MUSCAT : Oman plans to roll out about 84 initiatives under the second phase of its national digital economy programme for 2026–2030, expanding its focus to private businesses and priority industries, a transport and technology ministry official said.

The initiatives will target sectors including energy, manufacturing, transport and logistics, Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Balushi, head of programmes and projects at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, told in an interview.

The digital economy accounts for 9% of Oman’s gross domestic product, he said, adding that the next phase would seek to translate progress in government digital services into wider investment, business growth and employment.

More than 5,000 new technology jobs were created for Omanis over the past five years, while Omanisation in information and communications technology professions rose to about 72%, from 50% in 2022, according to Al Balushi.

The programme contracted about 250 companies during the previous phase, helping generate business activity and employment opportunities, he said.

Expansion into governorates

Oman also plans to establish digital transformation centres in its governorates as part of a broader government push towards decentralisation, Al Balushi said.

The centres will aim to attract investment, create jobs and develop digital projects suited to each governorate’s competitive strengths. Support for private businesses and governorates will run alongside continued development of government digital services.

Around 3,000 government services have been simplified and digitised, and about 30 smart applications have been launched, he said. Use of electronic government services reached roughly 2.5 times its earlier level.

National AI model to reach more users

Al Balushi said Oman would gradually expand access to its national language model, “Ma’een AI”, which is being tested by a limited number of government employees.

Access will be extended to all government employees before the model is made available to the public, he said, adding that a wider rollout requires sufficient infrastructure and computing capacity.

Al Balushi also cited work on a special economic zone for artificial intelligence startups, satellite launches by Omani companies and the start of operations at a rocket launch facility in Al Wusta governorate, where he said two successful test launches had been conducted.

The next phase will place greater emphasis on using digital technologically to develop productive industries and expand economic activity, he said.

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