900 Sanad Centres Boost Omani Employment: What This Means for Job Creation and Business Growth in Oman
MUSCAT: A forum commemorating the 20th anniversary of Sanad Service Centres was held yesterday, January 7, in Muscat under the patronage of Dr. Khamis bin Saif al Jabri, Chairman of the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit.
The event, organised by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), was attended by Qais bin Mohammed al Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, along with senior officials, representatives from both government and private sectors, and owners of Sanad Service Centres.
Since their establishment in 2006, approximately 900 Sanad Service Centres operate nationwide, handling over one million electronic transactions annually. These centres have played a significant role in creating around 2,350 job opportunities for Omani youth, thereby supporting employment and workforce participation.
In his welcoming remarks, Mohammed bin Salim al Mashaikhi, Director of the Sanad Service Centres Department at MoCIIP, emphasized that the forum symbolizes partnership and integration, highlighting efforts to improve service quality and strengthen the centres’ community role. He noted that over two decades, Sanad Service Centres have successfully developed their service ecosystem, expanded operations, and adopted best practices, serving as an effective bridge between authorities and the public.
Al Mashaikhi also underscored the centres’ role in streamlining procedures and enhancing customer experience through services that simplify processes and promote public-private sector collaboration.
Several key initiatives were announced during the forum. The On-the-Job Training Initiative, launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, aims to create over 1,000 job opportunities for Omani youth by equipping them with practical skills tailored to labour market demands.
The Ministry introduced the Sanad Excellence Award to recognise outstanding centres, promote best practices, and raise institutional performance standards.
Additionally, the Munjaz Card was unveiled, authorizing Sanad Service Centres to complete transactions on behalf of beneficiaries with government and private entities. This card is expected to expedite processes, reduce administrative burdens, and improve service accessibility and efficiency.
A new Sanad Service Centres Classification Initiative was also launched to elevate service quality and excellence, establishing clear performance criteria, supporting professional development, and fostering operational efficiency and sustainability.
The forum featured the signing of five significant agreements:
1. With the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology to integrate the Unified Government Services Portal with the Sanad electronic portal.
2. With the Supreme Judicial Council to link its services to the Sanad electronic portal.
3. With the Development Bank to integrate banking services with Sanad Centres.
4. Under the Government Banking Services initiative, a programme with Bank Dhofar to connect its services to the Sanad electronic portal.
5. A programme with private-sector technology company Aqari Platform (Frontech) to integrate its services with Sanad Centres.
These initiatives and partnerships mark a significant advancement in enhancing the functionality, reach, and impact of Sanad Service Centres across Oman.
Special Analysis by Omanet | Navigate Oman’s Market
The 20-year milestone of Sanad Service Centres marks a pivotal moment for Oman’s public-private service ecosystem, highlighting vast opportunities for business growth and digital integration. The launch of initiatives like the On-the-Job Training and Sanad Excellence Award presents strategic openings for investors to participate in workforce development and service quality enhancement. Smart entrepreneurs should now consider leveraging the expanding network and technological partnerships to streamline government-facing services and tap into Oman’s evolving digital economy.
