Muscat: The 3rd Samail Economic Forum began today in the Wilayat of Samail, A'Dakhiliyah Governorate, under the theme 'The Role of Local Content in Enhancing Economic Diversification and Job Creation.'
According to Oman News Agency, the event features participation from government and private entities, entrepreneurs, and local and international investors, marking the growing economic momentum in A'Dakhiliyah Governorate. This forum is instrumental in attracting specialized developmental initiatives that support both national and local economies.
The forum was inaugurated by Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ). Mohammed Khamis Al Hosni, Member of the Shura Council and Chairman of the Forum's Organizing Committee, highlighted that the forum's renewal and diversity, with participation from global guests, aim to bolster the national economy through innovative projects. The focus on local content as a strategic pillar for sustainable development aims to enhance human resources and support national supply chains, reducing reliance on imports.
Held at the Samail Industrial City (Madayn), the forum aims to support national industry and enhance local supply chains, linking local content to procurement, employment, and training policies. It seeks to enable SMEs to enter production value chains, thereby enhancing In-Country Value and creating quality job opportunities for national cadres.
Over three days, the forum will discuss vital topics through specialized dialogue sessions. The first day focused on local procurement and services, examining the role of institutions in promoting local content through purchasing policies and reviewing legislative frameworks, integration mechanisms, and successful national models.
The event also features an industrial exhibition inaugurated by the Chairman of OPAZ, showcasing products from national establishments and entrepreneurs, alongside an 'Investment Opportunities Hub' for project presentations to investors and decision-makers. The "First Samail Hackathon" was launched to integrate innovation into local economic development.
On the second day, discussions will address empowering national human resources, linking local content with employment and training policies, addressing gaps between education and labor market needs, and highlighting sustainable Omanization. Distinguished industrial institutions will be honored for their empowerment efforts.
The forum will conclude with investment promotion and empowerment discussions, reviewing investment opportunities based on local content, enhancing integration between domestic and foreign investments, and examining the role of knowledge and technology transfer. The third day will also announce results from the 'First Samail Hackathon' and present the forum's final recommendations.
The Samail Economic Forum serves as a dialogue platform to strengthen public-private partnerships, stimulate investment, and support the local content ecosystem. It aims to produce practical recommendations for economic diversification, enhance developmental impact on A'Dakhiliyah Governorate, and consolidate its role in achieving sustainable economic development in Oman.
The forum aligns with the governorate's strategy to utilize economic components of its wilayats, enhancing roles as centers for economic dialogue and opportunity creation. This contributes to aligning national policies with local development needs and maximizing local content's role in economic diversification and sustainability, in line with Oman Vision 2040.