A total of 250 employees have signed up to Baader¹ project which grants them up to seven working days off work per calendar year to engage in helping those in need.

 Eighty PDO staff have already begun work with eight NGOs including the Oman Cancer Association, Dar Al Atta, the Oman Association for the Disabled, the Oman Down Syndrome Association, the Early Intervention Association and the Al Noor Association for the Blind.

 So far, they have devoted their time and expertise in areas such as information technology, human resources and administration, public relations and marketing, communications, archiving, finance, accounting, translation and event management.

 PDO External Affairs Director Abdul-Amir Al Ajmi said: “PDO has a vast pool of skill and capability in many disciplines and we believe we should put some of this at the country’s disposal in line with our obligations as a good corporate citizen. The Baader project is part of the Company’s ongoing support for creating a better world and I am delighted so many of our staff have stepped up to show the true spirit of compassion at PDO.”

 The Company also today (4 October) signed a series of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) committing the Company to fund activities of 18 NGOs over the next 15 months once they have submitted costed proposals in support of particular activities.

 A special signing ceremony was held under the auspices of His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Said bin Saif al Kalbani, Minister of Social Development involving PDO directors and NGO representatives at the Company’s headquarters at Mina Al Fahal.

 During the event, some of the Baader volunteers gave presentations showcasing the work they have done so far. This includes setting up a new centre and building a new website for the Oman Down Syndrome Association, the donation and connection of 12 decommissioned computers to the Association for Early Intervention for Children with Disabilities, developing a membership database for the Oman Association for the Disabled, education, outreach, training and support programmes for the Oman Cancer Association, and backing a beach clean-up at Al Ghubrah for the Environment Society of Oman.

 PDO Managing Director Raoul Restucci said: “PDO’s social investment initiatives are directed at where we can make a tangible, positive and lasting difference the lives of Omanis by targeting our funds, skills and expertise at those who most need them.

 “Through these latest initiatives, and with the sterling backing of our staff, we are proud to be able to support so many worthy groups which contribute so much to helping the disadvantaged and the wider community and environment.”

 The 18 NGOs which PDO has committed to support through the MoUs are: the Oman Cancer Association, Dar Al Atta, the Early Intervention Association, Al Noor Association for the Blind, the Oman Association for the Disabled, the Environment Society of Oman, the Hereditary Blood Disorder Association, the Oman Down Syndrome Association, the Children First Association, the Association for the Welfare of Handicapped Children, the Oman Diabetes Association, the Oman Alzheimer’s Society, the Oman Road Safety Association, the Omani Association for Elderly Friends, the Oman Society of Engineers, the Omani Astronomical Association, the Geological Society of Oman, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers (Oman).​