Date: September 2, 2019
With a keenness to empower members and SMEs to enhance their contribution to the growth of the national economy, Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC) recently organised a ‘Tajribati’ session on ‘opportunities for SMEs in the Special Economic Zone of Duqm (SEZD)’ at Bait Al Zubair.
Hosting AbdulAziz Mohammed Al Hinai, Partnership and Development Manager responsible for CSR/SME and ICV, Special Economic Zone Authority at Duqm (SEZAD) as key speaker, the session highlighted the support provided to SMEs and start-ups in the Sultanate and shed light on what needs to take place to empower SMEs to have business endeavours at SEZD. The session moderated by writer and journalist Hamoud Ali Al Touqi, chief editor of Al Waha and Souq Al Mal magazines was attended by a large number of members of Zubair SEC and non-member owners of small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs.
AbdulAziz Mohammed Al Hinai, Partnership and Development Manager responsible for CSR/SME and ICV at SEZAD, explained at the session that SEZAD has several decisions and regulations in place that encourages maximum participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the development of projects within the Special Economic Zone of Duqum.
He said that the Partnership and Development Department was established to create an empowering business environment with the necessary infrastructure to ensure that SMEs get the opportunity to bid for assigned works and to grow and thrive. Affiliated to the department are a number of decisions that have given the department the opportunity to ensure this development by mandating the 10% of the value of all government contracts to be tendered to SMEs giving all an equal opportunity to bid for contracts especially to those SMEs that have a entrepreneurship card and are registered with SEZAD.
Al Hinai added that as per new regulations, contractors implementing projects in SEZD were required to advertise work opportunities for SMEs in daily newspapers; and as part of their continual improvement approach SEZAD has launched The SEZAD Tender portal for Contractors to release Tenders to SME’s through the Joint Supply Registration System (JSRS). In Coordination with the contractors PDD requests clear assigned works that could be distributed to SME’s at the start of each contract to ensure PDD recognises the potential opportunities that could be tendered to SME’s. SEZAD has also now put new measures in place to ensure that all its registered SMEs have access to tenders and subcontracting work undertaken by SEZAD and continuously encourages the Private sector to follow suit in its endeavours to support SMEs within the Zone.
Al Hinai praised the concept of ‘Tajribati’ session conducted regularly by Zubair SEC and said budding entrepreneurs are sure to benefit from the same and welcomes future representation from SEZAD on all areas that could support SMEs.
The session urged new entrepreneurs to take advantage of the available opportunities in SEZD and highlighted details about available projects and services at Duqm along with the potential opportunities they can offer to SMEs.
Hamoud Ali Al Touqi lauded and thanked Zubair SEC for choosing to conduct a discussion on the opportunities available to entrepreneurs and SME owners. He said, “because of such sessions SMEs will benefit from the projects under implementation in SEZD as mandated by the decisions of the SME Development Symposium held in Seeh Al Shamikhat in January 2013”.
Ali Shaker, Advisor – Business Development & Strategic Partnerships at Zubair SEC said, “Through engagement with SMEs, the session aimed to encourage them to participate in the overall development of the local economy and provide them an outline of requirements to start a business at the Special Economic Zone of Duqm in specific. The session witnessed an engaging interaction and participants raised relevant questions and enquiries about investment opportunities and how to get them. We would like to thank Mr Abdulaziz Al Hinai for giving members a keen understanding of how SMEs can seize available opportunities in Duqum; we’d also like to thank Hamoud Ali Al Touqi for an excellent moderation of the session which encouraged attendees to have a very transparent dialogue and benefit from the session.”
He added, “Zubair SEC has held several sessions over the past years, covering a variety of topics pertinent to SMEs. Given the importance of such topics, the Centre plans to hold similar sessions to keep building capacity and awareness of its members in all critical and relevant areas.”
Mahmoud Al Amri, member at Zubair SEC who attended the session said, “Zubair SEC’s organised ‘Tajribati’ session was a chance for us to understand how we can do business at SEZD. The session also equipped attendees with knowledge and understanding of how SEZAD supports SMEs. We would like to thank Zubair SEC and SEZAD for an interactive, informative and very engaging session.”
The ‘Tajribati’ series serves as a unique platform to connect industry experts with start-up owners and new entrepreneurs to exchange views, discuss common challenges and share best practices. The ‘Tajribati’ discussion series organised by Zubair SEC, a social responsibility initiative of The Zubair Corporation, is aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium enterprises through transparent dialogue, advocacy, and networking. The monthly Tajribati discussion sessions has been gaining very good momentum year on year. Members and non-members keenly await the session to share insight with their fellow entrepreneurs, discuss matters of concern, share knowledge and experience, and network in a friendly constructive atmosphere.