Date: December 5, 2016
With an objective to connect owners of small businesses with large companies, Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC) is all set to launch its new initiative, “Tajseer”, that aims at serving as a platform for business development. The word derives from the Arabic origin which means Bridging. The launching event will be held on 6 December 2016 at Bait Al Zubair in Muscat, to be followed directly by the first business development function.
Understanding that connections with large-size companies can be critical for small enterprises, Zubair SEC – a social responsibility initiative by The Zubair Corporation – decided to provide its members with opportunities to network with representatives and decision makers of large companies. Zubair SEC believes that while the market has firms of all sizes, there is a communication gap that needs to be bridged to achieve an optimal level of exchange and cooperation between large companies and small businesses. Zubair SEC believes the business development platform “Tajseer” can help owners of small businesses explore opportunities and access the resources they need to grow with their businesses and widen their client base.
To maintain efficiency, effectiveness and gauge competencies related to the industry, Zubair SEC will focus the pilot business development event on three sectors; Construction, Logistics, and Marketing Communications. The launch event will host selected Zubair SEC members from these sectors and invite identified large companies in the field. Zubair SEC members who have been groomed for pitching and presenting their businesses by Zubair SEC advisors ahead of the event will take part in the first Tajseer event.
The large companies participating at Tajseer are: Aramex, Douglas OHI, Ghantoot Transport & Gen. LLC, INMA, Khimji Infrastructure Group, L & T Oman, Oman Shapoorji (OSCO), Services & Trade, Strabag Construction, Truck Oman, WJ Towell Construction, and Zubair Furnishing.
Lina Hussein, Head of Communication & Social Impact at Zubair SEC said: “Zubair SEC’s support ecosystem is a dynamic one that evolves and develops based on the needs we identify in the SMEs sector. The current SME marketplace is a large boiling pot of many players, thousands of SMEs, few focused activities, and large market gaps. On the large companies’ side – especially those mandated to extend business opportunities to SMEs – many are facing difficulty in identifying the suitable capable SMEs to contract with. Recognising this challenge early on, The Zubair Corporation has affected a mandate across the Group companies to extend business contracts, whenever possible, to small enterprises commended and endorsed by Zubair SEC. So far a good number of business deals have been secured with companies within The Zubair Group, facilitated by Zubair SEC team of advisors”.
She added: “After noticing an increasing need by our members for assistance in business development and in introducing them to larger companies for business prospects, Zubair SEC decided to design and launch this flagship initiative”.
The main concept behind this initiative is to provide a solution for creating market access and instant connectivity. The effort will be orchestrated and facilitated by Zubair SEC who would also leverage The Zubair Corporation’s vast customer base and good connections.
Lina Hussein added: “We are very grateful to the large companies who have expressed interest in taking part in our first Tajseer business development event. They will be able to meet with small enterprises, members of Zubair SEC, to discuss potential business collaboration. We have worked thoroughly across the past two months to carefully identify the members to endorse and present to the large companies taking part at the event”.