Date: February 14, 2016
Facilitated by Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC), Centre’s member Muaawana and Zubair Corporation’s Real Estate Company INMA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to engage in co-operation in the field of facility maintenance services.
INMA is an Oman-based real estate development, investment and asset management company with international aspirations. Muaawana is a small enterprise established by Ali Said Abdullah Al Rashdi, member of Zubair SEC, who has also been recently announced one of the winners of Zubair SEC’s Direct Support Programme for 2016.
The MoU signing was facilitated by Zubair SEC, the social responsibility initiative of The Zubair Corporation, as part of its policy to support entrepreneurs and owners of small businesses and explore possible business development opportunities for them. The MoU was signed between Ali Said Abdullah Al Rashdi, owner of Muaawana, and Jose Lora, Chief Operating Officer for Zubair Real Estate (INMA), attended by executives from The Zubair Corporation.
Muaawana specialises in providing high quality maintenance services for different facilities including residential and commercial buildings. Working with a proactive approach, Muaawana is known for its prompt response. The company uses its fleet of vehicles to reach clients’ premises upon request.
As per the signed agreement, Muaawana will provide maintenance services to residential buildings of INMA in Muscat. Among the projects that Muaawana will deliver services to is the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa’s staff accommodation located at Wadi Al Kabir where approximately 1,500 staff reside. Muaawana will provide maintenance services in areas such as civil, plumbing, electrical and minor carpentry works in the two blocks consisting of six floors and also at the facility building. They will be working under the supervision of INMA, which is the contract holder for this agreement. The scope of the agreement will be increased throughout the next year, it was revealed.
Jose Lora, Chief Operating Officer, INMA said, “It is an important day for INMA as we ‘Give it Forward’ by signing with Muaawana. SMEs grow and flourish by acquiring contracts that have the potential to elevate their future. Our strategy is to accelerate the growth and development of Oman’s private sector by building successful collaborations between INMA and local SMEs.”
Expressing his appreciation, Ali Shaker, Business Advisor, Zubair SEC, said, “We are grateful to INMA for showing confidence in a Zubair SEC member. We laud their commitment to entrepreneurship and support for smart business ideas like Muaawana. At Zubair SEC we believe that entrepreneurship is the backbone of every thriving economy. Through our programmes we have been helping budding entrepreneurs reach great heights by equipping them to persevere in the face of daunting challenges. We inspire our members by creating conducive atmosphere for them to operate and excel. We are happy to have facilitated this signing of agreement between INMA and Muaawana.”
Thanking INMA and Zubair SEC, Ali Said Abdullah Al Rashdi, owner of Muaawana said, “The signing of this MoU is very important for Muaawana. Showing this kind of support and confidence is vital for startups. We would like to assure INMA that client satisfaction will remain our top priority. Through this partnership, Muaawana hopes to make a mark in the facility maintenance service sector. We thank Zubair SEC’s efforts to unlock the growth potential of SMEs in Oman and training us to gain a competitive advantage.”
Zubair SEC has facilitated similar business development opportunities for its members in the past. It strongly believes that the support of large organisations to SMEs, mainly through business development and contract opportunities, is of utmost importance to the development and success of the SME sector.
Previously known as Zubair Real Estate & Hospitality, INMA is now an independent group within The Zubair Corporation. The multicultural leadership team at INMA has many years of international experience in the development of corporate real estate strategies, real estate consultancy, management & investment and asset management.