The International Semiconductor Executive Summit (ISES) launched yesterday in Muscat under the auspices of the Minister of Labour Dr Mahad Said Ali Baawain.
The two-day summit, organized by The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology in collaboration with the International Semiconductor Executive Summits, aims to “establish a semiconductor ecosystem in Oman and the GCC to address future digitalization growth”.
In his keynote speech, Dr. Ali al Shidhani, Under-Secretary of Communications and Information Technology at the Ministry shared the following, “The Sultanate of Oman's hosting of this global summit as a first in the Middle East confirms its firm determination to achieving digital transformation and building a knowledge-based economy, based on Oman Vision 2040, which set a strategic path towards the transition to an economy based on technology, knowledge, and innovation.” “Based on this vision, the Government adopted the National Digital Economy Programme, which aims to digitize service and productive sectors with advanced technologies, enhance the added economic value of the telecommunications and information technology sector, and raise the digital economy's contribution to GDP to about 10 per cent by 2040,” he added.
“Throughout the years, Oman has invested billions of dollars in all sorts of infrastructure in the country and in education, talent development and innovation, and it will invest in the future to make this country a magnet and a hub for technology including semiconductors, therefore this summit is just the beginning of a new chapter of Oman in the semiconductor industry,” said Dr Al Shidhani.
The summit’s organizing body, International Semiconductor Executive Summits, described Oman as the ideal semiconductor hub in the GCC, stating, “Oman is the perfect hub for the creation of semiconductor design and infrastructure in the GCC. It is home to a young, prosperous and highly educated population. In the global and regional hunt for tech talent, Oman will become a primary destination for leading tech companies establishing global development centers, and for local champions expanding internationally.” The first day of the summit included several working papers, most notably: the importance of the environmental design system for the global semiconductor supply chain, the challenges of semiconductor manufacturing and semiconductors, the power of the future and the leadership of the global economy, and investment opportunities in information and communication technology in the Sultanate of Oman.
Several government bodies participated in the forum including the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, Ministry of Commerce, Industry & Investment Promotions, and Oman Investment Authority.
Director General of ICT Stimulation and Future Skills at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Sultan al Abri, shared some of the possible investment opportunities in the information and communication technology in Oman.
According to Al Abri, Oman ranked 21st in the United Nations Global Cybersecurity Index, 44th in the Network Readiness Index and 50th in the United Nations e-Government Index.
According to the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, the economic return of the semiconductor sector amounts to $500 to 600 billion per year.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
