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Muscat - Tanfeedh’s initiatives and projects are expected to create 30,000 new jobs for Omanis in different sectors by 2020, according to Talal al Rahbi, the programme’s general coordinator. According to an estimate, Tanfeedh’s projects are likely to attract RO16.5bn as investments - RO14bn from the private sector and RO2.5bn from the government sector.
At the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday, Tanfeedh showcased five major sectoral initiatives on the first day of a three-day event as part of the final results of its ‘Labs’ programme. The six-week ‘Labs’ programme saw participants develop focused initiatives and programmes with clear budgets and roadmaps for delivery.
The five projects are the result of dedicating over 51,000 man hours to examine three main sectors (manufacturing, logistics and tourism) as well as two economic enablers (finance and employment). As many as 121 initiatives and programmes were unveiled under these five heads with the participation of 250 people from 160 different government and private institutions.
Speaking to Muscat Daily, Rahbi said, “This is the third of the eight phase programme. It is very important because it showcases the results of people’s work over six weeks. It is non-governmental and yet it has seen national participation. We have electronic surveys that enable citizens to participate with their ideas and comments on how to help develop programmes for the future.” As per Tanfeedh’s estimates, the manufacturing sector will see 21 projects attracting RO10.5bn as investments while creating 13,000 jobs. This sector has emerged as a major contributor to the GDP at RO2.6bn in 2015 and is estimated to reach RO3.5bn by 2020.
New investments in renewable energy projects will lead to ten per cent of the total power produced in Oman from renewable sources like solar (2,500MW) and wind (500MW) energy by 2025.
The tourism sector, which will likely see 2.7mn tourists by 2020, is expected to attract investments worth RO1.8bn and create an additional 10,000 jobs with Omanisation reaching 44 per cent. The logistics sector is similarly expected to contribute RO4.2bn and create 7,000 jobs by 2020.
© Muscat Daily 2016
