Youth Sada launched the fourth cycle of the Habbah Programme for SMEs development

Muscat: Youth Sada launched the fourth cycle of the Habbah programme to develop the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ad’Dhahirah governorate in partnership with bp Oman. The programme aims to develop local SMEs and home businesses through a series of training courses, consultations, field visits and tools with the support of experts in entrepreneurship. This year the programme will target 12 SMEs in the Ad’Dhahirah governorate.

The programme also offers a guidance pathway which includes virtual workshops for individuals interested in business with various topics such as self-employment, business contracts foundations, crowdfunding, electronic trading, investment rounds in start-up projects, future funds, national investment programme and export development (Nazdahir). The programme also provides a start-up pathway targeted at training individuals with business ideas in both Ad’Dhahirah and Ad’Dakhiliyah governorates.

Anwar Al Maqrashi, project manager of the Habbah programme, said: “Providing programmes such as this for local entrepreneurs contributes to enhancing their potential and skills. This will allow them to manage their projects better and work much more efficiently which in turn will feed into the economic growth of the region.”

Ibrahim Al Hinai, social investment manager at bp Oman, Kuwait and Qatar, commented: “At bp Oman, we are committed to empowering local capabilities through our various social investment initiatives. Throughout the last 3 cycles of this programme, we were able to influence positive changes within the community in Ad’Dhahirah governorate, benefitting over 2,600 young Omanis. By developing the SMEs in the governorate, they will be able to expand their business and allow the economy to flourish.”

This year Habbah programme will feature exclusive interviews, called Entrepreneurship Talks, which will host various entrepreneurs in Ad’Dhahirah governate to talk about their experiences and motivational stories. This talk series will showcase the previous cycles of the same programme by creating an open space for interesting discussions and topics, and also allow mutual partnerships to happen.