The new interactive platform is dedicated to entrepreneurs who aspire to create their own business ventures, once successful, continue to inspire their communities, making a positive impact on Oman’s social and economic development.

Shell Intilaaqah Oman is a long-standing initiative that aims to support entrepreneurs by stimulating their innate imagination, while ensuring they acquire the skillset to formulate and develop their business ideas and make them a reality. The latest edition of the programme focuses on empowering participants to take calculated risks to excel in their business journey, in order to be able to inspire others by sharing the valuable lessons they learned along the way.

“Shell Intilaaqah Oman continues to capture the spirt of its participants and through their determination and hard work, we are confident they are able to work towards establishing successful businesses. The ‘Aspire and Inspire’ platform is a true reflection of the training phases an entrepreneur goes through. They are first aspired to create something and through their experience and success become in a position to inspire others. It’s with great pride that we continue to encourage the development of SMEs and entrepreneurs in the Sultanate by offering professional training, guidance and business development services,” said Najwa Al Kindi, Director of Shell Intilaaqah Oman.

Through the five phases, the aspiring participants evolve as they build the skillset, working knowledge and develop their business ideas. The ‘Aspire and Inspire’ platform is structured to meet the requirements of entrepreneurs. The phases, which can be taken in any sequence include Bright Ideas for Business Projects, How to Become a Successful Business Owner, Counseling and Mentoring, Specialized Training, and How to Manage Insolvency and Stumbling Businesses. The balanced series of tailored-classes and workshops are all an important part of the organizations commitment to support Omani entrepreneurs and SMEs.

Al Kindi added, “‘Aspire and Inspire’ is an all-encompassing sustainable platform that puts entrepreneurs at the centre of the Shell Intilaaqah programme. They start as aspiring participants who evolve through the stages of training until they graduate, start their own business, and then inspire others to embark on the path of entrepreneurship.”

Taking on the responsibility to grow the pool of entrepreneurs in the Sultanate, Shell Intilaaqah Oman has evolved over the years. In 2016, the programme partnered with the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Riyada) which was recently renewed for more two years, offering more support to entrepreneurs in various areas; including training, mentoring and counselling. During 2017 alone, Shell Intilaaqah Oman trained approximately 800 aspiring entrepreneurs, helping create over 200 jobs in 70 start-ups.