Innovation centre’s new training target

“When we speak of innovation, the important element is human. We need to guide people in executing the idea.”

“We always encourage our staff to be creative that helps the investor. One such creative solution is Investeasy. All work was done manually earlier and it was time-consuming. Today it is online and it is easy. Within minutes, people are able to register their companies,” he said.

People can register through the portal, through sanad offices or legal offices for a licenc---e. More than 80 services are online.

“Statistics indicate only 20 per cent of work requires people to come to the ministry. Everything else is online.”

Licensing also requires links with other ministries such as Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of Manpower and Royal Oman Police.

“These entities will be joining the portal. Through this portal, investors can get direct answers from the ministry. Six ministries are connected and others will be connected within this year and the following year,” said Al Dheeb.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has eliminated lot of procedures, he said in regard to small and medium enterprises (SMES). “We have a record of a company registering in less than two minutes.”

“In terms of guiding SMES, Riyada plays the role of showing them the right way in addition to the facility of Rafd Fund. We also have three incubators — one belonging to Riyada, National Business Centre with PEIE and the third incubator in the IT sector under Information Technology Authority.”

These incubators provide not only offices but also financial/marketing advice.