15 October 2012
MUSCAT -- Dutch Ambassador Stefan van Wersch received the group of young entrepreneurs of small and medium companies who recently returned from a working visit to the Netherlands. In the Netherlands the entrepreneurs were offered a diverse programme in the field of their current SMEs, namely the flowers, chocolate confectionery and packaging sectors.
The meeting at the Embassy was attended by Salah al Maawali, Director-General for SMEs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Batool al Mulaji, also of the Ministry. The visit was arranged by Nehem International and the Lutfia Rabbani Foundation Foundation, both based in the Netherlands. Last January, during the State Visit of Queen Beatrix, the Omani Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Dutch Minister of Economy, Agriculture and Innovation signed a Memorandum of Understanding on SMEs.
The ambassador praised the initiative of Ali al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry, on this visit and expressed satisfaction that co-operation between the two countries is now really taking off. He added: "In the Netherlands SMEs are the backbone of the economy: 99 per cent of companies are SMEs, and the sector is responsible for almost 70 per cent of total employment. This shows the enormous potential of the SME sector. Our co-operation is basically aimed at turning Omani SMEs into major employment generators. Having talked with these young entrepreneurs and having noticed their determination to become successful, I am certain that this aim is fully realizable in the Sultanate."
At the meeting an evaluation of the trip took place, showing that lots of both theoretical and practical knowledge had been collected through seminars, visits to many Dutch SME companies and universities, but also for instance excursions to the famous flower auction in Aalsmeer and to the Port of Rotterdam. The evaluation also showed the crucial importance of follow up.
The ambassador stated that the embassy will remain fully engaged and proposed a follow-up event on flower arranging by a famous Dutch flower arranger. The embassy also supports the plans of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for follow-up training and a possible Business Development Centre for SMEs in Oman.
MUSCAT -- Dutch Ambassador Stefan van Wersch received the group of young entrepreneurs of small and medium companies who recently returned from a working visit to the Netherlands. In the Netherlands the entrepreneurs were offered a diverse programme in the field of their current SMEs, namely the flowers, chocolate confectionery and packaging sectors.
The meeting at the Embassy was attended by Salah al Maawali, Director-General for SMEs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Batool al Mulaji, also of the Ministry. The visit was arranged by Nehem International and the Lutfia Rabbani Foundation Foundation, both based in the Netherlands. Last January, during the State Visit of Queen Beatrix, the Omani Minister of Commerce and Industry and the Dutch Minister of Economy, Agriculture and Innovation signed a Memorandum of Understanding on SMEs.
The ambassador praised the initiative of Ali al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry, on this visit and expressed satisfaction that co-operation between the two countries is now really taking off. He added: "In the Netherlands SMEs are the backbone of the economy: 99 per cent of companies are SMEs, and the sector is responsible for almost 70 per cent of total employment. This shows the enormous potential of the SME sector. Our co-operation is basically aimed at turning Omani SMEs into major employment generators. Having talked with these young entrepreneurs and having noticed their determination to become successful, I am certain that this aim is fully realizable in the Sultanate."
At the meeting an evaluation of the trip took place, showing that lots of both theoretical and practical knowledge had been collected through seminars, visits to many Dutch SME companies and universities, but also for instance excursions to the famous flower auction in Aalsmeer and to the Port of Rotterdam. The evaluation also showed the crucial importance of follow up.
The ambassador stated that the embassy will remain fully engaged and proposed a follow-up event on flower arranging by a famous Dutch flower arranger. The embassy also supports the plans of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for follow-up training and a possible Business Development Centre for SMEs in Oman.
© Oman Daily Observer 2012
