Tasweik registration for 2018 opens

Muscat: The Tasweik registration for 2018 has officially opened, offering 10 national applicants a chance to win OMR8,000 each to support their marketing and brand development.
Tasweik is a nationwide initiative designed to nurture and develop the small and medium enterprise (SME) community by providing Omani entrepreneurs with the means to build a successful business. A joint committee comprising representatives from the Oman Oil Marketing Company and Al Raffd Fund awards a total of OMR80,000 to 10 selected SMEs. Coupled with the funds, the entrepreneurs will also receive guidance on branding and marketing strategies aimed at helping their businesses expand organically.
Sultan Al Siyabi, one of the winners of the 2017 edition, recently attended the launch ceremony of Tasweik 2018 held under the patronage of Hamad bin Khamis Almri. Al Siyabi said he was extremely thrilled to win OMR8,000, which could take his business to the next level.
“As an entrepreneur, you always need to plan your budget for the whole year,” said Al Siyabi, who has been running an audit firm for the last four years. “But with this amount, I can confidently say that I don’t need to worry for the next two years.”
Speaking exclusively to the Times of Oman about his chances of winning, Al Siyabi said he was confident that his firm did well through the different stages of the process.
“I saw the possibility of winning when the firm first got selected, and I continued to become hopeful when we were called for an interview during which the requirements for running the business were defined to us,” said Al Siyabi. “Finally, the officials paid an inspection visit to the firm, where we left a really good impression on them.”
Registration is open until August 30, 2018, to SMEs already receiving funds from Al Raffd Fund without reaching the maximum funds cap of OMR100,000. Participants are required to meet the rating criteria and prove profitability over the past three months.
Al Raffd Fund CEO Tariq Al Farsi said the company will continue to seek partnership with various stakeholders to help develop Oman’s economy with the creation of new and diverse employment opportunities.
“It is a pleasure to partner with Oman Oil Marketing Company who are continuously supporting the SME sector in the Sultanate,” Al Farsi added. “This joint collaboration is a prime example to encourage the public and private sectors to join our efforts to develop this vital sector and empower Omani talent to continue developing the national economy.”