MUSCAT: The Ministry of Energy and Minerals, in cooperation with its partners, is working to implement several projects aimed at enhancing local content, which is key to driving the sustainable development of the Omani economy.
Dr Ali bin Salem Al Rajhi, Director General of Planning, pointed out that the Ministry is currently working on a number of programmes and projects to enhance local content in line with the National Policy for Local Content, which was approved by the Council of Ministers in March 2023. In addition to a review of the current strategy, a new identity for local content (Majd) has been unveiled, while a Local Content Certification project has been initiated as well.
To enhance local content in the minerals sector, the ministry has worked to implement specialized training programmes to develop the skills and competencies of national cadres, in addition to developing job opportunities, qualification and training in the sector. SMEs operating in the Oil & Gas sector have also growth 16 per cent as of the second quarter of this year, underscoring support extended to small businesses.
Meanwhile, Omanisation in operating companies reached 92 percent, while for contracting companies, the ministry is currently targeting 130 jobs to quickly raise the Omanisation rates in the sector, up from 69 per cent presently.
Additionally, the Ministry, in cooperation with the Oman 2040 Vision Implementation Follow-up Unit, helped supervise the National System Readiness Laboratory to support the green hydrogen sector. It was organised by Hydrogen Oman Company (Hydrom). The laboratory seeks to enhance local value and maximize local investments in supporting sectors, such as the logistics sector, the workforce, and contractors.
According to Dr Al Rajhi, the Ministry also supported the development of several projects in the field of non-metals production, notably the Pottery Innovation Unit project, the Omani Sarooj Factory project, and an initiative to develop a cement mixture for 3D printers.
He pointed out that Oman abounds with metallic mineral ores such as: copper, chromium, iron ore and manganese, in addition to industrial ores such as marble, limestone, gypsum, silica and others. These resources have created enormous opportunities to support the national economy.
The Ministry has also developed a social responsibility strategy in the oil and gas sector. This strategy enables operators and contractors to coordinate their social investments in a way that ensures the promotion of the concepts of sustainability and community service. The Ministry has worked to develop the general framework for social responsibility and study the projects submitted by various parties to ensure the selection of the most appropriate ones. — ONA
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