Monday 09 / December / 2024
Muscat: Bank Muscat, the leading financial services provider in the Sultanate, in step with its vision 'To serve you better, everyday' and commitment to strengthening support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), celebrated the graduation of 40 entrepreneurs from its Al Wathbah SME Academy.
Two batches of entrepreneurs from Musandam and Buraimi completed the SME training programme to acquire internationally-accredited certification that will go a long way in helping them realise their entrepreneurial dreams.
The Al Wathbah Academy was launched by Bank Muscat as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to equip Omani entrepreneurs with business skills. The 8-month long training programme is conducted in collaboration with the Radiant Sail Foundation and successful trainees receive an internationally-recognised certificate from the US-based Project Management Institute (PMI). The two batches of entrepreneurs from Musandam and Buraimi completed their course successfully after training sessions were moved online in the early part of this year.
Abdullah Al-Alawi, owner of Al Reem International, which specialises in selling cars and offering financial and insurance advisory services, said that participants have benefitted a lot from its workshops and activities. He added that graduates were able to network and improve business connections amongst themselves and learn from experienced entrepreneurs as a result of the training programme. He thanked Bank Muscat for the excellent role that it plays in supporting and developing entrepreneurs, especially those from the SME space and women entrepreneurs. He said that the increased support from both public and private sector would reflect positively on SMEs and help them accomplish their role in supporting the National Economy.
Iman bint Saleh Al Salatiya, owner of the Zari Khasab Tourism Project, which specialises in hosting tourists coming to Khasab on cruise ships, by land and air, thanked Bank Muscat for organising the training as part of the bank’s CSR initiatives. She said that she along with many other participants in Musandam had been following the progress of this training in the media for a while and did not hesitate at all to register their interest when the bank launched the training programme in the governorate. She added that the programme has greatly enhanced her business skills and knowledge and help in the day-to-day running of the foundation. The programme has helped us become familiar with many topics related to marketing, management, finance and many other skills that we need to develop business. I wish all success to my fellow entrepreneurs and hope that Bank Muscat will continue to organise and support such programmes for the benefit of the SME sector.
Since the inauguration of the Al Wathbah Academy in 2014, training programmes have been organised across the Sultanate including Dhofar, Muscat, Batinah, Dhakhliyah and Sharqiyah. One of the most important successes of Bank Muscat is the continuous partnership with government agencies in promoting the concept of self-employment and entrepreneurship among the youth of Oman.
Over the past many years, the Al Wathbah Academy programme has enjoyed tremendous success in empowering a number of young entrepreneurs. Thanks to the bank’s support, a number of entrepreneurs have graduated from the SME Academy till date and are today, successfully contributing to the country’s progress and development.
