Sezad move to boost SMEs

The decision will help bolster the role of SMEs and encourage these companies to benefit from opportunities offered by Sezad

MUSCAT: In a boost to the small industries sector, the Special Economic Zone Authority in Duqm (Sezad) announced a decision to establish the Partnership and Development Department.

It consists of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Small and Mid-sized Enterprises (SMEs) sections. Sezad’s decision reflects its keenness to promote the ethos of CSR and to encourage companies operating in Sezad to emphasise this side of business operations and to bolster the role of SMEs and encourage these companies to benefit from opportunities offered by Sezad.

According to the decision to establish the Partnership and Development Department, which was signed by Sezad Chairman Yehia bin Saed bin Abdullah Al Jabri, the department will establish a social corporate responsibility strategy and executive mechanisms in coordination with stakeholders in addition to meeting the requirements of government entities concerned with CSR, forging partnerships for growth, SMEs and efforts coordination.

According to the decision which became effective last week, the Partnership and Development Department will promote the social corporate culture of Sezad among all local society groups, establish programmes and initiatives to contribute in highlighting the importance of social partnership by all components of the local society in Duqm and the Al Wusta Governorate provinces.

It will also coordinate CSR efforts through functions, events, programmes and activities management at Sezad, establishing necessary mechanisms to strengthen government efforts aimed at boosting the contribution of SMEs in various economic activities in Sezad, in addition to setting the necessary executive plans and their financial requirements, including the unique identity of Sezad and managing Sezad’s programmes and initiatives in this field.

Social responsibility

According to the decision, the Social Responsibility Section will be in charge of all issues related to the establishment of domestic, regional and international partnerships to support joint inter corporate programmes, such as charity funds and societies and other non-government organisations (NGOs) and identifying key social issues and opportunities for social programmes and initia- tives, based on economic, social and environmental development.

The Social Responsibility Section will also coordinate all aspects of social responsibility programmes consistently with the visions and objectives of Sezad and encourage the implementation of innovative projects to boost levels of CSR in Sezad’s social sphere. According to the decision, the SMEs Department will work on establishing the appropriate social system to ensure the adoption and implementation of projects and partnerships in ambitious social initiatives and launching social initiatives for Sezad companies, with the aim of encouraging society to establish SMEs that improve economic performance and create job opportunities and coordinate with the single station to facilitate the registration of SMEs. The SMEs Department will also coordinate with various Sezad departments to implement all applicable government resolutions to help SMEs engage in operations, including the allocation of 10 per cent of government procurements to SMEs.

The SMEs Department will also be in charge of proposing executive mechanisms to boost benefits derived by SMEs from business opportunities offered by Sezad, whether in the private sector or government projects and will work on establishing necessary plans to develop the SMEs sector and propose appropriate development mechanisms.