Leading Omani companies launch platform for budding entrepreneurs
OM.HUB is designed to provide the entrepreneurs with an ideal environment and support to develop their ideas into successful ventures.
MUSCAT: The National Business Centre (NBC) in cooperation with Oman Oil Company (OOC), Oman India Fertilizer Company (Omifco) and Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) launched OM.HUB, the entrepreneurial platform at NBC in Knowledge Oasis Muscat, under the patronage of Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry.
The inaugural ceremony also witnessed the signing agreement of a cooperation programme be- tween the four partners to manage and operate the entrepreneurship platform – OM.HUB. The platform aims to assist small and medium-size enterprises (SME’s) by creating a fully-equipped centre that helps in the creation and flourishing of entrepreneurs, from the start of an idea, to a fully established company.
In addition, the centre also hosts companies that are already established acting as a hub of support and growth.
Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, chief executive officer of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), said that the OM.HUB stands at 456 square meters and is divided into a joint work area that can host 28 candidates and an open gathering area.
“OM.HUB is designed to provide the entrepreneurs with an apt environment that can merge lively and inspiring atmosphere in one of the most motivating spaces for the thriving of entrepreneurship and businesses in the Sultanate,” Al Hasani pointed out.
Ideal location
“The location of OM.HUB in KOM makes it close to NBC incubator, ITA’s SAS incubator, Oman Investment Fund’s accelerator programme, two colleges, in addition to Sultan Qaboos University. Hence, the platform’s location will enhance collaboration and partnership between these bodies to support the scene of entrepreneurship in the Sultanate,” he added.
Eng. Isam bin Saud Al Zadjali, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Oil Company, noted that his company always strives to achieve the principle of partnership between the public and private sectors in its various operations and activities. The project is part of this strategy to support entrepreneurship in Oman, as well as encourage the young generation to enter the world of entrepreneurship, this would in return contribute to the advancement of our national economy.
“OOC strives to encourage young entrepreneurs to play an effective role in creating a diversified economy, based on knowledge and innovation,” Al Zadjali said, adding; “Recognised as the first of its kind in the Sultanate, OM.HUB is well suited to the needs of entrepreneurs, as it is designed to turn crystallising ideas into a growing business.”
Self-employment
“We are proud to work together with our partners to establish OMHUB platform, which aims at supporting entrepreneurs and to be an innovation incubator that will contribute in feeding the market with new products and services and support the efforts being made to provide more jobs and self-employment opportunities for Omani youth,” said Talal Al Mamari, CEO of Omantel. “Our participation in establishing this platform is part of Omantel’s initiatives in supporting SMEs, Omani youth and efforts to diversify national economy,” Al Mamari added.
Al Mamari added that Omantel’s commitment in promoting the SME sector is due to the important the sector plays in supporting efforts of national economy diversification and providing more job opportunities. OM.HUB will host the launch and implementation of the business development programme supported by Omani Fertiliser Company. The success and sustainability of any entrepreneurship programme requires a partnership between various sectors. Therefore, working with partners such as OOC, Omantel and Omifco towards achieving a mutual goal will eventually maximise the value added seen in the objectives of such platforms.