Muscat: The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) and the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates ‘Madayn’ have launched the fourth edition of the ‘Equal National Opportunities’ Initiative. This effort is part of ongoing activities aimed at supporting Omani projects and products, encouraging entrepreneurs and business owners, and fostering a supportive environment for local industries.
According to Oman News Agency, Dr. Ayman Abdullah Al Fudhaili, CEO of the Industrial Innovation Academy, emphasized Madayn’s strategic approach in empowering SMEs through the Academy’s support. The Academy has been instrumental in delivering technical support, capacity-building programs, and connecting SMEs to industrial partnerships and investment opportunities, thereby enhancing their sustainability and competitiveness. Al Fudhaili noted that the market value of some SMEs benefiting from the Academy’s initiatives is now estimated in the millions of Rials, indicating the significant impact of t
his support on their growth and expansion in local and international markets.
Al Fudhaili elaborated on the Academy’s initiatives, including ‘Makers Oman’, which provides diagnostics, guidance, consultancy, and prototyping services to small factories, and ‘Intaj Suhar’, which offers R and D and manufacturing services, reverse engineering, precision components manufacturing, mould manufacturing, and spare parts production for industrial companies.
Another key initiative is the ‘Business Accelerator’, launched by the Rising Omani Startups Programme in partnership with Madayn and the Industrial Innovation Academy. This program aims to empower innovative entrepreneurs by establishing startups and connecting them to business and investment opportunities at local, regional, and global levels.
The Academy is also implementing training programs to equip national talents with technical and vocational skills in various fields, such as plastic machinery operation, legal specializations, traditional ship model craftin
g, entrepreneurship development, and AI applications.
Furthermore, Al Fudhaili highlighted the identification of high-potential investment opportunities for SMEs within Madayn’s industrial cities. These opportunities are focused on essential support services like maintenance and cleaning, financial and legal services, insurance, public relations, packaging, marketing, and certification, which are in constant demand by existing factories. The total estimated value of these services exceeds RO 6.7 million, based on the projected needs of 200 factories, representing a strategic opportunity to integrate SMEs into industrial supply chains and enhance their contribution to the national economy.
Several agreements were signed during the event between SMEs and key bodies. Madayn signed contracts with Mahmood Stationery and Tuful Travel, Arabian Gate Expo partnered with Al Harthy Modern Business, and Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives signed an agreement with Morpho Company, facilitating the provision of goods and
services to their respective partners.
The National Equal Opportunities Initiative aligns with the Sultanate of Oman’s vision to empower entrepreneurs by creating a supportive ecosystem for SMEs, thereby supporting local industries as a cornerstone of the national economy and contributing to Oman Vision 2040. This initiative promotes economic diversification, enhances local content, and fosters a globally competitive and sustainable economy.
The event was attended by Sheikh Dr. Ali Masoud Al Sunaidy, Chairman of OPAZ, and senior officials.