Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion begins first phase of evaluating smart production factories

Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, in collaboration with the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), has started the first phase of the Smart Production Factories project, which aims to enable Omani industry to adopt advanced technology and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies.

This phase includes a detailed field evaluation of the participating factories based on specific criteria outlined in the evaluation matrix, which is based on the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI).

The matrix is structured around three main pillars, divided into 16 dimensions, with each dimension offering an accurate assessment of the factories' readiness to adopt 4IR technologies and providing recommendations for available development opportunities.

In its current phase, the evaluation process aims to begin enabling five factories to adopt 4IR applications and undergo digital transformation, selected from 20 targeted factories as part of the first phase during the year 2024. The goal is to transform 30% of the factories into smart factories by 2026.

 A specialised technical team from the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), which includes a certified and licensed evaluator from the International Centre for Industrial Transformation, will work with a team from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion to visit the targeted factories and meet with their teams to assess their current status using the specific criteria from the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI).

It is worth mentioning that the initiative to empower Omani factories with 4IR technologies and automation is part of the ministry’s efforts to implement the outcomes of the Industrial Strategy 2040.

This initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of the industrial sector by facilitating the transition to smart production factories.

The initiative seeks to modernise technology, create new production lines, reduce costs, increase factory efficiency, and create specialised jobs that align with educational outcomes.

The ministry also notes that the participation is open to factories interested in digital transformation to improve their operational processes, competitiveness, and efficiency.