Riyada and Shell launch revamped Shell Intilaaqah Programme
Sep 04, 2016
Shell launched the revamped Shell Intilaaqah programme in Oman at the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Riyada).
4 September 2016 – MUSCAT, Oman - Following its fifth Gift to The Nation announcement earlier this year, Shell launched the revamped Shell Intilaaqah programme in Oman at the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Riyada). The launch ceremony was held at the headquarters of Riyada and was attended by His Excellency Dr. Hamoud bin Khalfan Al Harthy, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education and Curricula and Riyada board member. The launch was also attended by top executives from relevant public and private sector organisations and top executives from Shell and Riyada.
The launch programme included signing a ground-breaking collaboration agreement between Shell Intilaaqah and Riyada to better support young Omani entrepreneurs in various areas; including training, mentoring and counselling. The agreement was signed by Khalifa bin Said Al Abri, Riyada CEO, and Chris Breeze, Shell’s Country Chairman in Oman.
Based on this agreement, both parties will collaborate to provide training programmes in addition to providing mentoring and counselling services to the Omani entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) who are between the age of 20 and 55 years old, by supporting them in starting their own business and helping them in their growth and development.
Commenting on this agreement, Khalifa bin Said Al Abri, Riyada CEO stated, "We would like to thank Shell for this national initiative and the true partnership with Riyada through this programme, which will contribute to achieving the goals of Riyada in cultivating the culture of entrepreneurship and the support and development of SMEs in terms of training and development, especially in the foundational stages of the creation of their ventures", adding that, “True partnership with the private sector contributes to achieving Riyada’s ultimate goal, which is supporting entrepreneurs in taking leadership in starting and operating their own businesses, and also in excelling at managing, developing and strengthening Riyada’s competencies so we can add value to Oman’s national economy.”
Chris Breeze, Shell’s Country Chariman in Oman stated, “I am delighted to see Shell Intilaaqah in collaboration with a strategic partner like Riyada. Intilaaqah was launched in 1995 in response to Oman’s 2020 vision in line with Shell’s commitment to enterprise development and support in the Sultanate, and we are honoured to work with Riyada on achieving this”, adding that, “Shell Intilaaqah will provide world class training conducted by Omani trainers and experts who will be familiar with the local business environment. This initiative will also support the Omani entrepreneurs who successfully develop businesses through the programme by linking them with potential funding opportunities and other strategic partners.”
The revamped Shell Intilaaqah programme will offer young Omanis a range of enterprise development training programmes, focused training sessions on special business topics, and diagnostic workshops for struggling businesses. In addition, Shell Intilaaqah will also introduce a world-class award scheme for business start-ups to foster and encourage an innovation culture in the SME sector across Oman.
For Media enquiries:
Mr. Nureddin Wefati
Head of Media Relations for Middle East & North Africa
Shell EP International
Tel: +97147055347
Cell: +971562162409
Nureddin.Wefati@Shell.com
Mr. Ali Khan
Spokesperson Middle East & North Africa
Shell EP International Ltd
Tel: +971 4 405 4563
Cell: +971 501 897 480
Ali-nasir.khan@shell.com
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