Plan to raise digital economy’s contribution to 10% of the GDP

Muscat: Oman plans to increase the digital economy’s contribution to 10% of the GDP by 2040 and by the end of this year, the contribution is expected to reach approximately 3%, said Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and IT.

He emphasised that the programme serves as a long-term roadmap aligned with Oman Vision 2040, structured into four phases: Integrated digital government, digitisation of key economic sectors, export of digital economy services, and ultimately, a flourishing digital economy.

The National Digital Economy Programme in Oman is advancing its mission to build a prosperous digital economy through three core pillars: Digital government, business digitisation, and digital society. The initiative aims to serve as a key contributor to the national economy.

He added that the government is nearing the completion of the first phase, which focuses on digital government transformation. The programme is implemented through a series of executive initiatives overseen by various government entities.

The first phase includes eight initiatives, among them the Artificial Intelligence Programme.

After four years of implementation, Oman has made notable progress across global indicators, including ranking 45th in the Government AI Readiness Index, 41st in the e-Government Development Index, achieving top-tier status in the Cybersecurity Readiness Index, and ranking 50th in the Network Readiness Index.

Oman Vision 2040 aspires for the Sultanate to be among the top 20 countries in all these indicators.

In line with Royal directives, the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies were launched in 2023.

It focuses on three main areas: promoting AI adoption in economic and developmental sectors, localising AI technologies, and establishing AI governance. 

The programme includes 32 projects implemented by various government entities and targets four key outcomes: enhancing Oman’s AI readiness, increasing the number of AI startups, boosting scientific and research output in AI, and expanding national capabilities.

Among the programme’s achievements is the launch of the AI Economies Initiative by the Ministry of Economy, which allocated OMR10 million in its first year and OMR15 million in the following year to support AI projects.

Government institutions have actively competed for funding to implement their developmental AI projects.Notable launches include “Mu’in AI,” a language model tailored for government use, the AI Studio, the “Engineered by AI” initiative, the “AI Makers” initiative, and the National Open Data Portal, which aggregates data from over 40 government entities.

Fourth Industrial Revolution

He highlighted the inauguration of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and the World Economic Forum. The Ministry also published the National Policy for Safe and Ethical AI Use and formed an AI Expert Committee comprising members from public, private, academic, and military sectors to advise on AI strategies and projects.

The University of Technology and Applied Sciences launched the ICESCO Research Chair for AI Ethics.

In partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, a strategic research programme in AI was initiated, receiving proposals including one from the National University.

Ambitious projects were also announced, such as the “Oman Digital Triangle,” currently under development.

This initiative spans three geographically distinct zones, each equipped to host AI data centers powered by sustainable green energy.

He announced the launch of the Green AI Alliance in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. The alliance currently includes 34 entities—AI companies, data center operators, energy firms, renewable energy providers, and investors—working together to identify investment opportunities and implement green AI projects in Oman.

Finally, a dedicated AI zone near Muscat International Airport was announced, envisioned as a regional hub for AI technology companies in the Middle East, offering a tailored package of incentives to attract investment and innovation. -With ONA inputs