Muscat – The first-ever electronic platform for people with disabilities was launched at Grand Millennium Muscat on Wednesday.

Qadiroon hosts 100 sustainable projects and aims to highlight specialised outlets offering shopping and direct electronic sale of all types of products of interest to people with disabilities.

The platform was introduced in 2007 in Saudi Arabia and has had success in other Arab countries, including Qatar, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates before being launched in Oman.

The launch was held during a forum named after the e-platform organised under the auspices of H H Sayyid Fahr bin Fatik al Said by the Ministry of Labour in cooperation with Asas Muscat.

During the Qadiroon forum, a cooperation agreement was signed between Asas and Ishraqa Institute – Khimji Ramdas’ social development wing. The agreement aims to provide training and rehabilitation programmes to empower the disabled.

Speaking about the e-platform, a senior official of Asas Muscat said, “Considering Oman has a large population of disabled people – 42,000, according to the most recent figures – we thought it best to introduce the platform in the sultanate.”

She added that there is social awkwardness when it comes to dealing with people with disabilities.

She informed that Asas collaborated with Qadiroon in 2019 and was able to provide 70 jobs to people with disabilities. “The platform will provide more employment opportunities for people with disabilities.”

The forum touched on indices and statistics on people with disabilities in the country as well as efforts made by government and private establishments to help this segment of society address issues that they may face in the labour market.