Muscat: In a remarkable display of national dedication to youth empowerment and sustainable development, the first edition of 'Sout Al Shabiba - Tamkeen wa Ta'theer' was successfully unveiled in Muscat on Monday.
The forum, hosted by Al Shabiba, a Muscat Media Group publication, in collaboration with the Gulf Leaders Circle, brought together government leaders, business executives, academics, and civil society representatives at the JW Marriott Hotel Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The one-day forum, hosted under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sayyid Faris bin Fatik Al Said and attended by Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali, Chairman of Muscat Media Group, served as a dynamic platform for promoting inclusive dialogue, advancing the goals of Oman Vision 2040, and reaffirming the nation's commitment to empowering its youth and small and medium enterprise (SME) development.
“I am honored to attend this important forum,” said His Highness Sayyid Faris bin Fatik Al Said. “It is both timely and necessary for media groups such as Muscat Media Group to play a leading role in driving national priorities forward, particularly through economic forums and initiatives that support the country’s development goals. ”
HH Sayyid Faris emphasized that the forum corresponds with the main pillars of Oman Vision 2040, which focus on economic diversification, governorate development, self-employment, and enhancing the role of youth in nationbuilding.
The forum began with an engaging presentation by Dr. Ghalib bin Saif Al Hosni, Omantel's Chief People Officer and Chairman of the Oman Society for Human Resource Management (OSHRM).
Dr. Al Hosni discussed the evolving demands of human capital and the critical leadership skills needed in today's rapidly changing environment. He provided information on Omantel's internal leadership training programmes, noting that more than 60% of programme alumni hold management roles in the organization.
Engineer Amer Al Fadhel, Managing Partner of Competence HR, provided a futuristic perspective on the world of work. He talked about how artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation are changing the job market, highlighting the necessity of critical skills including digital literacy, analytical thinking, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving.
"Today, 33 percent of new workers lack fundamental soft skills," he said, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and adaptability in the new generation entering the workforce.
One of the day's highlights was a lively panel discussion titled "Cultivating Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Omani Youth," which was moderated by Omani media expert Abdullah Nasser Al Saidi.
The panel had a notable group of speakers, including Eng. Abdulrahman Al Yahyaei, CEO of Integrated Gas Company; Eng. Said Al Shanfari, CEO of Oman Convention & Exhibition Center; Ali Ahmed Muqaibal, CEO of Sharakah; Dr. Suleiman Al Hasani, Deputy Dean for Academic and Resources at the Global College of Engineering and Technology; and Khalid Al Mahrouqi, Cofounder and CEO of QPay, an emerging Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) platform launching in 2025.
Engineer Al Yahyaei presented a compelling argument for entrepreneurship as a driver of employment creation. "If you want to create an economy, begin with the entrepreneur. Entrepreneurship accounts for the bulk of employment in several nations. In Mexico, for example, SMEs account for 95% of employment, and in Dubai alone, small and medium enterprises provide more than 600,000 jobs.
Engineer Al Shanfari, echoing the sentiment, emphasized the Oman Convention & Exhibition Center's commitment to SMEs. “We work hand in hand with entrepreneurs, giving them real opportunities. Even the carpets in this venue are supplied by a local SME,” he stated, highlighting the broader support such businesses receive from institutions such as the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and its affiliated companies.
Muqaibal highlighted the significance of originality and innovation in the SME sector, stating that while there are many ideas, the market is still suffering from repetition and a lack of differentiation. “Oman is doing well compared to many Gulf countries in supporting SMEs, but we must ensure liquidity and promote diversity,” he said.
Dr. Al Hasani emphasized the importance of higher education in promoting entrepreneurial thinking.
"Entrepreneurship may not be taught as a distinct subject, but it is embedded throughout all higher education programs in Oman, according to the Ministry of Higher Education. " Still, fear of failure remains a significant hurdle for many young people," he said.
For Al Mahrouqi, financial technology is a pathway to empowerment. "Fintech is not new. Even conventional banks are embracing it now," he said.
“At QPay, you can create an account or request a loan in less than three minutes. We’re here to break down the obstacles that have traditionally impeded innovation. ”
The forum also featured a comprehensive presentation by Qasim bin Mohammed Al Zadjali, Assistant Officer Customer Relationship Management at the Development Bank, who explained the institution's expanded mandate under Royal Decree No. 84/2023.
With the bank now able to give loans up to OMR 5 million, Al Zadjali underlined its dedication to encouraging small, medium, and microenterprises.
"We provide interest-free loans up to OMR15,000 for self-employed microprojects, provided that the applicant is fully committed to the endeavor," he said.
The second panel of the forum focused on "Policy, Collaboration, and Sustainability for Youth Empowerment," and was moderated by journalist Khalfan bin Said Al Amri.
The gathering included important figures such as Hassan Haider Mohammed Jawad AlLawati, Chairman of the Oman Association for Persons with Disabilities; Ghassan Fadhal, Director of Tashgheel; lawyer Omran Aljabri, CEO Deputy Ahmed AlMuqbali Advocate and Legal Consultants; Talal Abdulrahman Al Zadjali, Acting Chief Operating Officer of the Development Bank; and Rumaitha Al Busaidi, Vice President of the Environment Society of Oman (ESO).
AlLawati provided a personal and emotional perspective on the problems faced by individuals with disabilities, particularly stigma and societal prejudice. “Our capabilities are no less. What we require is acceptance and opportunity,” he said.
Fadhal advocated for a more cohesive framework to promote freelancing and entrepreneurship. He also lauded the 1. 2% goal, which directs a portion of government procurement expenditures to on-the-job training and employment-related learning programs.
Aljabri tackled the legal issues that often intimidate young entrepreneurs. “It’s not money that prevents many youth—it’s the fear of legal problems and failure itself. We need
to assist them in overcoming this psychological hurdle,” he said.
Rumaitha concluded the discussion by highlighting environmental sustainability as a critical component of youth development. “Young Omanis are scientifically and practically prepared. What they lack is ownership—give them space and allow them to lead. We've had tremendous success with our projects, contests, and environmental activities. "
Talal bin Abdulrahman Al Zadjali, Acting Chief Operations Officer of the Development Bank, stated that the bank's support for the forum is aligned with its strategic goals and national duty in promoting entrepreneurship.
"Our participation reflects the Development Bank's ongoing commitment to building an entrepreneurial culture in Oman," he explained.
"One of our key objectives is to create awareness of the many financial and advisory services we provide to empower youth-led enterprises. "
Al Zadjali clarified that the bank's involvement was intended to acquaint forum attendees with a diverse variety of programs that support SMEs and microprojects throughout the Sultanate. “We are here to ensure young entrepreneurs know that they have a financial partner ready to support their ambitions,” he added.
Al Zadjali emphasized that all of these projects are closely aligned with Oman Vision 2040. He stated, “Our work directly supports national goals — from boosting self-employment and empowering governorate-level development to increasing in-country value. ”
Sout Al Shabiba, in its inaugural edition, has already established itself as a landmark forum for national dialogue, bringing together decision-makers, youth leaders, and innovators to explore practical solutions to create a more inclusive and entrepreneurial Oman.
In keeping with Vision 2040 goals, the forum recognizes youth as important participants in determining the nation's future and equips them with the tools, networks, and confidence to do so.
The Development Bank, Changan, Turkish Airlines, Global College of Engineering and Technology, and Ahmed AlMuqbali Advocate and Legal Consultants sponsored the event.
