Shinuna Al-Barwani, Founder and CEO of Metro Muscat, together with her dynamic team, has etched a new chapter in Oman’s digital success story. At COMEX 2025, the Sultanate’s largest technology exhibition, Metro Muscat emerged as one of the event’s biggest winners, securing four prestigious awards, including the coveted Best of the Best Award—a special jury honor recognizing the single most impactful project of the year.

With over 90,000 visitors and 430 participants, including 35 government entities, 140+ startups, and global giants like Google Cloud, Huawei, Oracle, Fortinet, Oman Air, and Yango Taxi, the event was a landmark moment for Oman’s innovation ecosystem. Metro Muscat’s triumph demonstrated that Omani companies can not only compete but also lead on the international stage.

Four Awards That Tell a Story

Metro Muscat’s achievements reflect both vision and execution. The company won the Digital Retail Transformation Award for revolutionizing food supply chains, the Women in Technology Leadership Award honoring Shinuna Al-Barwani’s role as a trailblazer for Omani and Arab women in tech, and the Sustainable Tech Solutions Award for its pioneering model that combines technology, sustainability, and food security. The Best of the Best Award crowned their success, proving the team’s cross-sector impact and national significance.

Strategic Agreements and Global Engagement

Alongside the awards, Metro Muscat announced two groundbreaking agreements. The first, with Orqi, aims to integrate AI into e-commerce to improve efficiency and customer experience. The second, with UGM, expands the company’s digital footprint into new regional markets. High-level meetings with Google Cloud, Huawei, Oracle, Oman Air, and Yango Taxi further positioned Metro Muscat as a key player in cloud computing, AI-driven logistics, and smart transport solutions.

Youth Empowerment at the Forefront

A standout highlight was the role of Jehaina Al-Maslahi, a second-year university student and Metro Muscat’s Marketing Manager. Representing her team, she led the company into the COMEX 2025 Pitch Battle, where Metro Muscat secured a place among the Top 10 finalists out of 40 startups. This accomplishment not only opened doors to investment opportunities but also showcased the company’s dedication to empowering Omani youth and placing women at the center of digital transformation.

Driving Thought Leadership

Beyond awards and deals, Shinuna Al-Barwani and her team also hosted an influential panel discussion: “E-Commerce in Oman: Between Reality and Aspiration.” The session tackled challenges such as e-payments, logistics, and digital trust, while highlighting opportunities in export platforms, SME support, and AI-driven food security. The dialogue was directly aligned with Oman Vision 2040, emphasizing the country’s journey toward a diversified and tech-driven economy.

Why Metro Muscat Stands Out

The company’s success rests on a holistic strategy: leveraging AI-powered automation to reduce food waste by over 20 percent, creating economic opportunities for SMEs and merchants, strengthening national food security, and aligning directly with Oman Vision 2040. The four awards are more than accolades—they are proof of Oman’s potential to become a regional hub for digital food commerce.

Shinuna Al-Barwani’s vision extends beyond trophies. By 2027, Metro Muscat aims to empower 50,000 merchants—including wholesalers, retailers, entrepreneurs, and affiliate marketers—creating thousands of opportunities and transforming Omani trade into a borderless digital economy.

A Statement from the CEO

“Winning four awards at COMEX 2025 out of only fifteen, advancing to the Pitch Battle Top 10, signing strategic agreements, and meeting with global leaders like Google Cloud, Huawei, Oracle, Oman Air, and Yango Taxi—these are all proof that our Omani team can compete globally. With our mission to empower 50,000 digital merchants by 2027, this is only the beginning, and the future holds even greater opportunities for Oman and the region.” — Shinuna Al-Barwani, Founder and CEO, Metro Muscat

Conclusion

COMEX 2025 marked a turning point not just for Metro Muscat but for Oman’s digital economy. Shinuna Al-Barwani and her team showed that success is collective and deeply rooted in innovation, youth empowerment, and strategic vision. Their journey sets the stage for Oman to emerge as a global hub for digital food commerce and technological excellence.