Occidental Oman awards contracts to four SMEs

Muscat: With the aim of supporting and promoting entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as one of the core elements of Occidental Oman In-Country Value (ICV) Strategy, four SMEs were awarded support agreements as part of Phase 4 of Occidental Oman’s SME Development Programme.
The SME Development Programme was established in 2013, and each Phase has awarded the selected SMEs support agreements to enhance the SMEs through development in various fields, and support capacity building of Omani-owned SMEs that demonstrate high potential for maximising ICV and creating jobs for Omanis.
Phase 4 of the programme was launched in 2018, inviting Omani SMEs to apply to the programme with a set of criteria. After detailed assessment, four SMEs were awarded support agreements: Desert Sand Oil and Gas, Oman Drilling Systems, Marjan Petroleum and United Petroleum Industries.
The signing ceremony to award the SMEs was held at the headquarters of Occidental Oman under the patronage of the Undersecretary of Ministry of Oil and Gas, Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi.
The support agreements were signed by Stephen Kelly, President and General Manager of Occidental Oman, and the representatives of the four companies: Ali Al Wahaeibi, Chairman of Desert Sand Oil & Gas; Munir Al Balushi, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Drilling Systems; Rashid Al Masfry Chief Executive Officer of Marjan Petroleum; and Abdulbaqi Al Kindi, General Manager of United Petroleum Industries. Abdulkarim Al Ghassani, Vice President of Supply Chain, and other senior executives of Occidental Oman were present at the ceremony.
This event continues Occidental Oman’s response to the Royal Directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to support the production of Omani goods and services locally, as well as the sustainable employment of Omani nationals. In addition to increasing the diversification of the economy, the program reaffirms Occidental Oman’s wide-ranging commitment in developing a competitive Omani supply chain.
“We are proud to enter Phase 4 of Occidental Oman’s SME Development Programme, as the programme has seen steady growth since its inception in 2013,” said Kelly.
“As Phase 4 commences, we are hopeful that the Program will encourage a pursuit of excellence in SME development, such that the awarded SMEs will be able to compete locally and internationally, as well as serve as essential sources for economic growth and job creation in the country.”
This programme falls under Occidental Oman’s umbrella of strategic partnerships and continuous collaboration with key stakeholders, and is part of Occidental Oman’s endeavour and long term commitment to support programs that enhance economic growth and sustainable development and that yield positive impacts in the neighbouring communities.