Zubair SEC’s Direct Support Programme receives overwhelming response

Muscat: Applicants have responded positively to the fifth round of Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC)’s Direct Support Programme.
Since the announcing of the new round of the programme in October 2017, Zubair SEC has received an enthusiastic response from interested applicants from across the Sultanate. A roadshow organised across several governorates of Oman to promote the Direct Support Programme also received a positive response from interested entrepreneurs.
Lina Hussein, head of Communication & Social Impact at Zubair SEC said, “Every year we witness a noticeable interest in the Direct Support Programme by owners of small businesses and entrepreneurs. Several stakeholders from the public and private sectors have appreciated our efforts to support SMEs progress with their businesses and help them overcome some of the key challenges they are likely to face.”
She added, “We understand the SME sector is an important pillar of Oman’s economy and the Direct Support Programme has been supporting to build a strong core of local talents for sustainable business growth. Over the last five years, the Direct Support Programme has been offering significant services to its enrolled members and demonstrating a proven track record of socio-economic impact achieved through its various facets of support.”
The last date to submit applications to enrol in the programme was 14 December 2017. During its past four rounds, the Direct Support Programme signed up 38 winners. Ten new winners will be announced in February 2018 after the applications go through a multiple-stage evaluation.
During the past few months, Zubair SEC organised orientation sessions at its premises and roadshows across a number of governorates in the Sultanate to publicise and elaborate on the Direct Support Programme to Omani entrepreneurs and owners of small businesses. The roadshow was arranged by Zubair SEC in close collaboration with the Public Authority for SME Development (Riyada) for Salalah and Sohar; the National Career Guidance Centre for Nizwa roadshow, and with local youth community (Fursah) under the umbrella of Al Nahda Sports Club in Bureimi.
Zubair SEC also used the roadshow as a networking platform to identify issues that young Omanis may have. The Centre’s advisers imparted information on the process to follow while applying for the Direct Support Programme. The participants were briefed on the selection criteria and the role of winners and function of the Zubair SEC team. The sessions also deliberated on the journey of the previous winners of the programme. The team also shared information on how to best reach out to Zubair SEC’s services through the various communication channels available.
Lina Hussein concluded, “We have connected with interested applicants in various wilayats across the Sultanate and are pleased with the outcome. We are looking forward to the shortlisted applicants as they would all be adding value to the SME ecosystem, regardless of whether or not they make it to the last 10; we would be offering our services and support to all members alike and explore various growth opportunities to those who demonstrate promising potential and endeavour.”
Zubair SEC’s Direct Support Programme rewards members who prove their commitment towards success and dedication in applying the consultancy and advice provided to them by the Zubair SEC team. The members’ projects and businesses should reflect strategic planning and accurate feasibility studies that echo their owners’ eagerness to apply best business administration measures with the assistance of Zubair SEC.
Winners of the Direct Support Programme receive additional direct advisory and consultancy services as well as a financial grant to support their businesses. Although all members of Zubair SEC benefit from advisory and training services, financial facilitation, and support that the centre and its network of cooperative partners provide, only 10 members get selected every year for the Direct Support Programme. The objective of this is to create positive competition amongst members and to encourage them to work harder and be more committed and dedicated to achieving their objectives and ambitions.
Zubair SEC’s Direct Support Programme is considered one of the most important programmes in the field of entrepreneurship support in the Sultanate. The programme aims at creating a spirit of positive competition between Zubair SEC’s members to enrol in the programme, and thus earn a package of essential services to launch and maintain successful and sustainable businesses through set working plans implemented in cooperation between the Centre and the programme members.