Sunday 07 / September / 2025
Muscat: The Oman Future Fund, affiliated with the Oman Investment Authority (OIA), announced the launch of its lending portfolio for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This step reflects the Fund's strategic direction within the entrepreneurship support system and the integration of its roles with the national system for financing SMEs and startups.
The new financing option provides quick financial solutions, available within two weeks of submitting the application, and a flexible repayment plan that helps small and medium-sized business owners and those seeking financing solutions with easy lending procedures to cover their operational needs and grow steadily. It complements national efforts to enhance financing tools and expand access to financial resources for entrepreneurs.
It also aligns with the national objectives of Oman Vision 2040, which aims to build a competitive knowledge-based economy and provide a supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship. This will enhance the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises to economic growth and provide quality job opportunities for Omani youth.
This portfolio is operated by Beehive, the region's first platform specialising in financing solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) since 2014. Beehive is the first company entrusted with implementing this type of financing within the fund's framework. The company relies on an artificial intelligence tool to analyse the status of companies applying for financing.
Entrepreneurs, owners of small and medium enterprises, and startups can easily apply for financing through the Fund's website. Applications will be referred to specialised managers based on the type of financing. Beehive will evaluate the applications and implement the financing in cooperation with Bank Sohar, in line with the Fund's criteria and objectives of stimulating local economic growth.
Rashid bin Sultan Al Hashimi, Senior Director of the Oman Future Fund, said that the launch of the new lending portfolio in the Fund comes as an embodiment of the plans drawn up for the Fund upon announcing its establishment, and in response to the outcomes of the promotional tours carried out by the Fund in various governorates, and the numerous requests it has received through its electronic platform since its launch in early 2024, which revealed a widespread preference among entrepreneurs and project owners for financing through loans, so that this financing contributes to strengthening working capital to cover operating expenses such as salaries, rents and other recurring expenses.
He added that this qualitative step underscores the Fund's efforts to provide flexible financing solutions that respond to the needs of entrepreneurs and help enable their organisations to overcome operational challenges and accelerate their growth. This will enhance economic diversification efforts, support local content, and achieve local added value.
Peter Tavener, co-founder and chief financial officer of Beehive, said: “The partnership with the Oman Future Fund represents a significant strategic milestone for the company, which has been operating in the region for a decade. This partnership validates the company’s business model and strengthens its position as a trusted provider of non-banking financial services. With the support of the Oman Future Fund, the company is now well-equipped to meet the growing demand for financing small and medium enterprises and contribute further to driving sustainable economic growth in the Sultanate of Oman.”
It is noteworthy that the Oman Future Fund has signed 45 investment projects in targeted economic sectors by the end of December 2024, with a total value of OMR1.249 billion. This includes OMR885 million in foreign direct investment and OMR333 million in fund investments. These projects are distributed across ten targeted local sectors, contributing to the provision of more than 1,600 job opportunities, attracting more foreign investment, stimulating and diversifying the national economy, and providing business opportunities and growth for small and medium enterprises and startups.
