After its successful launch, as Oman’s First Virtual Expo and Summit in 2020, Future Tech Expo & Summit is back, taking place from 12 - 13 September 2022, as a Hybrid Event (In-person and online). The Event is Under the Patronage of the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology, Sultanate of Oman. Future Tech is Sultanate of Oman’s foremost B2B and B2G bespoke…
– The UAE is the most recent GCC country to announce 5G expansion – 5G is set to drive economic reconstruction and the uptake of 4IR technology – Question marks exist regarding infrastructure and customer interest With connectivity being widely recognised as a key driver of the post-coronavirus economic recovery, GCC countries are poised to benefit from the expansion of their 5G networks. Earlier…
On the importance of cloud technology in a rapidly expanding digital landscape How has the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the development of cloud technologies and services? MAQBOOL AL WAHAIBI: The pandemic has led to an acceleration of the digitalisation plans of governments and businesses across the world, including in Oman. In the push to leverage IT innovation, the software-as-a-service (SaaS)…
On tapping new technologies to enhance production How do you assess the potential for further digitalisation in Oman’s energy sector? KHALID BIN HADI: Digitalisation is necessary to drive efficiency, productivity and sustainability in Oman’s energy sector, as well as in the region and the world. The business model for companies in the industry has changed as customers seek value-added, long-term…
On ICT acceleration in the midst of Covid-19 How have entrepreneurs within Oman’s ICT sector responded to the Covid-19 crisis so far? SAID ABDULLAH AL MANDHARI: Oman’s entrepreneurs have demonstrated great initiative and come up with a number of solutions in response to the pandemic, leading to the establishment of the Technological Innovation Committee – which is chaired by Azza bint Sulaiman…
As of April 12, the number of recorded Covid-19 cases in Oman stood at 599, with fourfatalities and 109 recoveries. Oman has responded incisively to the pandemic. On February 24, two citizens returning from Iran became the first recorded cases on Omani soil, prompting the immediate suspension of flights fromthat country. Meanwhile, on March 15, when the total number of recorded cases…
Interview:Talal Al Mamari How is the ICT sector evolving in line with global trends, and what factors will lead to its success? TALAL AL MAMARI: The telecommunications landscape has undergone a major transformation in recent years as firms in the sector have become increasingly intertwined with ICT. In line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and Vision 2040, a new ICT ecosystem of…
Blockchain – the distributed-ledger technology that underpins cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin – appears set to transform a wide variety of industries and perhaps fundamentally change the way business is conducted around the globe. While the technology is still taking off and its potential is not fully known, many emerging markets are hoping that it will allow them to leapfrog older infrastructure…
ICT was identified by the government as a key component of the sultanate’s long-term economic development strategy, Vision 2040, which calls for enhancing national technical capabilities, constructing vital ICT infrastructure and improving governance through the use of e-services. Therefore, a renewed focus is under way as authorities work to integrate more technology into everyday life for…
The Oman ICT Group (OICT Group) was founded in early 2019 under the auspices of the State General Reserve Fund, which is the largest of the country’s sovereign wealth funds. The group is a high-profile umbrella organisation that brings together companies and other public- and private-sector stakeholders involved in ICT to create an environment conducive to expansion of the sector. The integration…