Oman Economic Review – August 2018

beauty, cooking and sewing. Today,
follow-ups show that over 200 SoHos
from these graduates have gone on to
start their own businesses (an impressive
20 per cent of the total number trained),
joining Oman’s burgeoning small and
medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector.

Springboard, Spring
Forward programmes
In addition, the successful Springboard
programme, run in collaboration
with the British Council, provides
women with key business skills and
self-development tools, which build
knowledge and confidence. The
programme enables women to achieve
more in all aspects of their professional
and personal lives. Through this
programme, Ooredoo is creating a
lasting impact on future generations

as well as enabling women to actively

build the economic future of Oman.

Ooredoo also recently announced

the launch of Spring Forward, open

to both men and women in both the

private and public sectors. Enabling

budding business owners to prosper

from the internet by focussing on

digital entrepreneurship, Ooredoo’s

commitment is to contribute to the

growth and development of Oman’s

economy by nurturing the country’s

talent and supporting digital business.

“The company understands that there

are over 23,000 already registered SMEs

in Oman, which create nearly half the

jobs in the country, contributing to

national income and revenues. With

this in mind it has focused its efforts

on unlocking the full potential of SMEs

through digital entrepreneurship,”

explains Raed. Dynamic innovation

needs strong technological support,

reliable connectivity, and trusted

partners for sustainable growth,

now and into the future. Ooredoo’s

experience as a digital enabler allows

it to better serve the evolving needs of

future leaders as well as established

businesses and individuals.

“At Ooredoo, CSR is not just a strapline

we attach to a community programme

or an initiative. It is a bold and

loud statement of who we are and

what we stand for as a company. It

is how we create shared value for

the communities we serve and how

we make a difference today and

tomorrow,” concludes Raed.