Muscat: To help members navigate the present testing circumstances, Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC) organised a virtual ‘Tajribati’ session on key legal challenges faced by small businesses due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic.

Guiding SMEs and start-ups, Abdulredha Al Lawati, Partner in Global Advocacy and Legal Counsel offered licit strategies to face challenging circumstances. He urged small businesses to take an analytical step-by-step approach, and exercise diligence in following the steps. He offered an overview of the key legal issues which businesses need to consider in their operations. Al Lawati covered legal topics such as labour law, rent agreements, loans and payment agreement during the session.

Lauding  Zubair SEC for organising a session on an important topic, Al Lawati said, “As small businesses continue to be impacted by the unprecedented effects of COVID-19, legal issues have become a point of concern for most of them. During the session, I was happy to share some actionable information to help members navigate these uncertain times and find solutions during an unparalleled crisis. My presentation focused on best practices for managing legal risks.”

The virtual ‘Tajribati’ session was attended by members, small business entrepreneurs, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The ‘Tajribati’ series serves as a unique platform to connect business experts with start-up owners and new entrepreneurs to exchange views, discuss common challenges and share best practices.

Ali Shaker, Zubair SEC, said, “We chose this topic because several of our members wanted to know about the legal matters. Members raised concerns about legal consequences they had faced due to the earlier lockdown and closing of some commercial activities. Many of our members are not sure about their rights. By attending this session, they are now aware of the best practices that can protect them and how they can overcome the situation with the least damages and losses. The session helped many clear their legal concerns and confusions. The session discussed unprecedented legal challenges that are burdening small businesses as they continue to try to maintain operations during the COVID-19 crisis. We are grateful to Abdulredha Al Lawati for helping members identify and mitigate legal risks small businesses face.”

Members also learnt from some cases and experiences of some SMEs who managed to solve legal issues effectively. Members who had legal problems were offered appropriate advice at private sessions.

The ‘Tajribati’ series serves as a unique platform to connect industry experts with start-up owners and new entrepreneurs to exchange views, discuss common challenges and share best practices. The ‘Tajribati’ discussion series organised by Zubair SEC, a social responsibility initiative of The Zubair Corporation, is aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs and owners of small and medium enterprises.

The recent virtual Tajribati discussion sessions have been gaining very good momentum. Members and non-members share insights with their fellow entrepreneurs, discuss matters of concern, share knowledge and experience, and network in a friendly constructive atmosphere.

Source: https://timesofoman.com/article/session-focuses-on-legal-challenges-faced-by-smes-due-to-covid-19