Bank Muscat al Wathbah Academy to enrol new batch in Dakhiliyah

MUSCAT: Widening the support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, has announced enrolment of a new batch at al Wathbah Academy benefiting entrepreneurs in the Governorate of Dakhiliyah.

The programme launched by the bank as part of its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and ‘Imprints’ social responsibility initiative to support SMEs, is targeted at 100 per cent Omani-owned SME enterprises with existing relationship with Bank Muscat. The business should also have a track record of profitability over the last 2 to 3 years. Interested applicants are required to register online at alwathbah@ bankmuscat.com and the last date for receiving the applications is August 17, 2017.

Fatma al Maskiry, (pictured) AGM — SME Credit, Marketing and Regional Corporates, said: “Following the success of al Wathbah Academy programmes in Muscat, Suhar and Salalah, Bank Muscat is proud to launch the training programme in support of entrepreneurs in the Governorate of Dakhiliyah. The unique al Wathbah Academy reflects the bank’s commitment to sustainable social development, complementing government efforts in strengthening the role of SMEs in the economic development of Oman. al Wathbah Academy programmes across Oman impart the required skills and guidance for entrepreneurs drawn from diverse fields to embark on successful SME business ventures. The programme leads to accredited international certification by Project Management Institute (PMI). The unique SME initiative plays an important role in filling the gaps and empowering entrepreneurs to chart successful business ventures.”

The unique al Wathbah Academy was launched by the bank in August 2014. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative is aimed at equipping youth with selfemployment skills boosting the country’s progress and development. The support to SMEs stems from the bank’s commitment to create selfemployment opportunities for Omani youth who constitute more than 50 per cent of the country’s population.

Enterprising entrepreneurs who completed the SME training programme in the previous batches of al Wathbah Academy are successfully following their business dreams, contributing to the country’s progress and development.