Latest news with #OmaniStartupsProgramme
Observer
17-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
SMEs empowered under equal opportunities initiative
MUSCAT: A new phase of support for Omani entrepreneurs was launched with the fourth edition of the National Equal Opportunities Initiative, spearheaded by the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) and the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn). The initiative aims to bolster local industries, encourage innovation, and provide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with access to viable business opportunities. Dr Ayman bin Abdullah al Fudhaili, CEO of the Industrial Innovation Academy, stated that Madayn has empowered SMEs by offering technical support, capacity-building programmes, and strategic partnerships that enhance competitiveness and ensure sustainable growth. One of the Academy's key programmes is "Oman Makers", which supports small factories with diagnostics, consulting, and prototype development. He also highlighted the "Sohar Production" initiative, a manufacturing hub offering reverse engineering services and precision design capabilities that reduce R&D costs. Additionally, the "Business Accelerator", part of the Omani Startups Programme, connects startups with investment opportunities to scale both locally and internationally. Numerous training programmes have also been rolled out, including those in AI applications, plastic machinery operations, legal skills, and traditional ship modelling. The Academy has also identified critical service needs across Madayn's industrial zones—such as maintenance, PR, legal and insurance services—which SMEs can fulfil. These services are estimated to be worth over RO 6.7 million. The launch event saw the signing of contracts between SMEs and various stakeholders to deliver these services. A successful case study was presented to showcase the impact of such collaborations. The event was attended by Shaikh Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Chairman of OPAZ, underscoring the government's ongoing commitment to supporting SME growth in the Sultanate of Oman. — ONA
Observer
12-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
HH Sayyid Bilarab visits eMushrif
Muscat: HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham al Said, Honorary President of the Promising Omani Startups Programme, paid a field visit to eMushrif, a leading startup enterprise in the logistics technology sector, on Monday. The company specializes in providing safe and smart school transportation using the latest technologies related to student safety, in addition to the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). This visit reflects HH Sayyid Bilarab's keenness on supporting and empowering Omani startups and enhancing their role in the national economy. Sayyid Bilarab reviewed the company's most prominent solutions for student safety on school buses, including equipping them with smart electronic devices that enable parents and service providers to monitor the safety of their children through smartphone applications, IoT technologies, artificial intelligence and big data analysis. The company reviewed its expansion plans in several regional countries as it has offices and subsidiaries in the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Kuwait, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Turkey. At the conclusion of the visit, Sayyid Bilarab commended the company's efforts in advanced technologies, its technological progress and its regional expansion. He emphasized the important role played by startups in promoting innovation and building a sustainable economic future. Sayyid Bilarab was accompanied during the visit by Dr Rahma bint Ibrahim al Mahrouqiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation; Halima Rashid al Zar'aiyah, Chairperson of the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development and Engineer Said bin Abdullah al Mandhari, CEO, ITHCA Group. The visit is part of a series of visits by HH Sayyid Bilarab to support startups. It is his second visit, following his visit to Thawani last April to learn about the company's specialized digital financial solutions and services.
