ICT
From The Report: Oman 2023
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Broad digital transformation is at the heart of Oman Vision 2040, the government’s long-term economic development blueprint. In the years leading to the Covid-19 pandemic the sector’s governance structures were overhauled to improve efficiency, while private investment in ICT activities had already been growing. To support this, the authorities have prioritised deepening the local tech talent pool, and enhancing the sultanate’s ecosystem of start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises. The swift shift to online education, work and commerce during the pandemic necessitated further development of local digital skill and service bases. To this end, government entities have been teaming up with local and international players to enhance such capacities. Meanwhile, in order to keep abreast of an increasingly complex global digital landscape, the country has introduced new laws and regulations to address issues such as cybersecurity and data protection, while also enhancing national capabilities in related areas.

This chapter contains interviews with Talal Al Mamari, CEO, Omantel; Said Abdullah Al Mandhari, CEO, ITHCA Group; Ali Al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and IT; and Bader Al Zaidi, CEO, Vodafone Oman.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Investment potential: The sector expects to see greater funding and further expansion as it plays a more significant role in the economy
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Broad digital transformation is at the heart of Oman Vision 2040, the government’s long-term economic development blueprint. In the years leading to the Covid-19 pandemic the sector’s governance structures was overhauled to improve efficiency, while private investment in ICT activities had already been growing. To support this, the authorities have prioritised deepening the local tech talent pool, and enhancing the sultanate’s ecosystem of start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The…

Interview

Expanded networks: Talal Al Mamari, CEO, Omantel, on advancing economic objectives through digitalisation and connectivity
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Interview: Talal Al Mamari What needs to be done to ensure that ICT growth prospects translate into opportunities for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? TALAL AL MAMARI: The digital ecosystem is impacting many aspects of the economy and especially SMEs, which are active consumers of technology. Many start-ups – most notably those operating in the field of technology – are making use of the available ecosystem to provide solutions with significant commercial potential. Local SMEs…

Analysis

Upward trajectory: The digital economy is helping streamline government services and support start-ups and innovation
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As part of its efforts to develop the digital economy, the government of Oman launched the National Digital Economy Programme (NDEP) in October 2021 to accelerate the sultanate’s technological transformation and build on the National ICT Strategy established in 2017. The programme is designed to aid the country’s progress in line with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, the country’s blueprint for its long-term socio-economic development. Vision 2040 envisages a diversified economy propelled by…

Interview

Future focused: Said Abdullah Al Mandhari, CEO, ITHCA Group, on accelerating the use of cloud-based and emerging technologies
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Interview: Said Abdullah Al Mandhari To what extent can disruptive technologies enable economic development in Oman? SAID ABDULLAH AL MANDHARI: Advanced technologies and blockchain, in particular, have enormous potential to enhance Oman’s long-term economic development, especially considering the current business environment. Artificial intelligence (AI), big-data analytics, blockchain and the internet of things (IoT) can boost efficiency and productivity in various sectors, such as finance, education,…

Interview

Clear signal: Ali Al Shidhani, Undersecretary for Communications and IT, on leveraging sector development goals to achieve maximum economic benefit at the national level
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Interview: Ali Al Shidhani How can the expansion of the communications and IT sector support national development goals? ALI AL SHIDHANI: The digital economy is expected to constitute 25% of global GDP by 2025, underscoring the importance of investing in the sector. Oman has been implementing digitisation strategies since the early 2000s, mainly focused on government services. However, the digital economy is becoming increasingly important to national prosperity. Reflecting this, the National Digital…

Analysis

Plugged in: The widespread rollout of 5G is unlocking productivity gains
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With connectivity widely recognised as a key driver of the post-Covid-19 economic recovery, GCC countries are poised to expand their 5G networks. 5G in the GCC The UAE unveiled its Industry 4.0 initiative in October 2021 to increase innovation and productivity, lower the industrial sector’s carbon footprint and add some $6.8bn to the economy by 2031. The programme is a cornerstone of the government’s roadmap to ensure that the economy remains dynamic over the next half century. The plan will…

Analysis

In the game: Gulf countries explore e-sports as part of diversification plans
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As Gulf countries continue to pursue plans to diversify their economies and unlock job creation for their relatively young populations, they are increasingly investing in the growing industry around competitive video games known as electronic sports (e-sports). The MENA gaming market is expected to expand by some 19% between 2019 and 2025, according to strategic consultancy RedSeer, to reach a value of $5bn. The company concluded in a 2022 report that the MENA gaming industry was set to reach “unprecedented…

Interview

Finding advantages: Bader Al Zaidi, CEO, Vodafone Oman, on the opportunities being created for companies in the ICT sector and beyond
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Interview: Bader Al Zaidi In which ways can competition and foreign investment create opportunities in the telecoms sector? BADER AL ZAIDI: The ICT sector in Oman has a key role to play in the country’s digital transformation and economic growth. With multinational companies expanding into the country, the ICT sector is adding value from multiple directions. The growth of digital-first and fully integrated digital solutions allows us to centre services around our apps and make the customer experience…

Analysis

Heightened concern: Governments are working to counter a global rise in cyberthreats stemming from digitalisation and the shift to remote work
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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 caused disruptions across the global economy, prompting an increase in the number and sophistication of cyberattacks. According to a poll of 800 chief audit executives by the UK-based Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, 77% of respondents thought the war in Ukraine had elevated cybersecurity and data-security risks. Senior cybersecurity analysts have said the invasion has been accompanied by a sustained cyber-conflict, with a large number of…