Muscat: On Monday, the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED) announced the establishment of "Oman Crafts," a national program for craft industries.
"Oman Crafts" emerges as a strategic plan to modernize craft businesses in the Sultanate of Oman, promote the sector's contribution in supporting the national economy, empower Omani artisans, and strengthen the presence of the Omani cultural identity on the global stage.
The project is part of continuing efforts to achieve the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, notably by encouraging cultural-related industries, improving the sustainability of crafts-based small and medium firms (SMEs), and developing an integrated system for training, marketing, and finance for SMEs.
The project aims to help the Omani crafts industry become a worldwide leader in promoting economic sustainability and bringing national talent. This goal is planned to be accomplished via the empowerment of Omani craftsmen, encouraging innovation in their chosen fields, building their skills, and promoting integration among entrepreneurs.
The National Program for Craft Industries has a few strategic goals, including:
Empowering craftsmen and developing national capabilities in productivity and innovation.
Improving product quality and building craft value networks.
Increasing the competitiveness and local and worldwide marketing of craft items.
Using new technologies and innovation to develop the crafts sector
Building an integrated infrastructure with incubators and specialized business centres
Creating a legislative and institutional climate that encourages craft industries.
Improving the sustainability of the craft business and associating it to cultural and tourism identity.
The program emphasizes innovation and technology development, local content management, product marketing, national identity protection, investment prospects, and economic sustainability.
