Muscat: Dr Said bin Mohammed al Saqri, Minister of Economy, chaired discussions on Oman’s pivotal role in advancing sustainable development in the Middle East during the session on “Sustainable Development Goals Policies in the Arab Region,” on July 15, organised by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) at the headquarters of the Permanent Mission of the Sultanate of Oman in New York.
In his address, Dr Al Saqri emphasised Oman’s commitment to keeping pace with the rapid global development of advanced technologies and their applications, particularly artificial intelligence, to open new horizons for the future economy and economic diversification.
Dr Al Saqri highlighted Oman’s strategic goals in digital transformation, noting that the national digital programme aims to build and develop a thriving digital economy and provide a safe and advanced infrastructure that supports digital government, digital business and digital society.
He stressed that Oman’s adoption of digital transformation is a foundation for driving development and is integral to its national strategies and legislation, ensuring alignment with global advancements in research, innovation and advanced technologies.
The Minister pointed out that Oman ranked among the best countries in the Internet speed index in 2023, a testament to its progress in digital infrastructure.
He outlined key initiatives under Oman’s digital transformation strategy, which include enhancing the digital society with the goal of contributing 10 per cent to the GDP by the end of Oman Vision 2040, integrating artificial intelligence in school education and developing major cultural centres into smart cities.
Further initiatives include the National Digital Economy Programme, which encompasses e-commerce, cybersecurity, digital government transformation, digital industries and infrastructure, artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
The Oman Technology Fund ranks first in the Middle East and North Africa among venture capital funds specialising in bold capital investments.
There is also a Centre of Excellence for Advanced Communication Technologies and Internet of Things (IoT), a strategic plan for the Judicial Council, and a unified municipal system for Muscat Municipality.
The National Digital Health Strategy leverages industrial revolution technologies such as virtual medicine, artificial intelligence and big data for efficient and quality healthcare outcomes.
Technology is also being used in environmental monitoring to develop techniques for reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency.
The innovation platform ‘Innovate Oman’ provides a comprehensive digital platform for innovative activities, maximising scientific research outputs and knowledge production for economic returns.
Oman is expanding strategic agreements with companies like Oracle and establishing investment funds in Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.
The Government Digital Transformation Program includes over 30 projects and initiatives, such as digital access policies and launching electronic services like the authentication system, litigation portal, Royal Oman Police application and Shifa application.
Additionally, an environmental monitoring database has been established. Dr Al Saqri concluded by reaffirming Oman’s commitment to sustainable development goals and its proactive approach to leveraging technology for national growth and prosperity.
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