MUSCAT: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion has signed a cooperation programme with the Omani Industrialists Association to simplify and accelerate professional accreditation procedures for workers in the industrial sector.
The agreement enables a range of the association’s services to be delivered through the Sanad Service Centres’ electronic portal, enhancing accessibility, efficiency and speed while reducing administrative complexity for beneficiaries.
The programme was signed by Eng Ghalib bin Said al Maamari, Under-Secretary for Commerce and Industry at the Ministry, and Maqbool bin Ali al Lawati, Vice Chairman of the Omani Industrialists Association.
Al Maamari said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to upgrade Sanad Service Centres and diversify their revenue streams, while strengthening their role as a key interface for public services. He noted that the programme stems from outcomes of the Sanad Service Centres Lab, which focuses on improving sustainability and service quality.
He added that the move supports implementation of the national industrial strategy by enhancing workforce efficiency and aligning services with sector requirements.
Al Lawati described the agreement as a practical model of public-private partnership, aimed at easing access to professional accreditation through simplified procedures and multiple service channels.
“This initiative will contribute to raising workforce efficiency and improving performance quality in line with national standards that ensure safe and sound professional practices,” he said.
He added that the programme will leverage the Industry Sector Skills Unit to align accreditation outcomes with labour market needs, develop skills standards based on international best practices, and design targeted training programmes. The unit will also support professional assessment and classification processes, ensuring a skilled workforce capable of enhancing industrial competitiveness.
Professional accreditation serves as a regulatory framework to verify workers’ qualifications and classify them according to national standards, ensuring competency and compliance with legal and safety requirements. The initiative is also expected to help regulate the labour market, improve productivity and curb unqualified practices.
By the first quarter of 2026, Sanad Service Centres were offering around 390 services through their electronic portal, reflecting their expanding role in supporting both government and private sector service delivery.
Following the signing, ministry officials met with representatives of the association to review key challenges facing industrialists and explore solutions to improve the business environment. Discussions focused on boosting competitiveness of Omani products in local and international markets.
The meeting also explored opportunities for joint initiatives in enhancing factory efficiency, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, strengthening local content, and promoting innovation and advanced technologies.
The association highlighted its ongoing role in supporting the sector through technical studies, training programmes and facilitating communication between investors and relevant entities.
Al Maamari reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to engaging directly with investors and incorporating their feedback into policy development, with the aim of increasing the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP. — ONA
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