives around economic inclu- sion, private-sector development and human capital advancement. By sup- porting women-led enterprises, the Bank contributes to broader socio- economic outcomes—higher work- force participation, diversified income streams and more resilient communities. As Oman’s entrepreneurial land- scape continues to evolve, BankD- hofar is reaffirming its role as a trusted partner for women in busi- ness. Through inclusive finance, dig- ital enablement and ecosystem collaboration, the Bank is helping transform ambition into achievement ensuring that women entrepreneurs play a central role in shaping Oman’s future economy. ISSUE 205 JANUARY 2026 the BANKING EXECUTIVE 25