Session looks at utility services solutions for SMEs
Published: 08:01 PM,Jan 15,2025 | EDITED : 12:01 AM,Jan 16,2025
Muscat: The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) organised the eighth dialogue session on electricity and water services for small and medium enterprises, with the aim of continuing the approach of partnership and integration between small and medium enterprises and related parties.
The session was attended by Halima bint Rashid al Zariyah, Chairperson of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), Dr Mansour bin Talib al Hinai, Chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) and Head of the Basic Services Sector, with the participation of owners of small and medium enterprises in service sector activities and related activities.
The authority seeks, through organising dialogue sessions, to improve the business environment and its attractiveness to small and medium enterprises, contribute to developing policies that support entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises, and explore promising opportunities for small and medium enterprises in economic sectors. Additionally, motivating entrepreneurs to present innovative ideas that contribute to sector development, informing the public about its programmes, projects, and initiatives, and providing the opportunity to discuss topics related to economic affairs.
In her remarks, Halima said: “The session focused on opportunities to obtain business through distribution companies and Nama Holding Company. Entrepreneurs spoke at length about the requirements and standards needed to obtain contracts and purchases, and an executive plan was agreed upon to hold focused sessions with companies operating in the service sector in the electricity, water, sanitation, and waste sectors.”
Dr Mansour al Hinai, Chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation, said: “Today we discussed the challenges facing small and medium enterprises working alongside licensed companies, some of which are limited to entering and participating in tenders offered by companies. Giving them incentives to participate in these tenders was also discussed.
These sessions have a timetable for follow-up on decisions made and agreements reached, obligating regulated companies to implement these policies.” The session addressed several topics concerned with developing the sector, most notably the legislation and laws supporting the electricity and water sector, enhancing the efficiency of electricity and water services, tenders and contracts, in addition to supporting SMEs to enhance their competitiveness and contribute to economic development.
The session was attended by Halima bint Rashid al Zariyah, Chairperson of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), Dr Mansour bin Talib al Hinai, Chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation (APSR) and Head of the Basic Services Sector, with the participation of owners of small and medium enterprises in service sector activities and related activities.
The authority seeks, through organising dialogue sessions, to improve the business environment and its attractiveness to small and medium enterprises, contribute to developing policies that support entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises, and explore promising opportunities for small and medium enterprises in economic sectors. Additionally, motivating entrepreneurs to present innovative ideas that contribute to sector development, informing the public about its programmes, projects, and initiatives, and providing the opportunity to discuss topics related to economic affairs.
In her remarks, Halima said: “The session focused on opportunities to obtain business through distribution companies and Nama Holding Company. Entrepreneurs spoke at length about the requirements and standards needed to obtain contracts and purchases, and an executive plan was agreed upon to hold focused sessions with companies operating in the service sector in the electricity, water, sanitation, and waste sectors.”
Dr Mansour al Hinai, Chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation, said: “Today we discussed the challenges facing small and medium enterprises working alongside licensed companies, some of which are limited to entering and participating in tenders offered by companies. Giving them incentives to participate in these tenders was also discussed.
These sessions have a timetable for follow-up on decisions made and agreements reached, obligating regulated companies to implement these policies.” The session addressed several topics concerned with developing the sector, most notably the legislation and laws supporting the electricity and water sector, enhancing the efficiency of electricity and water services, tenders and contracts, in addition to supporting SMEs to enhance their competitiveness and contribute to economic development.