OCCI branch in North Al Batinah holds symposium on funding for SMEs, startups

Sohar: North Al Batinah branch of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) on Monday organised a symposium that elaborated on support and financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups.

The symposium aimed to highlight the central role of SMEs as a driving force for the national economy, a source of employment and a channel for encouraging innovation.

The symposium provided an interactive platform that brought together two groups: “Entrepreneurs and owners of SMEs” and “Representatives of government institutions that provide support and funding to SMEs”.

The symposium discussed means of achieving interactive balance between responsibilities and roles (of the parties concerned) in a manner that identifies the common challenges, enhances the sustainability and growth of SMEs and supports the national economy.

The symposium included dialogue sessions on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in empowering SMEs and outlined means of enabling entrepreneurs to run their projects (in terms of procedures and financing) within the context of digital transition.

The symposium was held under the auspices of Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Busaidi, Wali of Sohar.