Strategic
Agreement Signed to Support Professional Competency Development Initiatives

Muscat,
16 Feb 2026 (ONA) — Oman Energy Association (OPAL) signed a strategic
cooperation agreement today in Muscat with the Saudi company Takamol Holding to
develop professional competencies and enhance skill and qualification
accreditation systems, thereby contributing to the improvement of labor market
outputs.

The
agreement was signed on behalf of Oman Energy Association by Eng. Mohammed Hamoud
Al Naabi, CEO of Opal, while Fowzan Almuhaidib, Executive Vice
President, signed on behalf of the Takamol Holding. The signing ceremony was
attended by Khalid Salim Al Ghamari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour
for Labour Affairs.

The
agreement aims to facilitate cooperation in implementing the professional accreditation
system (Professional Licensing Program) approved by OPAL, in addition to
developing and implementing effective verification mechanisms to measure the
skills and competencies of recruited professional labor before they enter the
labor market in the Sultanate of Oman.

Al
Naabi emphasized that this partnership reflects the OPAL’s continuous
commitment to developing professional standards and enhancing professional
accreditation and licensing systems. He noted that this aligns with sector
requirements and supports labor market regulation and national Omanization
targets in accordance with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040. Furthermore, he
highlighted its contribution to strengthening the frameworks of Gulf
cooperation and enhancing the smooth transition of professional talent among
GCC countries.

For
his part, Fowzan Almuhaidib explained that the agreement represents a
strategic step in the path of regional cooperation. He affirmed the company’s
keenness to utilize its advanced technical expertise in developing and
operating digital platforms and professional verification and examination
systems, which enhances labor market efficiency, raises the reliability of
skill assessment systems, and supports the professional development of the
workforce across various sectors and levels.

The
scope of cooperation also includes technical and technological integration
between relevant systems, the incorporation of approved professional standards
and question banks within the professional examination system, and studying the
establishment and operation of testing centers in labor-sending countries.
These centers will operate according to approved operational regulations,
quality systems, and compliance standards to ensure the integrity of procedures
and the accuracy of outputs.

This
agreement comes as an extension of the efforts of both parties to develop a
professional environment based on efficiency and transparency, and to raise the
quality of evaluation and accreditation systems, contributing to the
enhancement of labor market competitiveness and supporting sustainable
development in the Sultanate of Oman.

—Ends/AG