09 May In partnership with the British Embassy Muscat, MEDRC concludes the REROM SMEs programme

In partnership with the British Embassy in Muscat, MEDRC concluded the REROM SMEs programme with a graduation ceremony held under the patronage of H.E. Ali Al Abri, Undersecretary for Water Resources at the Ministry ‏of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. The REROM SMEs programme is a vocational training programme that aims to build the capacity of young Omanis by equipping them with the necessary skillset to start SMEs in the water treatment sector in Oman. 17 young Omani job seekers graduated from the programme this year after an intensive 9-week training programme at MEDRC. The programme included courses in wastewater treatment, business and finance, solar training, plant construction and installation.

James Goldman, Charge d’Affaires of the British Embassy Muscat, commented: “We are proud to have sponsored the REROM SME’S programme, and congratulate the 17 young Omanis who completed the programme. We look forward to seeing their contribution to a more sustainable future and green economy. Innovation and entrepreneurship are critical to the UK and Oman.  That is why we are partnering with the Government of Oman on a range of initiatives to support the development of SMEs. Alongside REROM, in the last 12 months, we have also helped to upskill over 30 Omani tech companies and worked with the SME Authority on producing a strategy for SME development in Oman.”

Ciarán Ó Cuinn, MEDRC Centre Director, further added: “With fantastic support from the British Embassy this project supported talented Omani jobseekers to build the environmental SMEs that are so crucial for the green economy. The participants built 10 solar powered water treatment plants for schools and mosques. We are proud of their achievements and proud to partner with the British Embassy, Muscat on this environmental initiative.”

By the end of this programme, the graduates will join a short course offered by the Authority for SMEs Development in order to prepare them with the skills needed to set up an SME. The skills gained will allow graduates to enter the water sector in Oman confidently and contribute to achieving in-country value objectives.