Wednesday 05 / March / 2025
Muscat: Oman’s digital transformation continues to gather momentum as the unified electronic government portal takes centre-stage, reshaping the way citizens and residents access government services.
Designed to streamline processes and create a seamless user experience, the portal marks a significant leap forward in the country’s efforts to improve the efficiency and accessibility of public services.
Eng. Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and General Supervisor of the National Government Digital Transformation Programme, hailed the initiative as a game-changer in the provision of government services.
Reshaping services
“The launch of the unified portal is not just about integrating services; it is about reshaping how we deliver these services to ensure they are faster, more accessible, and in line with global digital standards. This move is pivotal in enhancing the efficiency and responsiveness of our government services,” Al Maawali said.
The unified portal consolidates a range of services into one platform, reducing the need for users to navigate across multiple ministry websites.
The portal integrates services from key government institutions, including the Royal Oman Police, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Housing, and Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, with other ministries to follow in the coming phases.
Al Maawali further emphasised that the unified portal was created to align with Oman Vision 2040, aiming to create a more responsive and user-friendly government service ecosystem.
“Our objective is clear: to provide a digital platform that brings government services to the people efficiently, increasing our global competitiveness in digital services while delivering the best user experience possible,” he added.
Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, spoke about the critical role of the portal in Oman’s broader digital strategy.
“Digital transformation is essential for keeping pace with global technological advancements. The unified portal is a milestone in simplifying complex procedures, reducing the need for in-person visits, and instilling greater confidence in our public sector’s efficiency,” he said.
The portal’s first phase includes 91 integrated digital services and is currently available to users across ten government institutions.
“Phase one is just the beginning. As we expand the portal’s offerings, more services will be added progressively, ultimately providing a complete range of digital services for citizens and residents alike,” added Dr. Al Shidhani.
“We are working to ensure the portal grows and evolves to meet the dynamic needs of our population.” Eng. Saeed bin Abdullah Al Mandhari, CEO of Ithkaa Group, which is overseeing the development of the portal, highlighted the project’s role in improving user accessibility. “Our vision was to create a single, user-friendly platform that would bring together the disparate government services currently scattered across various portals,” he said.
“By consolidating services under one roof, we are eliminating redundancies and providing a streamlined experience that can be accessed from anywhere at any time.” One of the portal’s key features is its accessibility, including tools for people with disabilities.
“We’ve ensured that the portal adheres to international accessibility standards, providing equal access to services for all users,” Al Mandhari explained.
“The focus is on inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their physical abilities, can easily navigate and benefit from the digital services offered.”
Eng. Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Kharousi, Director General of Digital Transformation at the Ministry, underscored the portal’s technological advantages.
“The unified portal is powered by a robust infrastructure that ensures high performance and quick response times,” he said.
“We’ve incorporated advanced features, such as real-time predictive data and easy service evaluation tools, to ensure that government agencies can continuously improve service delivery based on user feedback and data-driven insights.”
The portal also boasts a set of digital tools to help government institutions expedite the development of priority services.
“The platform’s ability to integrate with existing systems and adapt to new technological advancements allows for rapid service updates and enhancements,” Al Kharousi noted.
With the unified government portal, Oman is taking bold strides toward enhancing its digital infrastructure, simplifying the way public services are delivered, and meeting the expectations of a digital-first generation.
As more services are integrated and the portal evolves, it is set to become a cornerstone of the Sultanate’s vision for the future, further solidifying Oman’s position as a regional leader in digital governance.— (With inputs from ONA)
