Roadmap to support digital transformation of Oman
MUSCAT: Comex 2021, the Sultanate’s annual ‘Communications and Informational Technology Exhibition’, was formally launched on Sunday by Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.
The virtual forum, focusing on the theme, “Digital Transformation and Accelerated Adoption of the Future of Artificial Intelligence”, has more than 10 government institutions, in addition to around 80 private sector companies in attendance. It showcases the latest trends and developments in the ICT arena, as well as highlights initiatives by government entities to drive Oman’s digital transformation.
In addition to the annual exhibition, the six-day long forum will also recognise leading players in the field of ICT. Furthermore, as many as 16 panel discussions will focus on the most important digital development in health, tourism, banking, finance, mining and education. Several agreements are due to be signed on the sidelines as well.
In opening remarks, the Chief Guest said Comex 2021 will showcase an array of e-government services and demonstrate how they are revolutionising the delivery of government services. He stressed the importance of digitalisation to the Vision 2040 strategy. This year’s forum will also highlight the growing role of Artificial Intelligence and related technologies in digital transformation.
The ministry, said Al Maawali, has been keen to play a pivotal role in Oman’s Vision 2040 by building a thriving digital economy, through the implementation of a number of national projects and initiatives, including: digital transformation initiatives in government and economic sectors, artificial intelligence initiatives, stimulating startups, small, medium and large, and creating income-generating opportunities as well as supporting technical innovation and attracting technical investments from within and outside Oman.
The coronavirus pandemic, he noted, has spurred governments and private sector organisations to turn to digital technology to overcome the challenges posed by the virus. The transformation is now evident in various fields of education, commercial, health, industrial and other fields, he said.
He stressed that the ministry was ready to provide all forms of technical and technological support to government and private institutions with the aim of developing their electronic systems to be able to provide a higher quality of services to students and other sections of the community.
On the sidelines of the opening, participants celebrated WorldTelecommunications and Information Society Day, where a speech was presented by the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union.
The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in cooperation with all government institutions has prepared a framework and an integrated national roadmap for the digital transformation of the government.
The blueprint takes into account the trends and future ambitions of Oman to complete the digitisation of government services and benefit from the use of emerging technologies in the empowerment and development of the working environment in the public sector, as well as working with various entities to determine the strategic direction of a thriving digital economy in keeping with Oman’s Vision 2040 strategies.
In the 2020 UN E-Government Survey, Oman was ranked 24th internationally and second in the Gulf and Arab in the electronic services development index, and salary.
The 50th international e-government development index, and in the Network Readiness Report, Oman ranked 44th out of 134 countries in 2020, and in the International Cybersecurity Readiness Index, Oman ranked 16th in the world out of 175 countries in 2020.