Muscat – Nama Water Services has significantly contributed to the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by allocating over RO40mn worth of contracts to SMEs in 2023, a senior official said.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to support SMEs through various programmes, notably the In-Country Value Programme, aimed at creating jobs, enhancing skills, reducing import dependence, and fostering the development of SMEs.

Dr Barakat bin Amin al Busaidi, Senior Director of Supply Chain Management at Nama Water Services, detailed the company’s efforts, while informing that the company “surpassed the milestone of RO40mn in contracts and purchases designated for SMEs in 2023”.

A key aspect of this support, Nama Water stated, includes awarding tenders and purchase orders to SMEs and ensuring that a portion of work on major projects is subcontracted to them.

Additionally, the company also holds training programmes for the SMEs to help them develop the skills needed for professionally preparing and submitting tenders. Busaidi pointed out that in continuing with its mission, Nama Water provided support to Riyada cardholders among the SMEs.

“Main contractors are encouraged to allocate at least 10% of project work to these enterprises, totalling over RO11mn in 2023.”

He also shed light on the company’s training initiatives for SMEs. These cover areas like health and safety, tender preparation and submission, and technical skills for water and sewage network projects. In 2023, three tenders worth over RO400,000 were awarded for water and sewage network projects.

Busaidi spoke about variety of works and projects assigned to SMEs, including water connections, meter installations, and sewage and treated water connections for private and government facilities. “Leak detection and transportation and customs clearance services are also part of the allocated projects.”

Busaidi revealed that Nama Water would like to raise the bidding ceiling from RO50,000 to RO500,000 in 2024. The company also intends to form a committee to train and develop SMEs in inspection fields.