Omani talent takes first step into entrepreneurship

Muscat: Shell Intilaaqah’s evolved edition ‘Aspire and Inspire’, concluded its first training cycle of the year, the Bright Ideas Workshop.
Implemented in collaboration with the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada), the workshop saw the participation of over 70 aspiring entrepreneurs from Muscat, Sohar, Nizwa and Salalah.
Designed to introduce Omani youth to entrepreneurship through the real world experience of starting their own business, participants received completion certificates.
Presenting the certificates to the Muscat participants was Dr. Ahmed Al Ghassani, CEO of Riyada and Najwa Al Kindi, Director of Shell Intilaaqah Oman.
The Bright Ideas Workshop included participants who have a business idea or have recently set-up a business, or are intending to develop an existing one. A team of qualified experts helped participants acquire the skillset to formulate and develop their business ideas in order to transform them into reality.
Al Mutajaredah Al-Manthari, Director of Mentorship and Training Department at Riyada said, “The ‘Aspire and Inspire’ programme is in line with Riyada’s mandate of strengthening the contribution of small and medium enterprises ‘SMEs’ to enhance their knowledge. It offers Omani talent the opportunity to learn life skills needed to be successful businessmen and women. It is our responsibility to help participants gain exposure and improve their experience levels in order to leverage new possibilities for their future as business owners.”
The first phase of the ‘Inspire and Aspire’ programme is an interactive 2-day exercise that empowers entrepreneurs to think, brainstorm and create new, implementable, and innovative business ideas. Key components of the workshop are tools to develop ideas, training on pitching and evaluating feasibility as well as viability of business implementation in the market.
Najwa Mansoor Al Kindi, Director of Shell Intilaaqah said, “Aspiring entrepreneurs look for opportunities to kick–start their journey. Their goals might differ, some are looking for financial success, some for personal accomplishment and others to fulfill needed businesses in their communities, but all of them have one thing in common, passion. Our evolved edition ‘Aspire and Inspire’ is built on nurturing their passion, providing them with necessary skill sets and knowledge to succeed in the real world.”
Shell Intilaaqah’s ‘Aspire and Inspire’ edition is jointly implemented by Shell Development Oman (SDO) and the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada). Both parties have renewed this collaboration in 2018 to continue supporting entrepreneurs in various areas; including training, mentoring and counselling for an additional three years.