Oman will allocate plots for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in key locations around the sultanate as early as this month, a senior official in a report.

The move marks an important step in the government’s efforts to accelerate the growth of a vibrant SME sector in the country, Khalid bin al Safi al Huraibi, deputy CEO for operations at the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Riyada), was quoted as saying in an Oman Daily Observer report.

He added that the authority hopes to start the allocation process this month, and online applications are currently open for plot allocations in the wilayats of Bahla, Ibri and Salalah.

Al Huraibi noted that the allocation of plots for Omani SMEs is in line with key recommendations emerging from the National SME Symposium held in January 2013, and endorsed at a follow-up summit held at Sultan Qaboos University in January 2015.

He added that in interest of fairness, transparency and equitable allocation of plots, applications must be filled and submitted online.