MUSCAT: The recently approved national policy of local value addition (also known as In-Country Value - ICV) is expected to boost employment rates, according to Dr Ali al Shidhani, Under-Secretary for Communications and Information Technology at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
Speaking to a local news Arabic newspaper, the Under-Secretary shared that the national local value addition policy has been approved by the Council of Ministers and is being implemented by the Government Tender Board.
“Local added value is very important,” Dr Al Shidhani said. “As everyone knows, the esteemed Council of Ministers has approved a national policy for local added value. The Tender Board is leading the implementation of this policy through a guide for local added value procedures and ensuring that various government institutions benefit from local added value through government projects.”
In line with this goal, "the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology is currently implementing various ICV initiatives,” he pointed out.
“There are significant initiatives we are currently working on. First, we are implementing the local added value guide issued by the General Secretariat of the Tender Board. This guide is comprehensive for every government project.”
According to the Under-Secretary, all companies will be required to adhere to several commitments, including training, employment, and job creation. Furthermore, the Ministry will continuously monitor projects to ensure their adherence to the guide.
“The Ministry will monitor all major projects related to its work, which are assigned through the General Secretariat of the Tender Board. This monitoring involves selecting companies that achieve higher Omanisation rates. Companies that implement higher Omanisation rates and offer better job opportunities will have a greater chance of being awarded projects.”
Dr Al Shidhani further added, “After projects are awarded, companies must fulfill their commitments to implementing local added value. This includes sourcing materials from within the Sultanate, supporting small and medium enterprises, employing Omanis, and providing training. All of this contributes to increasing the number of Omanis employed. The ministry, led by His Excellency the Minister and all ministry employees, is prioritizing employment as a key focus.”
Spanning the 2024 – 2030 timeframe, the recently approved Local Value Addition Policy will focus on four main pillars: supply chains, workplace development, job creation and training opportunities and innovation.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
