Latest news with #AlibinAmeralShidhani
Muscat Daily
03-08-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
MTCIT launches gaming development camp to build digital skills
Muscat – Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology launched a video game development training camp to equip young jobseekers with skills in one of the world's fastest-growing digital sectors on Sunday. The initiative, launched in partnership with Al Nahda Training Institute and Unity – a global leading platform to create games and interactive experiences – is part of the ministry's Makeen programme to support national digital capabilities. Held at Al Araimi Boulevard in Seeb, the event was inaugurated under the patronage of H E Dr Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology. The camp will train 50 Omanis across two tracks – game programming and animation design – over 24 weeks. Participants will receive both theoretical instruction and hands-on training under the supervision of local and international experts. Jalila bint Abdullah al Fanna al Araimi, Director of the ministry's Future Skills Development Department, said the programme is designed to prepare youth for the global gaming market. 'The initiative aims to empower jobseekers with a talent for game development by offering practical experience within technology incubators and the opportunity to work on original digital projects,' she said. She added that the collaboration with Unity marks the first such partnership in the sultanate. 'Unity's technologies power over 50 percent of digital games worldwide. This partnership will help transfer global expertise to Oman,' she said. The programme is also expected to support the establishment of digital startups in Oman's gaming sector. Sheikh Humaid bin Juma al Shamsi, Member of the Majlis A'Shura and Chairman of the Board of Al Nahda Training Institute, said the gaming industry is evolving into a complex knowledge-based economy. 'This unique initiative is part of wider efforts to empower Omani youth with digital skills, which have become a key pillar of modern economies,' he said. 'The video game industry today combines programming, design, artificial intelligence and creativity. This camp offers a practical platform to prepare youth for this global sector.' The Makeen programme is part of Oman's broader digital transformation strategy under Vision 2040, aimed at positioning the sultanate as a regional hub for innovation and emerging technologies.
Muscat Daily
26-07-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Digital services surge as Oman advances towards e-govt goals
Muscat – The National Programme for Digital Transformation – Tahawul – has achieved an 80% overall performance rate since its launch in 2021, marking a 19% increase over the results recorded in mid-2024. The figures, released at the end of May 2025, highlight progress made across government institutions in digital infrastructure readiness, simplified public services and increased adoption of e-services. According to Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, the average readiness of government bodies for digital transformation reached 81%, while infrastructure readiness stood at 86%. Procedures for 96% of targeted government services were simplified, including 381 services revised under Manjam Labs – a collaborative initiative to improve government service efficiency. Additionally, 74% of priority services have been digitised, and between January and May this year, 48 government agencies processed more than 11.4mn digital transactions. A total of 4,100 services were indexed in the government's digital services guide, and 33 advisory sessions were held to support public sector digitalisation. H E Dr Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology and Chairman of Tahawul's technical committee, said the results reflect national efforts and institutional commitment to the programme's objectives. He noted that the direction of the transformation aligns with Oman's broader digital economy goals and aims to enhance service delivery and empower local talent. H E Dr Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology Among key achievements is the launch of a unified government services portal, now offering 23 services from various agencies. The platform has recorded 35,746 users and processed 3,905 service requests. A library in sign language has also been activated to support users with disabilities. The OmanNet electronic payment gateway is now fully operational, handling 14.5mn digital transactions in the first quarter alone. The system is designed to reduce fraud risk and encourage electronic payment adoption. The Wusool system for electronic document and records management has registered over 17,000 active users and processed more than 1.5mn documents across 20 government entities. In the first half of 2025, over 1.57mn digital transactions were signed using electronic authentication. The National Electronic Integration Platform exchanged 163mn records, while more than 90 digital public consultations were held to enhance citizen participation in policymaking. Tahawul is a core initiative under Oman's National Digital Economy Programme. It runs from 2021 to 2025, targeting a shift to a fully digital government based on principles of good governance and adoption of emerging technologies.
Observer
09-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman launches space accelerator programme to boost innovation
MUSCAT: In a significant move in furtherance of Oman Vision 2040, the Sultanate of Oman has launched the Oman Space Accelerators Programme—an innovative programme to foster in-country capabilities in the global space sector and establish a knowledge-based economy. Commissioned by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT), the accelerator is Oman's first and is being established in partnership with Ankaa Space & Technologies and UK space innovation business Exotopic. Dr Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Under-Secretary for Communications and Information Technology, explained: 'It is the first-of-its-kind accelerator programme in Oman that is initiated to serve technology companies that want to venture into the growing space industry. The programme will provide technical guidance, awareness training, and official networking with investors, global corporations, and world space industry legends.' He continued, "The long-term vision of the accelerator is to equip 10 Omani companies with the necessary tools and expertise to be path-breaking drivers of the space economy, contributing directly to Oman Vision 2040's innovation and human capital targets." The 15-week programme, extending from late August through early December, will support ten Omani startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, entrepreneurs, and academics with a fast-track sequence of training workshops and business development exercises. Dr Saoud bin Humaid al Shoaili, Head of the National Space Programme, linked the programme to broader national interests: "As part of an effort to realize the ambitious goals of the National Space Programme and Oman Vision 2040, we launched a comprehensive strategy aimed at developing strong national capabilities in the sector." Dr Al Shoaili also explained that the project fosters a competitive culture that encourages creative solutions, and the first three entities are awarded to encourage sustainable activities corresponding to strategic goals of the industry. The programme will focus on key space industry domains such as communications, earth observation, geospatial analytics, navigation, drones, AI and machine learning, advanced computing, data storage, IoT, spacecraft simulations, startup acceleration, and technology innovation. He outlined the three strategic pillars of the programme: institutional capacity, individual skills development, and entrepreneurial and commercial capability. 'Since January 2023, we've implemented a number of targeted initiatives to strengthen Omani expertise and readiness in the space domain, in line with national aspirations,' he said. Ghaida al Jabri, Project Manager at Ankaa Space & Technologies, highlighted the inclusive and collaborative nature of the project. "Oman has worked on this programme in partnership with MoTCIT, Al Ankaa, and Exotopic in the National Space Programme. It is a demonstration of direct contribution to the innovation and private sector development pillars of Oman Vision 2040." She added, "The programme aims to fast-track the growth of domestic entities and put them in a position to be at the forefront of Oman's new space economy." Speaking to the Observer, Dan Veal, Principal Investigator at Exotopic, emphasised the strategic timing of Oman's entry into the space race. "Oman is entering the international space sector at a critical time when neighboring nations are heavily investing in space technologies. The project represents a significant opportunity for young Omanis and small and medium enterprises to take up a forward-thinking and fast-growing global industry." He noted, "Given the data-driven nature of the space economy, it's quite open for new entrants to make a significant impact quite soon. Oman has a good chance of competing at the regional and global level."
Observer
09-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Comex 2025 from September 7-10
Muscat: Comex 2025 will be held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 7-10, with the participation of over 300 local and international companies, offering a platform for digital investment, according to the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT). COMEX 2025 is set to redefine the technology exhibition landscape with an expansive showcase of groundbreaking advancements in eGovernment, fintech, and smart cities, to immersive experiences in health tech, agritech, and cybersecurity, the event promises to be a hub for digital transformation. With new features like the Enterprise Arena, Banking and Fintech Zone, and Tech Startup Pavilion, COMEX 2025 offers unparalleled opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and exploring cutting-edge technologies. Dr. Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology, said that the ministry seeks to make COMEX a platform for direct promotion of investment opportunities by supporting emerging technology companies and promoting their products, enhancing local content, and fostering cooperation between the public and private sectors and international cooperation in this field. He said that the ministry will organize a series of events and workshops in the field of communications and information technology, focusing on digital investment, electronic games, digital tourism, and the creative content industry. With over 80,000 visitors, COMEX 2024 achieved its desired objectives as a marketing and investment showcase and contributed to enhancing communication between companies and investors. The Undersecretary said that the communications and information technology sector in the Sultanate of Oman witnessed a growth of 10.6 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the first quarter of 2024, while the volume of local investments in artificial intelligence reached approximately RO60 million by the end of last year.
Muscat Daily
08-07-2025
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman to unveil initiatives in Cybersecurity, AI at COMEX 2025
Muscat – The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has announced plans to launch several digital initiatives in the fields of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) in September 2025. The announcement was made during a press conference on Tuesday outlining details of COMEX 2025, which will take place at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 7 to 10. The event is expected to host more than 300 local and international companies. H E Dr Ali bin Amer al Shidhani, Undersecretary of MTCIT for Communications and Information Technology, said the ministry aims to position COMEX as a strategic platform to promote investment opportunities in the ICT sector. The event will support emerging technology firms, enhance local content, encourage public-private partnerships, and foster international collaboration. This year's edition will see widespread participation from companies, specialised pavilions, and a range of activities. MTCIT will showcase key projects and initiatives under the National Digital Economy Programme at its dedicated pavilion. The exhibition will also feature a series of workshops and events covering themes such as digital investment, e-gaming, digital tourism, and creative content. These activities are designed to attract startups and investors and to stimulate growth in Oman's digital economy. COMEX 2025 will host the Cybersecurity Forum, which will highlight national efforts and achievements in the field. The forum aims to support local startups and young Omanis in developing advanced cybersecurity solutions while also drawing on international expertise. Another major highlight will be the AI and Quantum Computing Forum, which seeks to raise awareness of advanced technologies and promote research and industrial partnerships. Discussions will focus on applications of quantum AI across key sectors. A hackathon focused on cybersecurity solutions will also be held as part of the event. Dr Shidhani pointed to the success of COMEX 2024, which resulted in the signing of 60 agreements and memoranda of understanding worth over RO85mn – a 112% increase compared to 2023. The previous edition featured more than 60 workshops, 25 startup events, 100 expert speakers, and 350 participating entities, drawing over 80,000 visitors. He also noted the strong performance of Oman's ICT sector, which grew by 10.6% in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Local investment in AI reached nearly RO60mn by the end of last year, driven by national initiatives focused on advanced technologies. COMEX 2025 will include a digital investment zone designed to attract local and international investors, localise emerging technologies, and promote Oman as a regional hub for digital investment. A dedicated pavilion for tech startups will also be established, offering specialised workshops.
