OQ
Signs RO 20 Million Agreement to Fund Establishment of Youth Centre in Muscat

Muscat,
26 Oct 2026 (ONA) — OQ Group has signed an agreement worth RO 20 million to
fund the construction of the new Youth Centre headquarters in Muscat. The
agreement reinforces the Group’s commitment to social investment and developing
national talent by creating more opportunities for young Omanis to build their
skills, innovate and pursue entrepreneurship.

The
agreement was signed during the Omani Youth Day celebrations that were patronized
by HH Sayyid Bilarab bin Haitham Al Said, Minister of State and Governor of
Muscat.

The
agreement highlights the importance of investing in young people and providing
an environment where they can turn their ideas into projects that create
economic and social value. The new headquarters will offer a range of
facilities designed to support skills development, practical learning and
entrepreneurship, including business incubators, co-working spaces, innovation
and manufacturing facilities, training halls and modern creative studios.

The
agreement was signed by Khalid Said Al Shuaibi, Chairman of the Board of
Directors of the Youth Centre, and Jasim Hassan Al Ajmi, Vice President of
Sustainability and Communications at OQ.

Commenting
on the agreement, Ashraf Hamed Al Mamari, Group Chief Executive Officer of OQ,
said: “OQ’s contribution to the new Youth Centre headquarters supports the
government’s efforts, led by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, and
builds on the Centre’s work to empower young Omanis. It also reflects our
commitment to investing in sustainable national projects that place people at
the heart of Oman’s development. We believe the new headquarters will build on
the Centre’s achievements and provide a dynamic environment where young people
can develop their skills, exchange knowledge and turn their ideas into
meaningful projects that contribute to Oman’s economic diversification.”

Khalid
Said Al Shuaibi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Youth Centre,
welcomed OQ’s contribution, saying: “OQ’s contribution to the construction of
the new Youth Centre headquarters in Muscat demonstrates the vital role the
private sector can play in supporting projects that create lasting social
value. It also provides a strong example of public-private collaboration and
how social investment can be directed towards sustainable initiatives that
develop young people’s capabilities and broaden their opportunities.

Al
Shuaibi added: “The new headquarters will be an important addition to Oman’s
youth development landscape, offering an integrated environment that nurtures
talent and supports youth-led initiatives. It will provide young people with
the tools and opportunities to develop their skills, explore new ideas and
pursue innovation, enabling them to make a greater contribution to economic and
social development in line with Oman Vision 2040.

Al
Shuaibi noted that the “The value of this initiative extends well beyond the
financial contribution. Its lasting impact will be measured by the
opportunities it creates for young Omanis to realise their potential. We
sincerely thank OQ for its support and look forward to seeing the Centre become
a leading example of how effective collaboration can deliver meaningful and
lasting benefits to society.”

The
project demonstrates the value of collaboration between the public and private
sectors and organisations dedicated to youth development. By investing in
infrastructure that supports young people’s ambitions, it will help create
opportunities for future generations while advancing Oman Vision 2040 priorities
for human capital development and economic diversification.

The
new headquarters is expected to support approximately 3,000 small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through its services and facilities, while the
Centre is projected to deliver more than 1,000 training programmes. Social
Return on Investment (SROI) estimates indicate that every RO 1 invested in the
project could generate approximately RO 11.4 in social and economic value over
10 years of operation. The economic value associated with direct employment
opportunities is also expected to reach approximately RO 3 million.

The
agreement builds on OQ’s Social Investment Strategy, which focuses on
education, skills development, economic prosperity and community engagement. In
2025, the Group allocated approximately RO 12 million across 256 initiatives,
benefiting more than 23,600 people. More than 1,300 employees also contributed
over 21,000 hours of volunteering. Education and economic prosperity accounted
for 55% of the funding, while 19% was allocated to youth and citizenship
initiatives.

OQ
also continues to invest in national talent through training and professional
development programmes. In early 2026, the OQ Graduate Skills Development
Programme, delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, welcomed 130
graduates. The Group also supports specialised training and leadership
development through programmes such as Takatuf, Tamayuz and Edaad, alongside
initiatives in science, technology and innovation that equip young Omanis with
the skills needed for employment and emerging opportunities.

OQ’s
commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship also extends to its Research,
Development and Innovation Centre, which provides mentoring and technical
expertise to help develop new solutions and support emerging businesses,
turning knowledge and ideas into economic opportunities.

The
new Youth Centre headquarters will build on these efforts by bringing learning,
collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship together under one roof. Through
this investment, OQ continues to support the development of Omani youth,
helping to build a more diversified, prosperous and sustainable future for Oman.

—Ends/AG