in Shell’s General Business Principles
for over 40 years. “Our approach to
sustainable development (SD) affects
the choices we make about our portfolio
and products and the way in which we
operate,” says Burair Al Lawati, social
investment, government & external
relations manager at Shell Oman
Marketing. “Enterprise development
and ICV have been in the DNA of Shell
Oman’s operational model before it was
even considered “cool” to do so or talk
about it. The most visible example of
this is our service stations’ retailers.”
Supporting SMEs
Shell Oman supports Omani Small
and Medium Enterprises (SME) by
enabling them to operate Shell Service
Stations, shops and other facilities. With
over 187 strategically located service
stations in the Sultanate, the SMEs get
the opportunity to grow their business
through a proven business model that
is backed by access to global knowhow.
Besides the tremendous business
potential, the SMEs benefit from
continuous and extensive knowledge-
transfer as well as HSSE, marketing,
training and technology support from
Shell Oman. Currently, there are more
than 120 Omani enterprises that work
as retailers at Shell service stations,
and many of these Omani enterprises
have achieved multiple local and global
recognitions from the Royal Dutch Shell
Group for being the ‘Retailer of the Year’,
showcasing local Omani talent and for
their potential to a global audience.
Says Burair, “If one looks at our trade
and supply business, you will realise
that Shell Oman had opted many years
ago to work with local distributors
and contractors for the distribution of
our fuel and fuel products (including
lubes), instead of owning its own fleet of
bridgers (tank lorries) or trucks.”
'That’s not all – take the example
of our ‘Solar Into Stations’ project,
Shell Oman was the first company
to install a solar system at a service
station in the Sultanate in Mukhaizna,
Al Wusta Governorate; and we did
that in collaboration with one of the
Omani SMEs that were trained by Shell
Intilaaqa to become solar suppliers. We
are currently working on the expansion
of our solar projects in other service
stations during the year,” he adds. As
of today, the company works with a
large network of local contractors’ in
the distribution sector to deliver Shell
fuel products (Four transportation
companies) across the Sultanate. This
decision was part of the company’s
long term strategy and commitment to
sustainable development, by creating In-
Country-Value in its business activities.“Our ICV agenda can also be seen in
the lubricants business, as Shell Oman
continues to leverage the benefits of
its lubricants blending plant which
is the only ISO-certified facility of its
kind in the Sultanate. The Plant creates
an added value for the country by
exporting approximately two-thirds of
“Made-In-Oman” Shell lubes, to more
than 15 countries in the Middle East,
Asia and Africa, while meeting the local
market’s demands,” he explains. A few
years ago, Shell Oman moved its base-oil
storage facility from a neighbouring
country to Sohar Port, as part of an
ICV and HSSE agenda, thereby further
contributing to sustainable development
by supporting SMEs, and in turn helping
create more ICV.Community development
Talking about the focus areas and
objectives of the company’s CSR
initiatives, Burair said: “Shell Omanis committed to meet the Sultanate’s
growing energy demands and contribute
to its prosperity in an economically,
environmentally and socially responsible
way, while sharing benefits with the
Omani society. The company has put
in place an annual social investment
budget and has developed a strategy
that targets a wide range of initiatives to
drive social awareness and contribute
to the well-being of the local community
focusing on three strategic themes: road
safety, environment and community
development.” He adds, “Shell Oman
continues to build on its excellent long-
term relationships with its stakeholders
in the public and private sector as well
as non-government organisations and
youth charity groups with active staff
participation to ensure the reach of its
CSR programmes to the grassroots level,
and to enhance the effectiveness of such
initiatives.” Apart from the targeted
strategic social investment initiatives
planned at the beginning of every year,Shell Oman keeps a window open for
dialogue with the Omani community
in terms of a social investment budget
through donations and sponsorships
to address the requests received
from various organisations, charities
and entities in Oman. This approach
allows the company to build on its
strategic long-term relationship with its
stakeholders in the public and private
sector, as well as non-government
organisations and youth charity groups
that help raise awareness and funds for
various causes.