In-Country Value agreement signed at SME symposium
Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has enhanced its support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by committing to develop and use four Omani businesses for electrical work across its operations.
The Company signed a year-long agreement today during the three-day SME symposium at Sultan Qaboos University to assess implementation of decisions taken at the major symposium at Seeh al Shamikhat, Bahla in 2013 to foster SME development.
Its Electrical Engineering Department has identified four Omani electrical companies - Sarmad International Co. LLC, Fleet International LLC, Mansoor Universal Projects, and Alshiba Oil & Gas Services - for potential growth.
The intention is for the firms to build up their capacity and capability by working with PDO's main contractors on low and high voltage projects under the direct supervision of the Company. These will include the construction and installation of overhead power lines, associated work in electricity sub-stations, and the installation of oil and gas equipment, such as small motors and circuit breakers.
PDO External Affairs Director Abdul-Amir Al Ajmi said: "The aim is to get these companies to the stage where they will be ready to compete independently and bid directly for work.
"This agreement is further evidence of how determined PDO is to support Omani businesses so more of the wealth generated in our sector stays in the Sultanate.
"Successful SMEs are the lifeblood of a modern economy and PDO is committed to helping their development wherever we can through our In-Country Value (ICV) and National Objectives strategies so they can reach a level where they can supply us with quality goods and services - and more jobs are created in the Sultanate."
PDO will offer contract management assistance to the four companies, gauge skills gaps and offer training where needed.
PDO's Head of Power Systems Operattions, Humaid Al Amri Humaid Al Amri said: "We are showing Omani companies we will do our best to create opportunities for them if there is a will on their part.
"We will give these four sub-contractors a real chance to succeed in the next year so they become an established part of our contracting community - and there are others waiting in the wings if they fall short of our expectations."
The latest ICV initiative follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (PASMED) to assist Omani entrepreneurs last September.
The agreement is aimed at strengthening co-operation and collaboration between the two sides on training, business advice and knowledge exchange to help SMEs operate more successfully.
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Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) is the major exploration and production company in the Sultanate. It accounts for about 70% of the country's crude-oil production and nearly all of its natural-gas supply. The Company is owned by the Government of Oman (which has a 60% interest), the Shell Group (which has a 34% interest), Total (which has a 4% interest) and Partex (which has a 2% interest). Gas fields and processing plants are operated by PDO exclusively on behalf of the Government.
For further information please contact the PDO External Affairs Directorate:
Dana Al Sarhani
Media Relations & Social Media Strategist
Tel: 2467 2858
E-mail: dana.ds.sarhani@pdo.co.om
© Press Release 2015
