PACI signs deal with Zubair SEC to support entrepreneurs

MUSCAT: With an objective to build the capacity of start-ups from the crafts industry, the Public Authority for Craft Industries (PACI) has signed a scope of collaboration with Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC) to extend support to entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The MoU was signed by Mohammed Mubarak al Hasani, Chief Communications Officer at The Zubair Corporation, and Zuwaina al Mahrouqi, Director of the Department of Crafts Entrepreneurship at PACI.

The collaboration aims to create opportunities for entrepreneurs in craft industries to grow and develop their businesses through market expansion and innovation. As per the framework of the collaboration, consultants from Zubair SEC will guide and mentor 12 entrepreneurs from the crafts industries to better manage, market and develop their projects. Zubair SEC will also help raise their production capacity by preparing strategic plans for the way forward.

Zubair SEC will address the challenges of four struggling projects by providing consultation and preparing a corrective implementation plans to revive the projects.

Further, Zubair SEC will facilitate a feasibility study for four pilot projects related to the crafts industry.

Zubair SEC will also help prepare with financing, marketing and consultancy plans for the expansion of four other pilot craft projects.

Through this collaboration, Zubair SEC aims to support small entrepreneurs in crafts industries and convert their businesses into successful projects that can highlight traditional Omani crafts in an innovative way and promote craft industries in line with the plans of PACI.

Speaking about the collaboration Al Hasani said, “PACI aims to safeguard, promote and develop Oman’s craft heritage and ensure the craft industries continue to thrive and attract new generations of artisans and entrepreneurs. To help fulfil this mission Zubair SEC through the expertise of its consultants will help entrepreneurs from the crafts industries to develop their creative, business and leadership capabilities to run their project successfully. This promising collaboration marks yet another important milestone for Zubair SEC’s efforts to offer business development opportunities for crafts entrepreneurs in Oman.”