Plans are afoot to classify contractors in Oman in bid to open up opportunities for the whole segment of the contracting community and to create a level playing field, said a report.

The proposal has been submitted by the Oman Society of Contractors (OSC) to the government and is awaiting response, reported Oman Observer, citing officials at the OSC.

The classification will be able to highlight a company's ability and quality to implement projects, they said.

The OSC has about 110 members, but the sector is bigger than that, which is why now the society is taking steps to encourage the smaller and medium contracting companies to join it to be represented.

"It will bring in benefits to the contractors themselves, whether they are large or small companies, the clients or whether they are individual consumers and it will definitely be a benefit for the government," remarked Shaswar al Balushi, the chief executive of OSC.

The classification is expected to reduce many of the challenges that are faced today by the contracting sector in the country such as manpower and contractual related issues, he stated.

According to him, the society will classify large companies, medium and small-sized companies.

"It will enable the contractors to benchmark themselves and get an insight on how to improve themselves to move forward," added Al Balushi.

The certification of classification will be issued by OSC as it is an independent body representing the sector.

"We have reached the final stage now. The package is being reviewed by both the ministries for both respective ministers to take the decisions," he added.