The General Secretariat of Oman's Tender Board marked a significant step towards entrenching a more open and inclusive tendering system with the launch of the inaugural Development Projects Forum on May 13, 2024. Held under the patronage of Eng Badr bin Salem al Maamari, Secretary General – Oman Tender Board, the forum brought together over 300 companies and government officials in Muscat.
The forum centered on promoting fair competition and transparency in government tenders throughout 2024. Discussions highlighted the importance of accessible project data and clear tendering procedures. By providing this information upfront, companies of all sizes, both local and international, are empowered to prepare competitive bids.
This level playing field fosters a bidding process that ultimately awards contracts to the most qualified companies, ensuring efficient project execution and potentially lower costs. Eng Badr al Mamari emphasised the forum's role in promoting transparency and equal opportunities. He highlighted the significant increase in project tenders since 2021, attributing this partly to the increased visibility provided by such forums. The forum aligns perfectly with Oman Vision 2040's goals for economic growth. Equipping companies with project details in advance allows for better planning and resource allocation. This translates to efficient project execution, potentially leading to cost savings for the government and contributing to Oman's overall economic development.
The forum served as a platform to showcase a wide range of upcoming projects across Oman's governorates. These projects spanned various sectors, including infrastructure development (road construction, public facility upgrades), commercial ventures, and environmental initiatives. Specific projects highlighted included the Nizwa Gate activation, the Al Dakhiliyah Square development, and hospital and park construction projects. This focus on local participation extends beyond mere project announcements. The forum provided companies with ample time to prepare for tenders by offering insights into upcoming projects in Q3 and Q4 of 2024.
These projects included road works, public transportation services, and public facility maintenance. All tenders will be accessible electronically through the 'Esnad' system. The forum also addressed the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Eng Abdullah bin Humaid al Habsi, Head of the Project Follow-up Office, underscored the forum's significance in creating a platform for SMEs to explore project opportunities and collaborate with established players. The General Secretariat's initiatives to support SMEs include exempting them from registration fees and offering symbolic prices for tender documents, he said.
