Date: September 4, 2013
The Zubair Small Enterprises Centre recently signed a memorandum of understanding with INJAZ Oman at The Zubair Corporation headquarters in Azaiba. The agreement, signed in the presence of The Zubair Corporation’s Managing Director, Khalid Al Zubair, sets the basis for a program to support young Omani entrepreneurs and help develop their business ideas. The objective is to nurture the development of fledgling private sector enterprises and strengthen their role in further diversifying the economy and sustaining the nation.
Commenting on the importance of the agreement, Mr C S Badrinath, Chief Executive Officer, The Zubair Corporation said, “INJAZ Oman is one of the major institutions when it comes to youth development, especially among students who are striving to learn new skills and help them get ready to join the job market or start their own businesses. INJAZ Oman takes under its wings aspiring young Omani entrepreneurs from within
academic institutions, and allows them to add their knowledge and skills as they study – meaning they enter the market as well trained and qualified people. The integral role that the Zubair SEC plays is to connect their training and education with the support provided by the Centre and allow them achieve their entrepreneurial goals and fulfill their ambitions.”
Recognising The Zubair Corporation’s strong drive for social responsibility and to help bring about success for the burgeoning SME sector in the Sultanate, the agreement serves to boost the establishment phase of small businesses, and to nurture the presence of small businesses in society, especially among young people. The role played by INJAZ Oman in the partnership will significantly enhance outcomes for aspiring young Omani business people and entrepreneurs.
Founded in 2006, INJAZ Oman is part of the international Junior Achievement (JA) non-profit, non-governmental organization that was established in 1919, reaching out to more than 100 million youths in 123 countries across the world. INJAZ Oman runs programs to support education in the private sector in the field of education in schools, universities and training centers to the age group between 14 and 25.
The Zubair Small Enterprises Centre was established with the objective of assisting entrepreneurs in the early phases of their business growth, by providing them with essential training sessions and practical workshops. The aim is to prepare the next generation of businessmen and entrepreneurs by equipping them with the confidence and essential qualifications to reach their goals, therefore playing a significant role in shaping the future of the nation.
This program aims to sharpen young people’s skills and capabilities, enhance their creative and leadership skills, and prepare them with training and education to enable them to step into the market with confidence. The training sessions and practical workshops provided by INJAZ Oman are administered by private sector leaders who have years of professional and practical experience and success secrets to share.
The Zubair Small Enterprises Centre core mission is to achieve The Zubair Corporation’s vision of positively contributing to the Omani national economy, and to put the values of corporate social responsibility into practice, translating that into channeling the energy and the efforts of the youth towards achieving sustainable development for their initiatives and visions.
The essential goal for both parties is to nurture and support small businesses, and the cooperation between Zubair Corporation and INJAZ Oman is the logical next step. INJAZ Oman promotes entrepreneurial ideas within educational institutions while The Zubair Small Enterprises Centre takes over when young Omani’s finish their studies and are ready to enter the market.
C S Badrinath, added that “The main objective of the Centre is to act as an incubator to young entrepreneurs when they graduate and provide different options to take their sustainable ideas and turn those ideas into pioneering national projects. Additionally, when entrepreneurs become members of Zubair SEC they get access to the significant services provided by the centre, which include guidance and counseling in the business and investment field. They also benefit from the training and educational workshops provided by the centre.”
Shabib Al-Maamari, CEO of Injaz Oman said “We would like to thank The Zubair Small Enterprises Centre for giving the opportunity to young entrepreneurs to show their potential in running their small enterprises, and for incubating companies from Sharikati program. We aspire to create an integral business environment where initial ideas of products and services can be turned into standing projects. The association with the Zubair SEC is the first step towards creating such environment.”
The agreement between Zubair SEC and INJAZ Oman is seen as a significant commitment towards supporting young Omani entrepreneurs, enabling the private sector to play its role and actively contribute in the development of the country.