Omran Group and PDO ink pact to enhance ICV

Localisation: Memorandum of Collaboration to help boost the tourism value chain through activities and initiatives aimed at maximising ICV in the Sultanate

BUSINESS REPORTER

MUSCAT, JUNE 20

In continuation of the efforts and initiatives aimed at enhancing In-Country Value (ICV), Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran Group) - the executive arm of the Sultanate for tourism development - signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MOC) with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) to share knowledge, benefit from PDO’s expertise in various fields, including ICV, and explore collaboration opportunities to implement initiatives in the tourism sector.

The agreement also aims to look into potential opportunities to implement strategies and programmes to enhance ICV in order to secure sustainable long-term commercial benefits.

Furthermore, it aims at maximising the use of local content, encouraging knowledge sharing to improve the capacity and capability of the local businesses and vendors in the tourism sector, and exploring opportunities to establish local community tourism companies.

In addition, the MOC covers the potential collaboration to support high-potential investment opportunities and related projects in the tourism sector, as well as sharing best practices and experiences in the fields of health, safety, and environment (HSE) and Lean methodology.

The terms of the agreement also include enhancing co-operation in providing training and secondment opportunities for Omanis and supporting PDO’s efforts in the National Initiative for Plantation of 10 million Trees and other environmental related initiatives. It further establishes a potential strategic partnership between Omran Group and PDO in the development of geo-tourism in Oman and the implementation of community programmes to develop tourism experiences with the National Travel Operator “visitoman.om”.

Chief Executive Officer of Omran Group Hashil bin Obaid al Mahrouqi said: “This agreement is in line with Omran Group’s directions and efforts to enhance the tourism value chain through activities and initiatives aimed at maximising ICV in the Sultanate, which reflects the objectives of the comprehensive ICV strategy that aims to focus on domestic supply chains, empower the national product, and develop local suppliers and contractors, as well as boosting opportunities for local companies and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism sector. These also include increasing Omanisation, developing and training national cadres, and activating areas of social investment.”

PDO Managing Director Raoul Restucci, who signed the MOC with Omran, said: “The MOCs are an example of the continuous collaboration efforts between PDO and its key partners. We look forward to working with Omran on enhancing ICV in the tourism sector as it is vital that we sustain partnerships across different fields to create benefits for Oman’s workforce and economy.”