Intilaaqah Oman, which was born in 1995, has been surging ahead, with its steadfast objective of creating entrepreneurs and a business environment for the unemployed youth of Oman. Its vision also includes helping the youth to overcome hurdles while establishing their own businesses or enterprises, thereby setting new altitudes of advancement in economy, trade and industry. The Intilaaqah programme strives to create confidence among Omani youngsters about their business ideas, support them by providing training and counselling, and finally help them realise their goals. In an exclusive interview with Oman Vistas, Salma Noor Mohammed Al Balushi, on behalf of Intilaaqah, highlights various objectives and achievements of the programme. Excerpts from the interview:

What is Intilaaqah and what are the main objectives of the programme?

“Intilaaqah” is a non-profit programme that is modelled on a Shell founded
initiative called ‘LiveWIRE’, which is running now in 25 countries. The purpose of Intilaaqah is to stimulate and encourage unemployed young Omanis to consider the option of starting their ownbusiness. Shell then provides assistance to those who wish to take up this scheme. The programme started in Oman on the occasion of the Sultanate’s 25th National Day in November 1995 and since then, nearly 4,000 young Omanis have benefited.

The objectives of our programme include providing young and unemployed Omanis with the tools to develop their business ideas by offering personal counselling and referral to training in preparation for starting a business; assisting the government’s aim of diversifying the economy away from oil and gas; helping alleviate the growing unemployment amongst young Omanis; and demonstrating Shell’s commitment to the sustainable development of the sultanate.

Several government and private sector organisations are now partners in the programme and sponsor a number of its activities. The partners of the programme are BankMuscat, National Bank of Oman, Oman International Bank, Oman Air, SANAD Programme, Sultan Qaboos University and Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM).

How many young entrepreneurs have you trained so far this year and what is your target?

This year Intilaaqah Oman has already trained nearly 400 young entrepreneurs and our target is to train 900
candidates. Intilaaqah has gone from strength to strength. It has trained nearly 4,000 candidates of whom nearly 1,450 are in business – approximately 900 are employed and another 900 have gone for further studies. Intilaaqah has trained candidates throughout the sultanate, including Muscat, Thamrait, Shinas, Ibri, Yanqul, Barka, Musanna, Rustaq, Suwaiq, Al Khaboora, Sohar, Samail, Izki, Nizwa, Bahla, Ibra, Sinaw, Al Mudhaibi, Sur, Masira, Salalah, Sadah, Buraimi and Musandam.

How do you define your role in your organisation?

I am responsible for the day to day running of Intilaaqah and providing hands-on support on the ground. My role includes running the counselling services. I also analyse individual business plans and ensure the standards are followed and raise entrepreneurship culture among young Omanis by conducting presentations and workshops and participation in seminars. Besides, I liaise with funding bodies to financially support business start-ups and I am responsible for promoting the Intilaaqah activities by organising graduation ceremonies for trainees and setting up the Intilaaqah Best Young Entrepreneur Awards.

Do you play any role to generate competition among the national youth? How?

We conduct the Intilaaqah Best Young Entrepreneur Awards. This award is dedicated to a new entrepreneur who the panel believes has had the most successful start-up. Any young individual who has been in business not less than six months and not more than 18 months and falls in the age group between 18 and 32 years can nominate himself/herself or be nominated for the award. The award itself is a cash prize totalling RO11,000.

Other than training programmes, how do you support the youngsters in establishing their projects/enterprises?

Our counselling service provides advice and support to those who wish to further pursue the option of starting their own business. We also sponsor the Best Young Entrepreneur Awards and assist those who apply for funds from the funding bodies. All these services are free of charge.

What are the main services provided by your organisation?

Our main services include training, counselling and awards. Intilaaqah provides four types of training courses to young Omanis in order to help them consider the option of starting their own business or develop an existing business.
Advice and guidance is offered in a variety of ways to those who wish to pursue the option of starting their own business, or those who wish to expand and develop their existing business. Intilaaqah also organises an annual awards function to choose the best young entrepreneur in Oman.

What is your contribution to the government’s efforts to diversify the economy?

We help young Omanis to open their own businesses and become self-employed. We believe that this is one way that will help the government in its efforts to diversify the economy.

Do you also help students to take up jobs at various organisations?

We focus on training and counselling for self-employment.

What are your future plans?

We plan to increase awareness of the importance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and reach more people who can benefit from the programme.

Do you think your students are making a mark in Oman’s social landscape?

There are already a number of success stories of our trainees and beneficiaries. For example The Young Entrepreneur Awards is a good way of highlighting successful ideas /projects. Our examples of successful students include Laila Al Farsi, Al Wasal Nursery School in Al Ghubra; Bader Al Kalbani, Ibn Al Aaredh EST, in Seeb and Faisal Salim Al Balushi, Al Aseel Real Estate Services in Al Ghubra, to name a few.