Initiatives And Programs

1- Numo Program

This program aims to accelerate the growth of tech startups by providing services that scale their businesses.

Targeted Companies

1. Seed Stage: Companies with a viable product and initial funding, showing signs of early success.
2. Growth Stage: Companies with investment and a growing customer base, focusing on revenue growth, profitability, product development, and team expansion.

Services Offered

• Specialized consultations and workshops
• Promotional support
• Participation in exhibitions and events
• Business development opportunities

The program aims to encourage the government entities to pilot and purchase the local startups products in ICT sector. In addition to support the entry of these products to the local market and contributes to the growth of ICT sector in Oman. 

Offered Services

1. Supporting startup to do Proof of Value (POV) to validate that the product will be useful for government entities. The ministry will facilitate the product testing for maximum 3 months.
2. Taking any necessary actions and facilitations and coordinating between startups and targeted government entities.
3. Promoting the locally developed products.

Target Segment

ICT startup that have developed tech products that target government entities directly or indirectly.

Program Page: www.Sas.om/jadara

3-Sas48 Hackathon

A 48-hour hackathon where teams develop real-world solutions. Experienced mentors will guide and support the teams as they work through challenges and improve their projects. At the end, each team will present their solutions to a panel of judges and explore the innovations of other participants. The top 3 teams will be announced on the final day and will receive six months of additional support to further develop their business models.

Target segments

University students, job seekers, and employees

Objectives

1. Encourage innovation by providing a platform to test and validate new tech ideas.
2. Transform conceptual ideas into working prototypes for challenge solutions.
3. Actively promote and Foster a culture of entrepreneurship

 4-Startup Ecosystem Development Initiative

A set of programs and initiatives aim to improve startup ecosystem in Oman through a specific methodology that measures performance development.

Objectives

1. Improving the tech environment and enhancing startup ecosystem in Oman.
2. Aligning efforts and work with other relevant entities in different projects and initiatives to enhance startup ecosystem.
3.   Provide the necessary support for the startups to maximize their development opportunities by holding events that enhance the networking with startups and investors.

Key Initiatives

1. Startup Ecosystem Heatmap
2. Oman Startup Platform (OSH)

OSH platform page: www.omanstartuphub.om

5- Consultation Hours

60-minute sessions for tech companies, startups and aspiring entrepreneurs to receive guidance. Bookings can be made through the SAS website.

To register: Consultation Hours

6- ICT Sector Local Content Stimulation Program

The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology is implementing the ICT Sector Local Content Stimulation Program as part of its efforts to enhance local content and integrate roles between public and private sector institutions. This initiative aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which aims to promote sustainable employment for citizens and improve the integration of Omani goods and services into the procurement processes of local companies, contributing to their growth and expansion. 

Objectives

1. Increase the percentage of local content in ICT government contracts.
2. Localize industries and services, identifying market opportunities for SMEs.
3. Support local companies in expanding locally and internationally.
4. Create a monitoring mechanism for local content in the ICT sector.

Terms:

• Local content: The added value to the national economy resulting from the use of local content elements.
• Local content elements: These are production components consisting of the workforce, national and local products, fixed assets, the development of small and medium enterprises, and others.
• National product: The local product that has obtained the National Product Identity from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion.
• Local product: the good or service manufactured within the Sultanate of Oman.
• Mandatory Goods List: Classified goods that are added to the mandatory list issued by the General Secretariat of the Tender Board and are required to be used in the contract, including registered local and national technology.
• Mandatory services list: Classified services that are added to the mandatory list issued by the General Secretariat of the Tender Board and are mandatory to use in the contract, including registered local technology.
• Local content plan: A plan that outlines the targets for local content elements at all stages of the project.
• Made in Oman: A product, material, or equipment listed in the Omani origin goods list issued by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion (link).
• Localisation of technology: It is the process of transferring technical knowledge in a way that aligns with local needs by developing competencies, and enhancing research, innovation, design, development, and local manufacturing from global technologies.
• Micro, small, and medium enterprises, any micro, small, or medium institution registered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority and the General Secretariat of the Tender Board in the Sultanate of Oman.
• Tech and startup companies: Any startup company registered with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority and holding a startup entrepreneurship card.
• Locally registered companies: These are companies that have an active Omani commercial registration.
• Gulf tech companies: These are companies that have a commercial registration from one of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and are active.
• International tech companies: These are companies that have a commercial registration from outside the Sultanate and the active Gulf countries.
• Freelancers: They are independent business owners who rely on their personal skills, abilities, and knowledge to complete tasks and possess a valid Omani commercial registration.
• Tech Companies Directory: A list affiliated with the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology that includes information about telecommunications and information technology companies registered commercially in the Sultanate (link).
• Developing local suppliers: These are the activities that the contractor plans to provide to suppliers from small and medium-sized enterprises registered locally in relation to contract execution during the contract period. Among these activities that the contractor undertakes to improve the standards and efficiency of its suppliers to enhance the quality of their products or services and localise technology, as well as the activities the contractor undertakes to develop and train the suppliers' workforce.

Local content regulations for government tenders in the field of telecommunications and information technology 

 1)  Project budget in Omani Rial (1-25 thousand Omani Rial):

• Methodology for Local Content Incentivisation: Adherence to the mandatory list and the specified category of companies only complies with Financial Circular (1/2015) (Annex 1).
• Categories of companies: freelancers, local tech startups, local micro and small tech companies
• The weight of the evaluation criterion for local content: 10%
• The elements required in the local content plan:

1. Localisation, at the company level: meets the localisation requirements according to the Ministry of Labour certificate
2. Micro, small, and medium enterprises: investigator according to the specified company categories
3. Developing local suppliers: investigator according to the specified company categories
4. Digital goods and products: The mandatory goods list, a priority for local developers and manufacturers
5. Investment: not required

• The documents required for evaluating local content:

1. Ministry of Labour: localisation report
2. Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority: startup card or startups (if any)
3. Certificate of Registration and Classification of Small and Medium Enterprises
4. Commercial Register Details

2) Project budget in Omani Rial (25,001 – 50,000 Omani Rial):

• Methodology for Local Content Incentivisation: 

1. Adherence to the mandatory list
2. Assignment to local companies with priority for the specified category of companies

• Categories of companies:

1. Freelancers
2. Local tech startup
3. Local micro, small, and medium-sized tech companies

• The weight of the evaluation criterion for local content: 20%
• The elements required in the local content plan:

1. Localisation: At the company level: meets the localisation requirements according to the Ministry of Labour certificate. At the project level, 40%, adherence to the mandatory list of designated jobs
2. Micro, small, and medium enterprises: the mandatory services list, subcontracting at least 10% for large companies
3. Developing local suppliers: investigator in case of contracting with specified categories of companies, optional in case of contracting with large companies to implement the "Supplier Development Program.", to develop small and medium enterprises
4. Digital goods and products: the mandatory goods list, a priority for local developers and manufacturers
5. Investment: not required

• The documents required for evaluating local content:

1. Ministry of Labour: localisation report
2. Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority: startup card or startups (if any)
3. Certificate of Registration and Classification of Small and Medium Enterprises
4. For large companies: Delivery of the local content plan
5. Commercial Register Details

3) Project budget in Omani Rial (50,001 - 250,000 Omani Rial):

• Methodology for Local Content Incentivisation:

1. Adherence to the mandatory list
2. Assignment to local companies with priority for the specified category of companies

Categories of companies:

1. Local tech startups
2. Local micro, small, and medium-sized tech companies

• The weight of the evaluation criterion for local content: 25%
• The elements required in the local content plan:

1. Localisation: at the company level: meets the localisation requirements according to the Ministry of Labour certificate. At the project level: 40%, adherence to the mandatory list of designated jobs
2. Micro, small, and medium enterprises: the mandatory services list, subcontracting at least 15% for the large companies category
3. Developing local suppliers: investigator in case of contracting with specified categories of companies, required in case of contracting with large companies to implement the "Supplier Development Program, to develop small and medium enterprises
4. Digital goods and products: the mandatory goods list, a priority for local developers and manufacturers
5. Investment: not required

• The documents required for evaluating local content:

1. Ministry of Labour: localisation report
2. Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority: startup card or startups (if any)
3. Certificate of Registration and Classification of Small and Medium Enterprises
4. For large companies: Delivery of the local content plan
5. Commercial Register Details

4) Project budget in Omani Rial (250,001 – 3 million Omani Rial):

• Methodology for Local Content Incentivisation: adherence to the mandatory list and priority for the specified category of companies
• Categories of companies: 

1. Local emerging tech companies
2. Local small and medium-sized tech companies
3. The large local tech companies

• Weight of the evaluation criterion for local content: 30%
• The elements required in the local content plan:

1. Localisation: at the company level: meets the localisation requirements according to the Ministry of Labour certificate. At the project level: 40%, adherence to the mandatory list of designated jobs
2. Micro, small, and medium enterprises: the mandatory list of technical services, subcontracting at least 20% for large, Gulf, and international companies
3. Developing local suppliers: investigated according to the following company categories: local tech startups, local small and medium-sized tech companies, companies are required to implement a "Supplier Development Program" to develop the following small and medium enterprises: the large local tech companies, Gulf tech companies, international tech companies 
4. Digital goods and products: the mandatory goods list, a priority for local developers and manufacturers
5. Investment: mandatory requirement for a technology localisation plan

• The documents required for evaluating local content:

1. Ministry of Labour: localisation report
2. Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority: startup card or startups (if any)
3. Certificate of Registration and Classification of Small and Medium Enterprises
4. Commercial Register Details
5. Submission of the local content plan

5) Project budget in Omani Rial (above 3 million Omani Rial):

• Methodology for Local Content Incentivisation: 

1. Adherence to the mandatory list Adherence to the mandatory list
2. Priority for the specified category of companies Priority for the specified category of companies

• Categories of companies:

1. Local tech startups
2. Local medium-sized tech companies
3. The large local tech companies

• Weight of the evaluation criterion for local content: 30%
• The elements required in the local content plan:

1. Localisation: at the company level: meets the localisation requirements according to the Ministry of Labour certificate. At the project level: 40%, adherence to the mandatory list of designated jobs
2. Micro, small, and medium enterprises: the mandatory list of technical services, subcontracting at least 30% for the large companies category
3. Developing local suppliers: investigated according to the following company categories: local tech startups, local small and medium-sized tech companies, companies are required to implement a "Supplier Development Program" to develop the following small and medium enterprises: the large local tech companies, Gulf tech companies, international tech companies 
4. Digital goods and products: the mandatory goods list, a priority for local developers and manufacturers
5. Investment: mandatory presence of a local entity, mandatory requirement for a technology localisation plan

• The documents required for evaluating local content:

1. Ministry of Labour: localisation report
2. Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority: startup card or startups (if any)
3. Certificate of Registration and Classification of Small and Medium Enterprises
4. Commercial Register Details
5. Submission of the local content plan

• The exception to this applies to companies that are directly assigned, such as those providing software licenses, with the necessity to negotiate and agree on a mechanism, methodology, and the size of investment in local content

To view the Local Content Enablement Framework for the ICT sector, click here

 For inquiries: tahfeez.tech@mtcit.gov.om

Contact Information of SAS Center

•  Phone and WhatsApp: +968 24166420
•  Email: Sas@mtcit.gov.om
•  Website: www.Sas.om