Plans to empower social security families

As part of its efforts to empower social security families, the Ministry of Social Development has signed an agreement with Zubair Small Enterprises Centre to support economic empowerment programs to rehabilitate social security families and to develop their skills, capabilities in the field of management and entrepreneurship, with the aim of raising the standard of living.

The agreement includes the design of specialised training programs. In addition, it seeks to help them build their own business by providing them with consultations in preparing a feasibility study including operational and financial plans. Marketing and incentive programs to promote their business and enhance its sustainability are also part of the program.

The cooperation agreement was signed on Tuesday between the Ministry of Social Development, represented by the department of Service of Family Development and the Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC). The agreement was signed by Sayyida Maani bint Abdullah al Busaidia, Director-General for family development, representing the ministry and Said Salim al Sahib, Director of Zubair SEC in the presence of Rashid Ahmed Shamsi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development, and Al Zubair Mohammad al Zubair, Vice-Chairman of the Zubair Corporation.

Following the signing of the agreement, Sayyida Maani Al Busaidia stated, “We always strive to enhance the cooperation between the public and private sectors to unify the efforts of both parties in serving the community. Today, we are delighted to enter into this agreement with Zubair SEC, an entity that has proven its presence during the past few years by supporting and empowering small businesses. This is aligned with the objectives of the Directorate General for Family Development, which is also keen to help families of social security and enable them to establish small businesses. This way, we can support their economic and social stability”.

“We look forward to establishing professional programs to qualify these families in the field of management and entrepreneurship during the upcoming period, in cooperation with experts from both sides. Moreover, we look forward to signing similar agreements with other institutions in the private sector to enhance this fruitful collaboration,” she added.

Said Salim Al Sahib said the center is prepared to put forth the expertise to support the development of small enterprises so that the objectives of this agreement can be met.

“We also look forward to ensuring that families of social security possess the necessary skills in the fields of entrepreneurship and the establishment and management of small businesses. The training program that the centre will develop, in conjunction with our partner, the Directorate General for Family Development, will contribute towards enhancing the capabilities of these families to achieve their economic independence. This is made possible by scaling them to establish their own business and develop it continuously and suitably, to raise their standard of living,” he explained.

When asked about the potential training areas, Adil al Hubaishi, Executive Manager of Zubair Small Enterprises Centre explained to Observer that the training program will be custom made looking into the capability and the area of their specialty.

“For example we will look through the skills and provide them with the assistance to take it to the next level to sustain themselves. Some families are in the farming area so our focus will be on what they are doing exactly. Maybe it is pickles then we look into how to develop their business for them. Most of the time individuals face problems in the area of marketing. They might have a fantastic product but they find it difficult to enter the market due to lack of branding and packaging,” Adil explained.

According to him, instead of working individually there could be an opportunity to work together as a society between them so they have a brand to work on.

“The Ministry will decide which are the concepts that could be taken up in addition to working on the existing programs,” he said.