MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, on Monday, urged private sector companies to develop locally manufactured products, and improve their quality to be a preferred choice for consumers and to be able to compete in global markets.

During the meeting with some business people, owners of SMEs and emerging companies in Oman, His Majesty the Sultan stressed the importance of the private sector contributing to driving the national policy of local content towards success, through localizing industries and giving priority in its purchases and tenders to local products, which contributes to providing job opportunities for citizens, reduces dependence on imports, enhances the volume of exports, and increases the value of the gross domestic product.