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Muscat Daily
6 hours ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
'Mustaqil' programme launched to transform skills into livelihood for young Omanis
Muscat – The Youth Centre has implemented the 'Mustaqil' programme, the first national programme of its kind. The programme aims to enable young people to discover their individual skills and transform them into a source of income by promoting a culture of independent work and entrepreneurship among school students. The programme is being implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development. The programme will run for three months, from July 7 to September 18, 2025, and will be distributed across 11 training stations in various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. These include: Sohar University, the Youth Development Center in Sur, Ibri Club, Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex in Salalah, the Youth Center in Khuwair, Sharqiyah University in Ibra, the Oman Across Time Museum in Manah, the wali Hall in Rustaq, the Economic Authority in Duqm, and Khasab Sports Club. The programme targets 330 male and female students from grades 10, 11, and 12, with 30 participants from each governorate. It provides comprehensive professional and cultural training content that enhances students' understanding of freelance work, equips them with skills in providing digital services and dealing with clients, and guides them to create professional files on freelance platforms. It also stimulates early entrepreneurial thinking among them to establish viable small projects. Ms. Samira Al-Tala'iah, Head of the Entrepreneurship Department at the Ministry of Education's Career Guidance Center, emphasized that the 'Mostaqil' program represents a qualitative shift in enabling students to connect academic education with practical reality. She added that, in light of the rapid economic transformations, freelancing has become a major career path. What distinguishes this program is its early development of professional awareness and its assistance in transforming students' passions and skills into real sources of income through a rich practical experience. For her part, Halima bint Ibrahim Al Balushi, Career Guidance Supervisor in Muscat Governorate, pointed out the programme's importance in raising awareness of digital opportunities and enabling students to create professional profiles on freelancing platforms. She explained that 'Mustaqil' is an interactive program that helps students discover their skills in a stimulating and professional environment. Participating students expressed their great benefit from the program, including the opportunity to participate, transform skills into a source of income, gain confidence in entrepreneurship and financial independence, and the importance of the workshops for early entry into the job market and the right direction in this path. A number of parents also expressed their satisfaction with the programme's impact on their children and the benefits they gained from their summer vacation. They explained that the program instilled confidence in them, enabled them to understand independent work and artificial intelligence, and provided them with communication skills and digital service delivery. The 'Mustaqil' programme is a strategic initiative to spread the culture of entrepreneurship in the Sultanate of Oman by achieving specific objectives, including: raising awareness of the culture of freelancing, creating initial accounts on freelancing platforms, developing viable ideas, and empowering students to use presentation and marketing tools and build a personal brand. The programme represents a model of institutional integration between various national entities in supporting and empowering youth, in line with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, by preparing a productive, independent, and proactive generation for the digital and economic future.
Muscat Daily
24-07-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Osara: A coastal tourism experience redefining Dhofar's khareef season
Dhofar – The 'Osara' tourism project, located on Raysut Beach in Salalah, is one of the most prominent tourist and entertainment destinations accompanying the Dhofar Khareef Season 2025. An Omani youth project launched in 2022, 'Osara' witnessed new developments this year across several of its facilities, including the waterfront, which was redesigned to provide a better visitor experience by expanding areas overlooking the sea, creating open seating areas, and adding restaurants and cafes with direct views of the beach. Majid Samhan Al-Mashli, one of the project's founders, said 'Since the launch of the project, we have been keen to present innovative ideas that are in line with visitors' aspirations, and we constantly strive to develop the various facilities of 'Osara' to enhance the quality of the tourism experience.' He pointed out that a new electric games area was added this year within the adventure area, to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for children and their families. In addition to the waterfront and a playground, the site includes a popular market showcasing Omani crafts and traditional products for which Dhofar Governorate is famous. Various retail outlets are also located throughout the site, contributing to supporting productive families and local brands. 'Osara' also includes a theater hosting cultural and entertainment events targeting all age groups, along with quiet beach seating areas that combine entertainment and relaxation. It's worth noting that the 'Osara' project is distinguished by its environmental nature, as it was constructed using recycled wood, making it a model for sustainable tourism. OSARA is supported by Dhofar Municipality, the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, and the Port of Salalah, as part of its efforts to support youth initiatives and enable local entrepreneurs to contribute to boosting tourism during the autumn season. The 'Osara' tourism project, set along Salalah's scenic Raysut Beach, has emerged as a key destination during Dhofar's Khareef Season 2025. Launched by young Omanis in 2022, the project has seen several upgrades this year, particularly along the waterfront. The redesigned beachfront now features expanded sea-view areas, open seating, and a range of cafés and restaurants directly overlooking the shore, all aimed at enhancing the visitor experience. Majid Samhan al-Mashli, one of the founders, told Oman News Agency (ONA), 'Since Osara's inception, we've been committed to offering fresh, innovative ideas that meet visitor expectations. Each year, we work on improving the project's features to elevate the tourism experience.' Among the new additions this season is an electric games zone within the adventure area, designed as a safe and fun space for children and families. Beyond the waterfront, Osara also includes a playground and a vibrant market showcasing traditional Omani crafts and Dhofar's famous local products. Spread across the site are retail outlets that support local brands and productive families. A dedicated theatre hosts cultural and entertainment events catering to all ages, while quiet beachside seating offers a peaceful escape. What sets Osara apart is its eco-conscious design. Built using recycled wood, it serves as a model of sustainable tourism. The project is supported by Dhofar Municipality, the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, and the Port of Salalah — all working to empower youth initiatives and drive local tourism during the autumn season.
Observer
16-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
PASME unveils business incubator in Nizwa
NIZWA: The Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (PASME) officially inaugurated its business incubator in the Wilayat of Nizwa, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate. The launch, under the auspices of Sultan bin Salim al Habsi, Minister of Finance, marks a significant step in supporting entrepreneurship and enhancing Oman's innovation ecosystem. The new incubator aims to provide a comprehensive suite of services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including office spaces, mentorship, training, networking with investors, technical and administrative consulting, and financing opportunities. This initiative is designed to help entrepreneurs transform their ideas into successful projects, contributing to economic growth in the region. The facility is a key addition to the local entrepreneurship landscape, aligning with Oman Vision 2040's goal of building a knowledge-based, innovative economy. The incubator will also support job creation and foster youth participation in economic development. At the opening ceremony, attendees enjoyed a visual presentation and a tour of the incubator's ongoing projects. This development adds to PASME's portfolio of 26 public and specialised incubators across Oman, hosting a total of 129 enterprises and providing a national workforce of 243 employees. — ONA
Muscat Daily
17-02-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman to take centre stage at Gulfood 2025 in UAE
Muscat – The Sultanate of Oman is participating in the Gulfood 2025 exhibition, one of the world's largest food and hospitality events, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with over 129 countries taking part. The five-day event provides a platform for Omani companies and factories in the food industry sector to expand their market reach and enhance international business opportunities. Oman's pavilion at the exhibition is represented by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn), the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development. The participation aims to promote Omani food products globally, attract foreign investments, and boost the local industry's competitiveness. Khalid bin Sulaiman al Salihi, Director General of Marketing and Commercial Affairs at Madayn, highlighted the significance of Oman's presence at Gulfood 2025, stating: 'The participation provides a qualitative addition to attracting and localising foreign investments in Oman. As part of this, we have organised an event focusing on the advantages of investing in the food industries sector in our industrial cities, targeting CEOs, investors, and industry leaders.' A discussion session featuring Omani and international experts will also be held on the sidelines of the event, addressing strategies to enhance food security and foster innovation in sustainable solutions for the future. Additionally, Madayn, in coordination with the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, has facilitated networking opportunities for Omani entrepreneurs not directly exhibiting at Gulfood 2025. A dedicated platform has also been provided for graduates of the 'Industrial Innovation Specialist' programme in the food and beverage sector, implemented at the industrial cities of Sur and Raysut. Salihi emphasised that Oman's participation in Gulfood 2025 is an invaluable opportunity to showcase the high quality of Omani food products and to secure new markets. He noted that demand for Omani products has steadily increased in recent years, reflecting their growing reputation in regional and international markets.
