Aligning with the Royal Directive which called for increased involvement by the private sector to support the growing SME sector in Oman, the ‘Zubair Small Enterprises Centre’ (Zubair-SEC) reported an overwhelming level of interest and applications for support following its first small business workshop.
An event held in May at the Shangri-La Bar Al Jissah formally launched the ‘Zubair Small Enterprises Centre’ (Zubair-SEC) and was followed by a day-long workshop for aspiring small enterprise applicants. The workshop and orientation was attended by 100 enthusiastic Omani entrepreneurs who were briefed on the process to apply to participate in the Zubair SEC Entrepreneurs program. Zubair SEC officials report a high number of completed applications for the program have already been submitted, in advance of the July 15th deadline. Once the deadline has been reached and all applications received, The Zubair SEC team will review the ideas based on the pre-defined criteria and shortlist the best five applicants to proceed into the program.
Highlighting the strong level of interest and response from aspiring Omani entrepreneurs, Hani Obeid, Acting CEO of Zubair SEC noted, “The deadline to submit the first applications is an important milestone for Zubair SEC. At our workshop last month we met many talented young Omani entrepreneurs and we are very encouraged to see that they have applied the skills learnt during the day. We’re seeing some really exciting submissions and of course applicants still have until the 15th July to finalise their entry. Due to the overwhelming response, we’re planning an additional workshop later in the year which will help us identify a second batch of worthy applicants.”
Zubair SEC aims to attract Omani entrepreneurs with business ideas that will achieve sustainable business success and make a difference to the economy through the creation of job opportunities for Omanis.
The aims and objectives of Zubair SEC within the Omani community are not limited to the selection of applicants to enter its program. The Centre also seeks to provide small business advice and consultancy services, and plans to support many more businesses in the Small Enterprises sector through access to leading business experts and workshops. Administrative e-lessons are planned, alongside information about marketing and pricing strategy and introductions to local and national companies supporting small enterprises in Oman.
The planned second workshop is due to be announced later in the year and new applicants will be encouraged to apply, while applicants who were unsuccessful in the first round will also have the chance to amend and re-submit their applications to re-apply for the program.
The Zubair SEC workshop sessions were created to provide applicants with access to leading industry experts who could help them to develop their ideas, but also to introduce them to a network of like-minded, potential entrepreneurs.
Zubair SEC aims to cultivate different private sector enterprises to reinforce the Omani economy and to build a solid base starting from the idea and ending up with the project. The center will provide support for business ideas and small enterprises by all means to ensure its success and economic stability in the long term.
For over four decades, The Zubair Corporation has expanded and diversified, empowering local talent and bringing new business ideology from around the world into the Sultanate of Oman to help build a vibrant and modern nation. The Zubair Small Enterprises Centre is the ideal way to leverage this knowledge and experience for the next generation of Omani business people to accelerate their ideas into the mainstay of the economy in the future.
