17 June 2015
With the aim of getting acquainted with the investment climate in the Sultanate and strengthening cooperation between the Sultanate of Oman and Kuwait in various fields, a delegation from Kuwait's Public Authority for Industry,visited yesterday (Tuesday) Oman's flagship Rusayl Industrial Estate, which is affiliated to the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE).

The delegation was briefed on PEIE,which was established in 1993, and manages today a line-up of industrial estates comprising Rusayl, Sohar, Raysut, Nizwa, Sur, Al Buraimi, Sumail, in addition to the Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM), Al Mazunah Free Zone and Ibri Logistics Area. The officials highlighted the vision of PEIE, which is to enhance the Sultanate's position as a leading regional centre of manufacturing, ICT, innovation and entrepreneurship excellence, and its mission in attracting industrial investments and providing continued support, through regionally and globally competitive strategies, good infrastructure, value adding services, and easy governmental processes.

They also familiarised themselves with the objectives of PEIE which include attracting foreign investments to the Sultanate and localising the national capital; contributing to stimulating the private sector to achieve sustainable economic and social development; strengthening relations with the concerned authorities to ensure the overflow of investment process and overcome any obstacles faced by investors; reinforcing cooperation with related international and regional organisations to boost the exchange of experience, knowledge and techniques used; developing employees' skills and performance through a set of training programmes; contributing to creating new job opportunities;encouraging exports and the establishment of export industries, and increase the market share of locally manufactured products; stimulating the economic sectors in the Sultanate including transport, tourism, banking, among others; and achieving environmental sustainability.

The officials also mentioned that PEIE manages a number of value-adding initiatives, which include Origin Oman Campaign, National Business Centre (NBC), Industrial Innovation Centre (IIC), Human Resources Development Centre, and Communication and Investor Services Centre.

On his part, Ahmed Al Hinai, Client Manager at Industrial Innovation Centre (IIC), highlighted the objectives of IIC which include assisting industrial progression through research and development, and building capacity by encouraging local academic institutions to engage in applied industrial R&D. The Industrial Innovation Centre was established in Rusayl Industrial Estate in 2009, parented by The Research Council (TRC) and the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates. The centre seeks at building an enriched knowledge culture within the industrial sector in the Sultanate through emphasising on benefits of collaboration with the research community including universities, labs, institutes, and science centres.

Subsequently, the delegates visited Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives (AVOD) which is based in Rusayl Industrial Estate. AVOD is a public limited company manufacturing and marketing top quality cooking oils, ghee, margarines, specialty fats and butter products.

-Ends-

© Press Release 2015