Foundation stone laid for training centre in Sohar

Muscat: Indian textile manufacturers, S V Pittie group laid the foundation stone for its training centre in Sohar Free Zone on Thursday.
The event took place under the auspices of Sultan Salim Al Habsi, Deputy Chairman of the Board Of Governors, Central Bank of Oman.
The company’s Board of Directors, ministry officials, key stakeholders, senior management and staff were in attendance to celebrate the occasion at the site followed by an event at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Sohar.
SV PittieSohar Textiles LLC’s manufacturing facility, construction on which has already begun,is expected to be operational in March 2019. There is a hope that the training centre facility will create job opportunities for relevant skill-sets in the region.
The unit is being built with an investment of $300 million, on a 27 hectare area, SV Pittie’s plant will be equipped with 150,000 spindles and 2,400 rotors, and will provide nearly 1,500 job opportunities. Financed by Bank Sohar, the plant is targeted to be commissioned later this year. The imports of raw material — cotton will be from the US, Australia, Europe and Turkey through Sohar Port. It will produce finished yarn amounting to 6,000 tonnes annually, which will then be exported to textile markets such as China, Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh.
“We at S.V. Pittie, are delighted to break ground on our training centre for cotton-yarn manufacturing skills today, and usher in a new era of progress in manufacturing education in the Sultanate,” Chairman of the group, Vinod Pittie said.
“The training centre is a fine example of people coming together for the betterment of the community in particular, and the economy at large. I would like to thank all ministry officials, our key stakeholders and partners who have made it possible for us to reach our goals and break-ground on this wonderful project today. Their support has made this ground-breaking ceremony possible, and their help goes beyond the training center and plant,” he added.
“I’m delighted to see the various regulatory authorities, as well as the community come together to make this new addition in Oman. Together, we look forward to contributing to the economic development of the nation,” Pittie said.
Omanisation target
Vinod Pittie said that his company would honour the 15 per cent Omanisation rate, but would be happy to take on more citizens.
“Our preference would be to hire as many Omanis as possible. The centre would train 150 people in a month and a half. So, we hope to have at least 1,500 trained persons in a year or so,” he remarked.
Pittie group expects to utilise the necessary well-trained, skilled Omani personnel that will help the company’s manufacturing plant expand and generate new jobs. The training centre will be aided by initiatives and programs set up by government of Oman.
Pittie group hopes that establishment of this manufacturing unit will lead to downstream industries in the textile sector in the Sultanate.