
Youth programmes launched in agricultural, maritime and technical sectors
These youth programmes target individuals aged 15 to 34 in all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, with each governorate hosting programmes tailored to its specific nature.
The Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme aims to equip young people with entrepreneurial skills in the agricultural sector and introduce them to promising opportunities within this field. Meanwhile, the Maritime Entrepreneurship Programme seeks to develop entrepreneurial skills among youth in the maritime domain by leveraging Oman's natural resources and strategic location.
In the technical field, the Technology Entrepreneurship Programme focuses on enabling participants to invest their technological skills and transform them into scalable tech projects.
Furthermore, the Logistics Entrepreneurship Programme emphasizes empowering youth to innovate sustainable entrepreneurial projects in the logistics sector, enhancing their practical skills in areas such as storage and e-commerce.
The Craft Entrepreneurship Programme has been introduced to utilize craftsmanship and artistic skills in building innovative entrepreneurial projects that preserve cultural identity, demonstrating a commitment to offering specialized programs.
Additionally, a programme for youth has been dedicated in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to foster the concept of independent work among the 15-17 age group.
As part of the diversification of programmes offered, the Youth Camp (Design and Packaging) programme was launched, aiming to provide participants with essential skills in modern product design and packaging, aligning with market demands.
It is worth noting that the number of beneficiaries from the Youth Center's programmes reached 56,953 young men and women by the end of last June.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Commerce Ministry takes action against companies engaged in hidden trade
Muscat: Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, met on Tuesday at the Ministry's headquarters with a number of entrepreneurs working in the vehicle repair and maintenance sector. This meeting is part of a series of direct engagements conducted by the Ministry to enhance communication with small and medium enterprise (SME) owners, in line with its efforts to empower entrepreneurs and strengthen the business environment in the Sultanate of Oman. The initiative is carried out in collaboration with partners, including the SMEs Development Authority (Riyada), Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Khazaen Economic City. The meeting addressed key challenges facing workshop owners and businesses in this vital sector, including unfair competition under the guise of concealed trade. The Ministry confirmed that it has taken several legal measures against violating companies by implementing the first phase of Ministerial Decision No. 412/2023 on combating hidden trade, which covered three governorates (Muscat, Dhofar, and North Al Batinah). The second phase of the decision will be rolled out in the coming period. The discussion also touched on challenges related to obtaining land usufruct rights for conducting economic activities in vehicle repair and maintenance, as well as financing difficulties for projects in this sector, including personal and housing loans for entrepreneurs. The importance of digitizing all government services was also highlighted. For his part, Mubarak Mohammed Al Dohani, Director General of Planning at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, emphasized that this meeting aligns with the Ministry's policy of opening direct dialogue channels with economic activity owners. A series of meetings will be held in the coming period with entrepreneurs from various sectors to understand their challenges and proposals for developing and enhancing the national economy. He noted that the vehicle repair and maintenance sector represents a key link in the value chain of Oman's automotive market, offering vast opportunities for entrepreneurship and self-employment. He added that the Ministry is keen on activating the business environment and improving the competitiveness of service activities, including vehicle repair, in which citizens account for over 93% of participation. The Ministry, in coordination with its partners in industrial cities such as Khazaen, is working to facilitate the transition to organized and sustainable work environments that enable SMEs to grow and thrive. Entrepreneur Nasser Nasrallah Al Fahdi presented a working paper detailing his personal experience in establishing and managing a vehicle repair workshop, along with the challenges he faced since starting in 2016. He also shared his success story and continuous efforts to develop his workshop to keep pace with market advancements, despite financial and regulatory hurdles. Additionally, representatives of Khazaen Economic City delivered a visual presentation highlighting investment opportunities available in the Khazaen Market for vehicle spare parts, repair, and maintenance. This integrated project aims to regulate the sector, provide an ideal and safe environment for workshops and craftsmen, and link services with modern logistical facilities. The presentation also noted the market's comprehensive infrastructure, which includes dedicated auto repair units, spare parts showrooms, and support services, all within a regulatory framework that accounts for population and urban growth in South Al Batinah Governorate and neighboring areas. Data released by the Information and Statistics Department at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion indicates that the number of licensed companies in vehicle repair and maintenance activities exceeded 13,500 by June 2025, distributed across various governorates of Oman. Muscat Governorate leads with 3,690 establishments, followed by North Al Batinah (2,226 establishments) and Dhofar (1,941 establishments). The data also reveals that the most common activities are vehicle electrical repair (3,651 establishments), vehicle mechanics (2,363 establishments), and oil change services (1,441 establishments). Meanwhile, full Omani ownership accounts for over 95% in most of these activities.


Times of Oman
4 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Young Omanis lead nation in savings, reveals survey
MUSCAT: Young Omanis are leading the country in personal financial discipline, with 75 percent of individuals aged between 18 and 29 saying they save part of their income regularly, according to a survey by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) in collaboration with the Financial Services Authority. The 2024 survey explored attitudes toward saving and investment among citizens and found that young adults were significantly more likely to save than older age groups. The savings rate drops to 58 percent among those aged between 30 and 40, and falls further to 42 percent for individuals aged over 50. Overall, the survey found that 59 percent of Omanis save some portion of their monthly income. Of these savers, 81 percent keep their money in bank accounts — both Islamic and conventional — making it the most preferred method of saving. While the youth demographic showed the strongest saving behaviour, women outperformed men, with 74 percent of Omani women saving regularly compared to 56 percent of men. Higher education levels were associated with stronger saving habits, with 73 percent of those holding qualifications above the general diploma level saving, versus 49 percent among diploma holders and just 33 percent among those with less than a diploma. Income and employment also play a clear role. Among employed Omanis, 64 percent save, while only 49 percent of job seekers and 39 percent of those outside the labour force do the same. Those earning above OMR600 per month recorded a 69 percent savings rate, compared to just 33 percent for those earning below OMR300. The top reason cited for saving was to prepare for emergencies and future needs, followed by housing and investment goals. The findings reflect a growing culture of financial awareness among young Omanis and are expected to guide national policies focused on improving saving behaviour across the Sultanate.


Observer
4 hours ago
- Observer
Oman, Philippines sign visa waiver pact for diplomatic passports
MANILA: Oman and the Philippines on Tuesday signed a mutual visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic, special and service passports. The agreement was signed during a meeting between Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidy, Foreign Minister, and Maria Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, in Manila. Both sides agreed to pursue efforts to sign several memoranda of understanding and agreements that would strengthen bilateral cooperation. The two ministers also agreed to hold the second Oman-Philippines Investment Forum in Muscat next year to foster sustainable economic ties. On the political front, the two sides exchanged views on regional issues of mutual interest, including consultations on knowledge exchange, skills development, and strengthening partnerships between Asean and the GCC. Lazaro expressed profound gratitude for Oman's humanitarian efforts, which recently led to the release of several sailors from the MV Galaxy Leaders in Yemen. She also commended the wise and balanced foreign policy of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the fair treatment of Filipino workers in Oman. She welcomed the outcomes of the successful Oman-Cebu Investment Forum and expressed interest in supporting further private-sector initiatives to leverage available investment opportunities. Sayyid Badr appreciated the remarks of the secretary, emphasising the shared values and friendship that continue to grow in service of mutual interests and common prosperity. The meeting was attended by Nasser bin Said al Manouri, Oman's Ambassador to the Philippines; Raul Hernandez, the Philippine Ambassador to Oman, and some officials. — ONA