The first batch of participants will graduate after a year-long course that included sessions in Oman Singapore and Switzerland.

They are part of a 100-strong cadre of Omanis that the programme hopes to train by 2018. A separate programme for the public sector is planned thereafter.

'The aim is obviously to develop senior leaders who can make a difference in the private sector' said Lynn Sadler director NCP at a press conference on Sunday.

The application process for the second batch (35 participants) was also announced. Applicants will undergo a comprehensive two-month interview process before the final batch is selected in May and training begins in September.

Officials said the programme is working towards making Omanisation in top positions a reality. 'We really needed to train Omanis for leadership positions in the private sector' said Dr Ali Qassim Jawad chairman of the programme's advisory committee. 'That's one of the areas there's a gap in the Omanisation process especially at that level.'

Officials are hoping the training will have a multiplier effect: First on the leaders as individuals then on the organisation and finally on the sector as a whole. 'The request came as we really need to train at least 100 CEOs in the private sector' said Dr Jawad. 'With the size of the private sector we have that was the suggested number.'

The programme is being managed by the Institute of Capacity Development at the Diwan of the Royal Court in cooperation with the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development.

A separate advisory committee comprising top CEOs oversees the programme.

Selected participants hold positions just below CEO in the hope that they will be able to redefine the position after graduating.

Officials said they aimed at a diverse pool of participants to help maximise the effect they would have on the private sector.

Participants represent seven out of the 11 governorates. 'They represent different economic sectors and around 35 per cent are from small and medium enterprises according to Dr Jawad.

Lynn said the programme's design is an asset. 'It really is tailored for Oman and it's very definitely got that on its side' she said. 'What you've got is very much a core of this is about Oman and Oman's private sector so it's quite targeted and focused on that.'

She said this programme and a potential public sector version could make an important impact. 'If you get understanding and collaboration and cooperation between private and public what you've got is the opportunity to really make a difference.'

NCP is one of the initiatives of Sharaka a national public-private partnership taskforce comprising of six ministers and an equal number of private sector representatives.

Sharaka aims to enhance the private sector's contribution in national development.