Three best-performing companies receive Sultan Qaboos Award for Industrial Excellence

Muscat: Oman’s best performing companies were honoured by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry here on Tuesday by presenting these firms with Sultan Qaboos Award for Industrial Excellence 2015.
The event, which was attended by high-profile ministers including Darwish bin Ismail Al Balushi, minister responsible for financial affairs and Eng. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, minister of commerce and industry, coincided with the Sultanate’s industry day celebrations.
Jindal Shadeed Iron and Steel, Oman Indian Fertiliser Company and Bin Salim Manufacturing Company have bagged the coveted award for 2015, which were presented by Lt. General Hassan bin Mohsen Al Shariqi, inspector general of police and customs, here on Tuesday.
The first two companies were selected in major companies’ category, while the third one was in the category of medium industries.“The response (from private sector) was almost the same this year compared to last year,” Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, told journalists, after the award function. This year as many as 24 companies participated in the competition, compared to 25 last year. “The selection process was rigorous this year,” add Eng. Al Dheeb.
The award, first initiated by the ministry in 1991, signifies the success of the private sector firms in achieving ministry targets and raises their international profiles.
Top-level officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and top-level businessmen from private sector have attended the function.
This year’s competition has been completely revamped and new evaluation measures are implemented. The ministry evaluated the industries much deeper and professionally than previous years.From November 2015 to January 2016, the evaluation team has conducted field visits at the premises of participating firms.
The main aim of the competition is to award industries, which have excelled in their performance.
The assessment methodology for Sultan Qaboos Award for Industrial Excellence (which was formerly known as HM Cup for Best Factories) was restructured under a new framework. In line with the best internationally established practices, the award was based on the principles of total quality management system. This includes criteria related to leadership, personnel, manufacturing process, supplier development, safety, environment and social responsibility and business performance.
Eng. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi also presided over an inter-active meeting with businessmen to address their concerns and issues in the industrial sector.