The Omani Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion has launched the first phase of the Kafaah Competence Program for Manufacturing, a key initiative aimed at strengthening the industrial sector’s readiness for smart manufacturing and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.
The Kafaah program seeks to enhance operational and production efficiency, improve the competitiveness of Omani industries, and support the goals of Oman Vision 2040 and the National Industrial Strategy.
The launch ceremony was held under the patronage of Eng. Ghalib Said Al Ma’amari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Commerce and Industry.
Kafaah is the result of a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), and the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn). The initiative aims to help national factories adopt global best practices in operational excellence and continuous improvement.
During the ceremony, project agreements were signed with nine participating companies and factories.
The first phase marks a significant milestone for the program, requiring each participating factory to implement a practical project based on the Lean Six Sigma methodology. Completion of the project is a prerequisite for participation in the qualifying workshop and obtaining Green Belt certification.
Key focus areas of Kafaah program
The Kafaah program focuses on reducing waste, lowering operational costs, improving product quality by minimizing production delays and errors, developing national talent, strengthening continuous improvement capabilities, and enhancing in-country value (ICV) through more efficient supply chains and greater localization of manufacturing processes.
An introductory presentation on the program was also delivered during the event. In its initial phase, Kafaah targets eligible factories across several high-potential industrial sectors. The improvement projects are expected to generate annual financial savings exceeding $909,090 (RO 350,000) for participating factories, supported by certified experts and specialists overseeing implementation.
