Muscat: On Tuesday, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) hosted the Sanad Service Centres Forum along with a related exhibition, centered on the theme ‘Empowerment and Sustainable Growth,’ at the JW Marriott Hotel in Madinat Al Irfan.
The event was held under the auspices of Dr. Laila bint Ahmed Al Najjar, Minister of Social Development, and attended by Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, as well as Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, President of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones.
The forum featured the participation of esteemed officials, including Dr. Saleh bin Said Masan, Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry, and Ibtisam bint Ahmed Al-Farooji, Undersecretary for Investment Promotion.
Additionally, the event attracted notable CEOs, experts, representatives from both the public and private sectors, as well as owners of Sanad Service Centres.
Scheduled from December 31, 2024, to January 1, 2025, the Sanad Service Centres Forum aims to fulfill strategic goals related to the development and support of Sanad Service Centres. Nasra bint Sultan Al Habsi, Director General of Commerce at the MoCIIP, highlighted the importance of these centres, stating: “These centres represent one of the nation’s key initiatives. Since their inception, they have played a pivotal role in supporting the government’s digital transformation journey and creating job opportunities for Omani youth. The growth figures we witness today for these small enterprises underscore the importance of continuing to support them.”
Al Habsi emphasized that the youth of Oman represent the nation's greatest asset. He stated that investing in their skills and potential is crucial for fostering a prosperous future. The Ministry is committed to creating a supportive environment that empowers young people to realize their goals and play an active role in the nation’s progress.
The opening ceremony featured a visual presentation that underscored the significance of the Sanad Service Centres, detailing the services they offer and the Ministry’s vision to raise public awareness about these centres.
Additionally, the program included the signing of six agreements and collaborative initiatives with private sector partners, the introduction of four new services via the Sanad e-portal, and the acknowledgment of exemplary Sanad Service Centre owners and their staff for their outstanding contributions.
Achieving strategic objectives
Mohammed bin Salem Al Mashaikhi, Director of Sanad Service Centres at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, addressed the forum.
He remarked that in alignment with the emphasis His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik places on supporting entrepreneurs in Oman, and his encouragement for self-employment, the Ministry has prioritized the development of Sanad Service Centres.
“These centres play a crucial role in generating employment opportunities and enhancing the business landscape for both citizens and residents.”
Al Mashaikhi highlighted that the Ministry aims to utilize this forum as a venue for sharing experiences and successful practices, while also identifying strategies to enhance performance and improve efficiency in service delivery.
He underscored that these initiatives are in line with the goals and aspirations of Oman Vision 2040, which focuses on elevating the quality and efficiency of public services and advancing digital transformation across all sectors.
In terms of agreements, the MoCIIP has formalized six agreements and cooperation programs with various public and private organizations to introduce new services through Sanad Service Centres.
These agreements and programs are designed to further enhance the Sanad Service Centres system, empower Omani youth, and assign them the responsibility of sustaining the achievements from the previous phase. The objective is to maintain high efficiency in the upcoming phase, which will help increase job opportunities within these centers.
The agreements were executed on behalf of MoCIIP by Dr. Saleh bin Said Masan, Undersecretary for Commerce and Industry, along with the CEOs of the participating entities.
These agreements encompass various sectors, including:
* Awasr and Vodafone Oman from the telecommunications sector
* Dhofar Integrated Services Company from the public services sector
* Oman Credit and Financial Information Centre (Mala’a) from the financial sector
* Al Madina Takaful from the insurance sector
* Bank Sohar from the banking sector.
These agreements encompass the integration of their services with the e-portal of Sanad Service Centres.
Introduction of New Services
At the inauguration of the Sanad Service Centres Forum, a variety of new services were unveiled, further enhancing the role of Sanad Service Centres as a pivotal force in local development and a vital partner in delivering services to both citizens and residents.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP) introduced a service for certifying medical reports from private medical facilities in Oman. Additionally, several insurance services were launched in partnership with the SuperJet platform from Gulf Travel Company.
The centres also initiated a travel ticket booking service in collaboration with the Godoba platform of Al Raqi Business Company. Furthermore, the centres will now provide credit report issuance services in partnership with the Oman Credit and Financial Information Centre (Mala’a).
Recognition of Exceptional Sanad Service Centre Owners and Staff
In alignment with the strategic goals of the Sanad Service Centres and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion's (MoCIIP) dedication to sustaining these centers and enhancing their appeal as workplaces, exceptional owners and employees of Sanad Service Centres have been acknowledged. This recognition is part of the Ministry's initiative to enhance operations and deliver services that uphold the esteemed reputation of the centres.
The awards are designed to promote job security within the centres and to honor excellence in service provision. The recognition categories included:
* Outstanding centres at the governorate level
* The top three employees at Sanad Service Centres
* The two centres with the highest utilization of the Sanad e-portal
* The two users with the highest engagement on the Sanad e-portal
* The two users with the most activity on the Oman Business Platform
* Two owners of Sanad Service Centres with disabilities.
Empowerment and Sustainable Growth Exhibition
An exhibition was inaugurated during the forum to showcase the development of Sanad Service Centres over the past 18 years and to promote their sustainability. This includes the integration of services, the exemplary Sanad Service Centre model, and mobile centres. The exhibition highlighted the importance of the Sanad e-portal in facilitating services from various entities.
The exhibition illustrated the journey of Sanad Service Centres, detailing their growth, the range of services provided, and the technologies and tools employed to improve service delivery.
The inaugural licence for Sanad Service Centres was granted in 2006, and today, numerous centres across different governorates in the Sultanate of Oman deliver efficient e-services to both citizens and residents. These centres are pivotal in advancing digital transformation and supporting Oman’s Vision for e-Government.
The first day of the forum featured a training workshop titled ‘Excellence in Customer Service,’ led by Yousef Al Hosani, a specialist in etiquette and international protocol. The workshop covered the significance of customer service, effective communication techniques, and strategies for engaging customers to foster long-term relationships.
The day concluded with a meeting between Qais bin Mohammed Al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, and a group of Sanad Service Centre owners. The discussion centered on enhancing and developing the operations of Sanad Service Centres, addressing existing challenges, and exploring strategies for improvement.
Sanad Service Centres have experienced a significant increase in demand, completing over 1.1 million transactions and e-services in the first ten months of 2024. As of the end of October 2024, the total number of Sanad Service Centres has reached 913, creating nearly 2,500 job opportunities. This forum serves as a platform for the introduction of new services designed to enhance the operational efficiency of these centres and improve service quality.
The Sanad Service Centres Forum is actively progressing, with the second day featuring a workshop focused on development and sustainability in partnership with the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit. Furthermore, two training workshops are scheduled: one dedicated to information security and the other to marketing and promotional skills. The ‘Empowerment and Sustainable Growth’ exhibition will also continue as part of the ongoing activities.
