BankMuscat, Oman Oil Marketing Company, Oman Mobile and Lulu Hypermarkets join hands to bring customers smart card enabled rewards programme

Positioned as a product that helps shoppers 'save as they spend ', the basmaRewards programme, will help shoppers 'add more smiles to their day', with a world of benefits and privileges coming their way from the four partner organizations.

Speaking about the partnership, AbdulRazak Ali Issa, chief executive of BankMuscat (SAOG) said:

"We are extremely happy to be part of this pioneering initiative that has four of the largest and most prominent companies in the Sultanate joining hands to provide greater value to customers. BankMuscat is committed to enhancing customer delight in each and every possible way. The basmaRewards programme, we believe, has the potential to change the way people shop in the Sultanate."

Additional partners and merchants will join the basmaProgramme in early 2006 including car sales & service companies, jewellery stores, fashion outlets, electronic showrooms, restaurants, travel agents and hotels. The basma programme will allow cardholders to accumulate basmaPoints against every Rial Omani spent at any of the merchant outlets. Furthermore, if a cardholder is a BankMuscat credit card holder, he or she can earn additional points by paying with their BankMuscat credit cards.

Speaking on the occasion, Mike Wilson, managing director of Oman Oil Marketing Company said:
"It has always been our endeavour to provide value-added services to customers in the Sultanate. What better way than to provide them with a means to save even as they spend, We are sure that the basmaRewards programme will go down well with motorists and shoppers in the Sultanate and help add more smiles to their day."

Unlike many other programmes, basmaPoints can be used as a mode of payment with each point being equal to 1 baiza. Instant redemption will be possible as basmaCards will use the latest smart-chip technology allowing cardholders to make full or part payments for purchases of their choice at all omanoil Filling Stations, Lulu Hypermarkets and Department stores and selected Oman Mobile outlets across the country.

Affirming their commitment in the programme, Dr. Amer Awadh Al Rawas, Managing Director, Oman Mobile said:

"The world today is moving rapidly toward finding methods that promote customer loyalty in exchange of value. Reward programmes, like basma, have shown phenomenal results across product categories in this regard. Oman Mobile endorses offers that our valued customers will enjoy and make part of their lives. The basmaRewards programme, with the high degree of flexibility that it offers, and the promise of more benefits to come, will definitely help enhance our commitment to remain the favorite mobile telecommunication operator in the Sultanate. "

The basmaCard also doubles as a pre-paid fuel card allowing customers to both budget for their fuel spend whilst saving basmaPoints at the same time. The basmaCards have a secure Personal Identification Number (PIN) to prevent unauthorized use in case the basmaCard is lost or stolen.

Confirming their participation in this exciting venture and how they feel it will impact customers in the Sultanate, Ananth A.V., Regional Director, Lulu Hypermarkets said:

"Lulu Hypermarkets has become the first choice of customers in Oman. We believe that the customers should be given even more reason to come back and shop at Lulu. The basmaRewards programme, will go a long way in providing them with another reason to do so."

Initially, the basmaCards will be issued by BankMuscat to privileged credit card holders and by Oman Mobile to a select number of its 1-million customer base in January 2006. The basmaCards will be available at all omanoil Filling Stations for motorists that load RO 20 in the pre-paid facility on the basmaCard.