Oman Daily Observer: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos has issued two Royal grants in favour of citizens operating in craft industries. The first grant came in support of craft industries and crafts people, providing them with necessary equipment, maintenance of crafts sites and covering the cost of research. The second grant provides for the setting up of three centres for crafts production and training in the governorates of Musandam and Al Buraimi and the Al Dhahirah region. Shaikha Aisha bint Khalfan al Siyabiyah, Chairperson of the Public Authority for Craft Industries (Paci), said that His Majesty the Sultan's directives are aimed to promote the crafts sector in the Sultanate.

She pointed out that a mechanism to support craft industries and craftsmen is concerned with supporting research studies to promote crafts sector through the development of existing industries and merging marketing methods and market research. Al Siyabiyah explained that part of the grant will be allocated for the setting up and maintenance of crafts sites in various governorates and regions in the Sultanate. She pointed out that the Paci is embarked on drafting plans to better utilise this support in laying down conditions and relevant criteria for distributing the assistance.

Part of the grant will be allocated for Paci's youth training programmes. The aim is to encourage young people to pursue ventures of their choice within the field of craft industries. Al Siyabiyah expressed the confidence that such encouragement will considerably help promote craft industries and open up business opportunities for Omani youth. With regard to His Majesty's grant to set up three centres for production and craft training in Musandam and the Al Buraimi Governorates and the Al Dhahirah region, Al Siyabiyah said this grant comes in continuation of earlier Royal grants to set up four craft centres in Dhofar Governorate.

The services of these centres are expected to be available for craftsmen by the 1st quarter of 2009. The centres are provided with all facilities needed by craftsmen, as well as training, marketing, welfare lounges and administration offices, she added. Shaikha Aisha affirmed that Paci has suitable criteria for the development of specialised small and medium craft projects.