The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are witnessing steady growth in the Sultanate of Oman due to close monitoring and regular inspection by the competent authorities.
In course of monitoring, Halima bint Rashid al Zariyah, Chairperson of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, made field visits to various creative craft projects across Al Sharqiyah North Governorate. These visits are aimed to closely monitor project progress, offer support and inspire artisans with more resources.
In 2023, the Authority received a total of 2,064 craft support applications from across the Sultanate of Oman. This support extended to 597 craftsmen benefiting from training programmes, along with over 529 individuals availing themselves of marketing services tailored for craftsmen.
One noteworthy project in the Wilayat of Bidiyah is 3D pillar Endeavor, which applies CNC technology for wood manufacturing. Abdullah bin Amer al Hajri, the project's proprietor, explained to the visiting team how this technology empowers craftsmen to channel their creativity, fashioning intricate woodwork via computer-guided precision, yielding exquisite artistic pieces and opulent keepsakes.
ArtHorizon Foundation, managed by Dr Salman al Hajri, offers bespoke artistic consultations and digital printing services. The project impressed the visitors.
Equally impressive for the SME visiting team was Hussein al Darushi Foundation for Handicrafts (Frond Illuminations) in the Wilayat of Wadi Bani Khalid.
This workshop specialises in crafting palm fronds into innovative handicrafts, actively training Omani female artisans in advanced palm frond techniques, with a view towards supplying both domestic and international markets with refined products.
The visit also encompassed Muayyad al Rashidi's woodwork project in the Wilayat of Wadi Bani Khalid, a home-based enterprise licenced for artisanal endeavours. Al Rashidi's focus on local tree woodwork yields contemporary, innovative artistic creations. Equally, Rabei al Maskari's al Mandoos craft project in the Wilayat of Ibra, supported through the craft assistance programme, showcased a range of products such as wooden boxes and frames crafted from local materials.
Meanwhile, craftsman Mohammad Bani Araba's workshop in the Wilayat of Dima W'attayeen demonstrated inventive use of palm waste, crafting contemporary products. Recognising their potential, the Authority plans to include these products in promotional materials and marketing outlets.
Looking ahead to 2024, the Authority is committed to furthering creative craft industries by integrating modern technologies and innovative machinery. The forthcoming National Center for Creative Craft Industries in Sultan Haitham City, spanning 10,000 square meters, is poised to become a pivotal hub, embodying cultural richness, diversity and the latest technological advancements in craft production.
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