Ibri – The Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED) inaugurated two projects in Dhahirah governorate on Tuesday – the Entrepreneurship Centre for Handicraft Industries in Dhank and the Omani Craft House in Ibri.

The projects were inaugurated under the patronage of Halima bint Rashid Al Zaria, Chairperson of ASMED.

The Entrepreneurship Centre has been established as part of national efforts to empower craftsmen, develop Omani handicraft products and enhance the sustainability of the sector. It provides a specialised environment for training, production and innovation, helping improve the skills of artisans while encouraging them to expand their businesses.

The centre houses facilities dedicated to traditional crafts closely linked to Omani heritage, including palm frond weaving, textile weaving, embroidery and sewing. It also includes training and production spaces aimed at improving product quality and meeting evolving market requirements.

The Omani Craft House in Ibri will serve as a dedicated platform for displaying and marketing locally made handicraft products. Located in one of Dhahirah’s busiest commercial areas, it is expected to support craftsmen and entrepreneurs, enhance the economic value of craft products and strengthen links between the handicraft, tourism and commercial sectors.

According to ASMED, the projects reflect its commitment to developing the handicraft industry through an integrated approach that combines training, production and marketing. The initiative seeks to enable craftsmen to transform their skills into sustainable businesses while preserving Oman’s rich craft heritage, creating new economic opportunities and supporting local development in Dhahirah.

As part of the initiative, ASMED has also launched a training programme on the fundamentals of sewing and entrepreneurship. The programme aims to equip participants with essential technical and business skills, promote an entrepreneurial culture and enable trainees to establish and manage their own enterprises. It is also expected to expand self-employment opportunities and contribute to the long-term sustainability of small and medium enterprises.