Third Entrepreneurship Forum to boost innovation

AL DUQM: The third Entrepreneurship Forum in Al Wusta Governorate will be launched on Monday in Al Duqm under the slogan 'Al Wusta Innovates', serving as a key platform to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.
The opening ceremony will be sponsored by Shaikh Dr Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ).
The forum will begin with two dialogue sessions highlighting the role of institutions that support innovation and entrepreneurship.
The first session, 'Entities and Institutions Supporting Innovation in Promising Sectors', will cover incubation methods, business accelerators and the role of national institutions in fostering innovation within priority economic sectors.
The second session, 'Funded and Enabling Institutions for Entrepreneurship', will focus on funding mechanisms, empowerment initiatives, successful models for supporting entrepreneurs and SMEs, and modern investment tools for building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.
On the first day, participants will also take a field visit to several projects in the Duqm Special Economic Zone, providing insight into the infrastructure and experiences designed to support innovation and investment projects.
The second day will feature the innovative 'Idethon' event, where 10 youth teams from across the Central Governorate will work to transform entrepreneurial ideas into scalable business models, fostering a culture of innovation and motivating young people to pursue new entrepreneurial paths.
Dr Salem bin Sulayem al Junaibi, Board Member and Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry branch in Al Wusta Governorate, said the forum aims to enhance the economic position of the governorate while highlighting the creativity and potential of its youth.
He added that the Chamber’s branch is building an integrated innovation system connecting investors, supporting institutions and government agencies, creating an attractive environment for quality project growth.
“Duqm is a national model ready for innovation and entrepreneurship, and this forum enables young people to be active partners in driving sustainable economic transformation,” Dr Al Junaibi said. - ONA