The conclusion of a series of workshops in Oman marked the beginning of three projects valued at OMR15.4 million ($40 million), eight investment opportunities worth OMR19 million ($49.35 million), and 20 empowerment initiatives aimed at fostering growth and vibrancy in the cultural and innovative industries.
Read more: Three new megaprojects to change the face of Oman
The closing ceremony was held under the patronage of Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham al Said, Oman’s Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth.
Yousef, Oman’s minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, and chairman of the 2nd Steering Committee of Development Workshops for Creative and Cultural Industries, stated that the workshops played a crucial role in improving comprehension of the sector, its investment potential, and governance framework. According to the minister, the workshops were deemed vital in enabling collaboration among stakeholders and identifying essential capabilities for the sector’s sustainable growth.
Achieving self-sustainability in the creative industries
For her part, Aisha bint Mohammed al Saifiyah, vice president of the National Investment and Export Development Program – Nazdaher, highlighted that the objective of the workshops is to achieve self-sustainability in the creative industries. According to her, these industries are considered highly promising sectors, and the aim is to foster the development of larger projects and investment opportunities.
Film city project
Nader bin Nasser al Rawahi, representing the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth in the Oman Vision 2040 Follow-up Unit, provided details of the workshop outcomes, which included a film city project with an OMR12 million investment, aimed at becoming a regional leader in film production and creating job opportunities for over 100 Omanis in its first year.
Showcasing the Omani creativity in the Ebdaa Park
Furthermore, new details were revealed about the Ebdaa Park, which is designed to showcase Omani creativity with an investment of OMR2.2 million, and the Yaj project, a collaboration with an Italian company focused on attracting global conferences and exhibitions to Oman, with an investment of OMR1.1 million.
Attracting creative individuals and investors
Aisha al Saifiyah explained that there are ongoing efforts to expand the development of the sector beyond the capital city and attract creative individuals and investors to the interior regions of the country. To accomplish this goal, proposals have been made for a jewelry design center in Nizwa, cultural experience centers in Suhar, Bahla, and Nizwa, a film city in Khazaen, Barka, and a virtual reality center in Madinat al Irfan.
Investment opportunities in cultural experience centers
Tariq bin Hatem al Shanfari, senior investment analyst at Nazdaher, shed light on investment opportunities in the cultural experience centers, including the revitalization of Oman’s castles and forts as cultural hubs for citizens, residents, and tourists alike. Oman boasts nearly 20 archaeological sites, some of which are also available for investment, he said.
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