Muscat – The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), and the Governor’s Office of South Al Sharqiyah, has launched a nationwide tour to introduce the National Program for Digital Economy and its key initiatives.
The tour, which commenced in South Al Sharqiyah Governorate, subsequently covering all governorates, aims to familiarise the public with the government’s digital economy strategies and projects.

The program’s first stop included several presentations and an open discussion. A comprehensive overview of the National Program for Digital Economy, its objectives, and key performance indicators was presented. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion showcased the e-commerce executive program, highlighting achievements and future plans to enhance consumer and business trust and foster a reliable e-commerce environment.

The CBO presented its executive program for financial technologies, detailing its role in promoting innovation in this sector and outlining how the program’s objectives align with Oman’s vision for financial technologies. The CBO also discussed initiatives supporting emerging financial technology companies.
The TRA presented its executive program for digital infrastructure, highlighting initiatives aimed at improving telecommunications networks, including fibre optics, 4G and 5G technologies, submarine cables, and data centres to strengthen Oman’s competitive position in the global digital transformation.
The fifth presentation focused on the national digital transformation, its objectives, initiatives, and achievements from 2021 to mid-2023. The program aims to create a flexible and innovative government apparatus and improve government services provided to individuals and institutions through information technology.

The program concluded with an open dialogue session for participants to present suggestions and ask questions.

Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Balushi, Head of Programs and Projects at the Technology Programs at MTCIT, stated that the National Program for Digital Economy comprises three main pillars: digital government, digital society, and digital business. These pillars have a positive impact on society by simplifying electronic government services, qualifying national cadres in modern technologies, providing income-generating opportunities, and increasing Omanisation rates in jobs related to the telecommunications and information technology sector in both the public and private sectors.

He further explained that the Program, which aims to provide a secure and advanced digital infrastructure to contribute to Oman Vision 2040, consists of eight executive programs: digital government transformation, digital industry, e-commerce, artificial intelligence and advanced digital technologies, space, cybersecurity industry (Hadatha), financial technologies, and digital infrastructure. The Ministry, in collaboration with its partners, oversees the implementation of these programs.

The initiative to conduct a nationwide tour stems from the desire to engage all segments of society and governorates in understanding the National Program for Digital Economy and the efforts undertaken. The tour aims to inform the public about strategic directions, upcoming projects, and initiatives, and encourage participation in achieving the program’s goals, which require the collective efforts of government institutions, private sector entities, and individuals to build a thriving digital economy that serves as a primary pillar of the national economy.

Aza bint Ibrahim al Kandiya, Director of Commercial and E-commerce Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, stated that the National E-commerce Plan was approved by the Council of Ministers in 2021 and extends until 2027. The plan includes 30 initiatives across eight main axes and aims to transform Oman into a regional centre for e-commerce, in addition to diversifying the national economy and enhancing the growth of the e-commerce sector.

Al Kandiya emphasized that e-commerce is not merely a shopping medium but a platform that enables to expand the horizons of the national economy and create new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises. She added that the plan seeks to increase consumer awareness of the benefits of e-commerce and update the laws governing this sector.