MUSCAT : The Ministry pointed out that the ‘Open Government Data Policy, issued in 2020 by the former Ministry of Technology and Communications, plays a crucial role in this vision by setting basic standards for open data and facilitating its availability.

This was indicated at a meeting hosted by the ministry – represented by the National Center for Space, Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies – on open data, which brought together representatives from various government agencies.

The meeting aimed to emphasize the importance of open data in improving and enhancing the readiness of government services, introduce best practices in data collection and dissemination, and share the experiences of successful government institutions in this field.

Hamdan Al Alawi, Director of the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies, opened the meeting with a keynote speech. He stated, “Data is of great importance in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of operations at various levels carried out by institutions, starting with planning and decision-making, then implementation and quality assurance, and ending with development, business improvement, and final outputs.”

He explained the different types of data, including classified data, open data, and big data. He highlighted that classified data is protected by law and accessible only to authorized entities, whereas open data is available from various government agencies for public use without restrictions. Big data, which encompasses large sets of unstructured data from diverse sources, is used for deep analyses and predictions.

He further stressed the significance of open data, saying, “Data is the main nerve that gives these technologies their added value in various areas of life. The global trend is to make data available in an open format for all Internet users to benefit from the data generated by various government and private entities.”

During the meeting, the Oman Open Data portal, developed in cooperation with Rihal Company, was reviewed. This platform will serve as a central reference for all open data published by government agencies, making it easier for citizens and institutions to access and benefit from this data. The platform’s management and development will be overseen by the National Center for Space and Advanced Technology and Artificial Intelligence to ensure its sustainability and alignment with national and international policies and standards.

The meeting also included a review of the national data strategy, which aims to organize the management and implementation of the open data policy across government sectors under the ministry’s supervision.

Several government agencies that have successfully implemented open data principles were honored during the event. These included the Environment Authority, the Muscat Municipality, the State Audit Institution, the Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, the Financial Services Authority, the Dhofar Municipality, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ).

This meeting is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about the importance of open data, enhance understanding of its benefits, and motivate government agencies to begin publishing open data, thereby improving Oman’s readiness index for artificial intelligence.

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