OAPFD holds workshop on direct PFD/ICV system

MUSCAT: The Omani Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD) held a workshop to study the establishment of the local added value Direct PFD/ICV System of the Partnership for Development Programme.

The workshop involved 25 representatives from 12 government agencies concerned with the industrial planning in the Sultanate.

The workshop aimed at exploring areas of cooperation and study the plan for the establishing e-system and process to develop the capability and capacity of local companies through the industrial mapping tool to be formed in the Sultanate.

Through the establishment of a network linking local companies, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and international companies, on a single platform, there will be opportunities to enhance the local skills, capabilities and knowledge.

Local companies can register in the system under specific industries and areas of specialisation and enter as potential partners with the Obligors (international companies) that are committed to the Partnership for Development Programme during the PFD project implementation in the Sultanate.

This will create direct business partnerships between local and international companies, develop and strengthen “local capability and capacity” and reduce the proportion of external imports and domestic production ratio in line with the strategy of the national economy, as well as to facilitate local trade and the process of opening foreign markets for the export of local products.

Dr Dhafir al Shanfari, CEO of OAPFD, said: “The Direct PFD/ICV System is an important step towards the implementation of the E-Government Strategy through the Partnership for Development Programme.

Therefore, the importance of this system, helps in creating economic partnerships between the local industry and the world through companies committed through the PFD programme will definitely have an impact on the improvement of the national economy.

He added: “The advantage of this industry mapping system is that it will conduct a comprehensive survey of the Sultanate’s companies in industrial and free zones, SMEs and others, which will highlight the scope and capabilities of these companies and introduce the local companies to create partnerships with international companies in the same industry.

The project will analyse the domestic demands and imports, assess the local companies’ capabilities and work towards closing the gaps in the local capabilities and capacities through partnerships with international companies.

Thus, systematically enhancing the local companies’ execution capabilities within the industry and developing the local industry”. The Direct PFD/ICV System is one of the most important electronic systems that OAPFD is working on.

It seeks to strengthen the private sector by supporting investment initiatives, encouraging existing competitive companies and support the establishment of new joint venture companies among international companies.

The system is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2018.