The Port of Salalah was among Oman's 20 companies which sponsored SANAD 2012 Awards, organized by the Ministry of Manpower to highlight and reward self-employment projects and developing SME businesses.

The SANAD program was established in 2001 at the directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos to encourage young people and low-income families to set up their own enterprises and contribute to the recruitment of people in local areas. SANAD has played a positive role in encouraging and establishing hundreds of successful startups that have brought a return on investment to the owner and the government.

The SANAD awards are held every two years and recognize various success stories across industries and all regions of Oman in order to encourage entrepreneurship. Winners are given a medal and cash prize in a ceremony honoring over 25 projects from around Oman.

Ahmed Akaak, DCEO at Port of Salalah, commented on the importance of private sector contribution towards the SANAD and the significance in nurturing SME initiatives that contribute to the local economy, adding that in marking 10 years since the start of the SANAD awards, Port of Salalah has a duty to contribute to such programs which result in a consistently positive impact.