First batch of ICT firms complete incubation programme

Muscat: A celebration to mark the successful incubation of the first batch of seven information and communication technology (ICT) firms from Sas Centre for Entrepreneurship was conducted by the Information Technology Authority (ITA) on Tuesday.
The event was held under the patronage of Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, Minister of Commerce and Industry, in the presence of a number of officials and chief executive officers of government and private firms and ICT professionals.
Dr Salim bin Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, chief executive officer of ITA, said: “Today, we proudly celebrate the graduation of seven promising SMEs in the ICT field after passing the incubation period at the Sas Centre for Entrepreneurship, and their remarkable achievements as the overall revenues of the incubated companies reached OMR1.6 million gained over the last 3 years only.”
“The role and support of Sas Centre for Entrepreneurship will not end at this point and it will be committed to follow-up and monitor these SMEs even after graduation. They will also be able to benefit from all the continuous consultancy services and participate in the networking events, training courses and overseas training by Sas Centre for Entrepreneurship,” he added.
About Sas Centre for Entrepreneurship, Hassan Fida Al Lawati, acting director general of the Digital Society Development Division at ITA said; “Since its establishment in 2013, the centrehas received 190 application requests for incubation, 30 of which were selected to be incubated at the centre for the next 3 years and employed approximately 40 Omani youths up to date.
“We hope to see these SMEs grow in the Omani market and compete at a regional and international level, thereby boosting the ICT industry with innovative products, solutions and services produced and made in Oman,” he added.
After passing the evaluation panel to join Sas Centre for Entrepreneurship and overcoming many challenges over the 3 years, seven companies made it to this stage. These companies are Akkasa Production, Al Etijahat For Design, Global Computers, KI-Bros Productions, Quattro Technology, North Systems and United Muscat Business Solutions.
To foster an entrepreneurial spirit in the ICT sector in Oman, ITA established the Sas Centre for Entrepreneurship centre, which was inaugurated in March 2013, as the first specialized centre responsible for developing ICT industry in Oman, with the aim of attracting start-ups and ambitious youth in various areas of the IT sector by providing an appropriate environment for such projects to help them innovate, create and generate ideas.