26-05-2025
'Harf Oman' to empower Omani craftsmen
Muscat: The Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED) announced the launch of the National Crafts Programme 'Harf Oman', one of the strategic national initiatives aimed at advancing the crafts sector in the Sultanate of Oman, enhancing its role in supporting the national economy, empowering Omani craftsmen, and promoting Omani cultural identity at both local and international levels.
The programme complements ongoing efforts to achieve the goals of Oman Vision 2040 by supporting cultural and creative industries, enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of small and medium enterprises with a craft-related focus, and creating an integrated system for training, marketing, financing and innovation.
Halima bint Rashid al Zariyah, Chairperson of the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED), stated: "The programme will be launched in a three-year initial phase. The programme's focus in the upcoming years will be on promoting self-employment and transforming the crafts sector into a creative economic sector. The next phase will emphasise various aspects, including local and international marketing of Omani craft products, training and engaging young talent in this sector."
ASMED aims to advance the crafts sector to become a leading global model that enhances economic sustainability and attracts national talent. This is achieved through a clear mission aimed at empowering Omani craftsmen by supporting creativity, developing skills and enhancing integration with entrepreneurship. The programme includes several strategic objectives, such as empowering craftsmen, building national capacities in production and innovation, improving product quality, developing craft value chains, enhancing competitiveness, utilising modern technologies and innovation, establishing an integrated infrastructure, and developing a legislative and institutional environment that supports craft industries.
The programme includes four strategic axes: innovation and technical development, local content governance, product marketing and protecting national identity, and investment opportunities and economic sustainability. These axes focus on utilising modern technologies, artificial intelligence, training programmes, setting technical standards, promoting the use of local resources, creating digital platforms, identifying investment opportunities, encouraging investments, proposing growth policies, and governing local content for crafts and craft industries.
The National Crafts Programme will expand the reach of Omani craft products in global markets, provide an enabling environment for artisans through training, financing and technology, enhance the contribution of craft industries to the gross domestic product, link traditional crafts to tourism, education and e-markets, document Omani identity and support its export in a modern format.
