Sunday 26 / July / 2026
Muscat: A board game designed and developed in Oman has earned international recognition after Abu Dhabi-based agribusiness group Al Dahra Holding won the Training Initiative of the Year award at the ICA Compliance Awards APAC & MENA 2026 for its ethics and compliance training programme built around the board game Fish Tycoon.
Developed by Muscat-based Arab Board Games, Fish Tycoon is a story-driven tabletop game that places participants in realistic workplace ethics and compliance dilemmas. Players vote, debate and make difficult decisions, with every choice shaping the outcome of their characters’ stories and encouraging meaningful discussions around ethical conduct.
Hasan Al Lawati, Founder of Arab Board Games, said the international recognition reflects the growing potential of Omani innovation in corporate learning.
“This award is a testament to the quality of Omani game design and our belief that training should be engaging, immersive and memorable. We have transformed learning from passive presentations into interactive experiences where participants become part of the story, making every decision count.”
Over the past three years, Arab Board Games has developed a range of customised training games covering ethics and compliance, organisational values, codes of conduct, health and safety, leadership, communication, alliance building and soft skills. The company has delivered its game-based learning experiences to organisations across Oman and the wider region, demonstrating how a product designed in Oman can compete successfully on the international stage.
