Work from home a hit

MUSCAT — The ‘Work from Home’ initiative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry aiming at encouraging and motivating the national youth, mostly women, has been evoking great response and till date as many as 211 nationals have made use of the initiative and have engaged in businesses in the comfort of their homes, according to the DirectorateGeneral of SMES.

This number includes 179 women and 32 men who have come up with small and medium scale enterprises which can be operated from home including sweets manufac- turing and sale of garments. Trade licences at no charges have been issued to them between March and December, 2011.

“Considerable attention by the ministry has been given to the growth of SMES in the country and this project of ‘Work from Home’ is another initiative to support women who don’t want to work outside. We are also aiming at men as well,” Salah bin Hilal al Mawaly, Director-general, Directorate-general for Development of SMES.

He pointed out that the project was primarily aimed at women as they can be saved of the lengthy procedures and legal documenta- tion of a start-up business and any Omani national who is 18 years old can apply for a licence for as many as 10 business activities.

But in effect, it is valid for more than that number. The application should contain a copy of the applicant’s ID card, ownership of the house or a copy of the lease, and a letter from the owner of the house allowing the applicant to practise the activity, in case the house is not in the name of the applicant.

“Basically the licence is valid for 10 activities mentioned in the document but in effect, it is more than that because some activities such as printing,