MUSCAT : The meeting was attended by representatives from the Central Bank of Oman, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, and the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, in collaboration with the Office of the Governor of North Al Sharqiyah. Its primary goal was to raise awareness among employees, individuals, and students about the significance of the digital economy and its contribution to enhancing the national economy.

During the session, the ministry presented an overview of the National Program for Digital Economy, which was launched in 2021 with the objective of increasing the digital economy’s contribution to the GDP to 10 percent by 2040. The presentation highlighted eight executive programs, including government digital transformation, financial technologies, e-commerce, and the development of digital infrastructure.

A working paper on the government digital transformation programme ‘Tahawul’, a central component of Oman’s five-year plan, was discussed. The programme emphasizes building human capacities, digitising government services to improve quality and efficiency, and developing the digital infrastructure to support comprehensive digital transformation in Oman. Additionally, it aims to enhance the investment environment by providing advanced digital government services that attract investments.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion outlined the National E-Commerce Plan, which seeks to position Oman as a regional hub for e-commerce through 30 initiatives across various sectors. The discussion included the licensing process for e-commerce activities and the ‘Maroof Oman’ platform, designed to document licensed e-stores and foster consumer confidence.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority presented plans for expanding the fibre optic network and the rollout of fifth-generation networks. It was noted that there are plans to phase out third-generation networks in favour of more advanced technologies, along with the development of new data centres and submarine cables to enhance Oman’s digital capabilities globally.

The Central Bank of Oman reviewed initiatives under the financial technologies’ executive program, which is integral to Oman Vision 2040. This programme aims to create a comprehensive digital environment that fosters financial inclusion and supports business growth. Key initiatives discussed included the national ‘Know Your Customer’ platform, which streamlines electronic customer identity verification, and a regulatory framework for financial technology to encourage innovation and non-cash transactions.

The meeting also featured the newly launched initiative of the governors’ ambassadors for digital transformation. This programme aims to enhance community awareness regarding the use of modern technologies and their benefits in improving quality of life, leveraging local talent in digital transformation efforts.

Concluding the meeting, H.E. Mahmoud bin Yahya Al Dhahli, Governor of North Al Sharqiyah, facilitated an open discussion session, allowing participants to exchange ideas and proposals to further advance the digital economy in Oman. The session fostered interaction between government agencies and stakeholders, aiming to support digital transformation and achieve sustainable development goals.

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