Sohar Aluminium recently held the “Sohar Ideathon 2020” - an idea generation session that was held in collaboration with Sohar University. The event was aimed at generating feasible ideas for the development of Small and Medium size downstream and/or upstream businesses for Sohar Aluminium in its vicinity. The event was attended by members of the company’s Management Team, Management, faculty and students of Sohar University, representatives of government entities that are concerned with developing and supporting SMEs, as well as potential business representatives and entrepreneurs.

Sohar Aluminium produces high-quality Aluminium in liquid and solid form that can be used for further transformation into a wide range of final products. The company is also a big consumer of spare parts, consumables and services.

During the event, Ali Al Shamsi, General Manager Special Mandate at Sohar Aluminium said: "We, at Sohar Aluminium, endeavour to develop the aluminium sector in Oman that will serve as stepping-stones in further growth of the region and increase In-Country Value for Oman while providing ideal entrepreneurial opportunities for young Omanis. By partnering with Sohar University, we aim to strengthen collaboration and ties with academic entities in the field of Research and Development.

The event saw 6 teams competing to produce proposals for the new potential businesses. These were presented to a Judging Committee comprising members from Sohar Aluminium and Sohar University, that evaluated the ideas to select the winners. The proposal entitled “Oman Aluminium Outlet” was ranked the winner. It is a low cost and high technology idea to create a digital platform for distributing Aluminium from Sohar Aluminium to small consumers across Oman. This will help in supporting Sohar Aluminium to strengthen its efforts to boost the Aluminium industry locally and eventually develop the national economy and its diversification.

Other participating teams presented a range of interesting ideas which they are committed and keen to pursue further. Sohar Ideathon 2020 also helped in creating a network of 50 people who aspire to take up entrepreneurship and develop their own businesses.

Sohar Aluminium was formed in September 2004 to undertake a landmark Greenfield aluminium smelter project in the Sultanate of Oman. It is jointly owned by OQ S.A.O.C, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC - TAQA and Rio Tinto.