Investments touch RO 1.6 billion

MUSCAT, Feb 18

The Sultanate of Oman is working to develop Oman GPT, an artificial intelligence model. This was revealed by Eng Said bin Hamoud al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, during a press conference to review the ministry’s achievements in 2023 and outline its plans for 2024 in Muscat on Sunday.

This year the ministry plans to launch the unified portal for digital government services, National Centre for Space, Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology and an advanced cybersecurity centre.

The 11th Annual Media Conference themed ‘Logistics Network and a Thriving Digital Economy’, highlighted the ministry’s commitment to promoting communication and integration with the media and the general public. It also emphasised the importance of building sustainable and strategic partnerships with local and international media, government agencies, and the private sector.

Eng Al Maawali said the ministry has floated 98 tenders worth more than RO 612 million last year, including 56 tenders in the transport and logistics sector worth RO 597 million, 32 tenders in the IT sector worth over RO 11 million, and 10 tenders in various fields with a total value of more than RO 4 million. Of these tenders, small and medium-sized enterprises had a share of 10 per cent.

Eng Al Maawali stated that the total investment opportunities in transport and logistics sector amounted to RO 1.6 billion in ports, air transport, and logistics after workshops held in cooperation with the Civil Aviation Authority and the Oman Vision 2040 Implementation Follow-up Unit and the National Programme for Investment and Export Development ‘Nazdaher’.

The ministry has completed awarding contracts for maintaining asphalt and dirt roads in all governorates of Oman at a cost of more than RO 114 million. It has paved more than 200 km in 2023, which included adding new roads and repairing roads that were damaged during rains at a cost of about RO 96 million.

To increase the value of investments in the transport and logistics sector, Eng Al Maawali said that the ministry has announced the executive programme for the Oman Logistics Centre 2025 and is proceeding with the implementation of the programme's initiatives.

Eng Al Maawali added that the number of ships received by ports in 2023 stood at 11,000, and the volume of cargo reached more than 93 million tonnes. In addition, 163,000 new operating cards were issued for transport vehicles.

Eng Al Maawali added that the number of transactions completed through the integration platform for 2023 stood at 262 million, and the efforts of the government's digital transformation programme resulted in the development of 39 platforms and electronic portals.

Boosting digital transformation, the ministry has simplified the procedures of 578 digital services. Deals that were signed at Comex-2023 reached RO 40 million, in addition to the successful testing of the first advanced chips Oman-1 and Oman-2.

He stated that the Omani satellite, the launch date of which will be announced during the coming period, will be dedicated to communications.

The Tamkeen initiative has trained 4,800 young men and women in advanced digital skills.

Eng Al Maawali said that the ministry this year seeks to establish small and medium-sized dry docks and a project to build medium and large ships. The ministry also seeks to launch the first hydrogen-powered station in the country, continue to work on the Suhar-Abu Dhabi rail project and prepare a draft railway law.

The ministry has announced the launch of the 'Green Mobility Award' and the organisation of the Second Green Mobility Forum during the current year. It marked April 30 as Omani Logistics Day, which will be celebrated for the first time this year.