MUSCAT : The session brought together key stakeholders to explore policies, legislation, and licensing requirements that govern banking services for SMEs. Participants also discussed factors supporting the sector, such as partnership and training programmes, incentives, facilities, incubators, business accelerators, and financing.

The session emphasised the importance of partnerships between banking institutions and SMEs to enhance the banking services system and identify the challenges that limit the improvement of institutions’ performance and enhance their competitiveness.

By the end of March 2025, the number of SMEs registered with the Authority had reached approximately 149,219, of which 27,611, from various governorates, had obtained an entrepreneurship card.

This session is part of a series of dialogue meetings organised by the Authority to enhance public-private partnerships, empower small and medium-sized enterprises to address challenges, achieve sustainable growth, and foster an entrepreneurial environment.

The session was attended by Her Excellency Halima bint Rashid Al Zariyah, Chairperson of the Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Rashid bin Zayed Al Ghassani, Deputy Executive President for Supervision and Regulation at the Central Bank of Oman, and a number of officials, specialists, and representatives of small and medium enterprises.

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