Sayyid Bilarab chairs 2nd meeting of Omani start-ups programme’s Supervisory Committee

Muscat: HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said, Honorary President of the Programme for Promising Omani Start-ups, today chaired the second meeting of the Supervisory Committee of the programme for the year 2023.

The programme aims at activating the system of companies whose core structure is based on technology and innovation in Oman.

The programme also focuses on the dissemination of the culture of start-ups in educational institutions, enhancing community awareness of their importance and upgrading Omani start-ups to the regional and global standards.

During its meeting, the Committee discussed a number of topics on its agenda, including the progress made in implementing the decisions of the first meeting of the Supervisory Committee.

It also studied the progress made in pursuing initiatives of the programme within the themes of capacity building for start-ups, notably school education initiatives that cover the development of a syllabus on start-ups, implementing start-up ideas camps and devising a smart educational game on start-ups.

The meeting also focused on university education initiatives that envisage the preparation of an educational material about start-ups and the implementation of camps and competitions targeting university and college students.

The committee reviewed an orientation programme initiative mandated to support projects and start-ups in the initial stages, initiatives of start-ups owners and entrepreneurs and relevant innovative ideas.

These include inputs by parties interested in the implementation of national hackathons and interactive education virtual courses for start-ups that are conducted by the Digital Entrepreneurship Academy.

This is in addition to an initiative to spread the culture of start-ups by drafting of a guide for start-ups in Oman, an audio podcast for start-ups and an initiative on the “Leadership and Growth Programme” targeting owners of the fastest growing Omani start-ups.

The meeting also included an introductory presentation on “INJAZ Oman” establishment and its contribution to the development of student start-ups and the evolution of the entrepreneurship sector.

The committee also followed up the progress made in implementing a study on of emerging companies (start-ups) that focus on innovation and technology. The overall objective is to identify challenges and come up with effective policies and programmes that could bolster the growth of nascent firms and enhance their economic impact.