Programme to empower owners of small business projects concludes

Sohar: A programme codenamed Ruwaj, organised by the Youth Centre in partnership with Sohar Port and Free Zone, concluded in the Wilayat of Sohar on Wednesday. The programme included a training course on empowering owners of small business projects and youth products and enhancing the projects and products' readiness to compete and grow in the market.The closing ceremony was held under the auspices of Mohammed bin Suleiman Al Kindi, Governor of North Al Batinah. Ruwaj programme benefited 100 young men and women, aged between 20 and 34 years, from North Al Batinah Governorate. It focused on helping participants convert their ideas and products into tangible projects that are capable of growing in a sustainable manner and competing in the market.The programme dealt with key topics related to the needs of business owners, including initiating and developing products, market analysis, marketing, pricing strategies, skills of persuasion and negotiation. It also included designing brand identity, visual marketing, managing stores through social media platforms and the fundamentals of financial management of small businesses.The programme concluded with an exhibition at Sohar Bazaar featuring top 30 participating projects, as well as a presentation on selling in a market-simulating environment, giving the participants a practical opportunity to test the readiness of their projects, identify customer needs and benefit from the skills they gained in marketing.