MoCI sets up e-commerce department in Oman to help build online businesses

Muscat: Oman’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) has announced the establishment of the Electronic Commerce Department to organise and develop the sector and protect customers while providing guidance for those wishing to establish commercial websites.
A statement from the ministry said, "The e-commerce division will facilitate the e-commerce business, enhance the reliability of its transactions and safeguard the rights of customers."
His Excellency Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, Minister of Commerce and Industry, issued a ministerial decree on the creation of the Electronic Commerce Department at the Commercial Affairs Department at the Directorate General of Commerce to organise and develop the sector.
The ministry said in a statement: "The decision was announced so that Oman could keep pace with modern systems of buying and selling through electronic channels, as well as the increasing numbers of transactions and the presence of inquiries among customers through electronic channels, as well as the protection of customers and their data, especially from fake sites."
The Electronic Commerce Department is responsible for organising the registration of e-commerce services and protecting customers in coordination with the competent authorities, organising integrated commercial transactions in all institutions and individuals that deal on open electronic networks, organising operations related to the purchase and sale of goods and services via electronic networks, as well as coordinating efforts and programs with government agencies to develop policies and procedures to protect data related to e-commerce.
In this context, a statement from export.gov, the US government’s organisation to help American companies set up businesses at home and overseas, said, “The government is actively promoting a “digital society” and “e-government” services through the Information Technology Authority (ITA). Some of the most frequently requested government services, such as business registration and customs clearance of imported goods, payment of utility bills, payment of traffic fines, etc. are being conducted online.”
In addition, the 2019 Oman E-commerce Conference, is being held in Muscat on September 16 and 17, to spread awareness of the latest online business trends and help Omani SMEs and businesses set up agreements with global tech companies that could help them make their business better.
A statement from the organisers said, “The Oman E-Commerce Conference - OEC 2019, hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry from the Sultanate of Oman, is the most innovative eCommerce conference accelerating digital economy with a focus on ‘everything online’.
‍They added: “From being the garage start-ups to the journey of billion-dollar corporates – OEC will unravel the story behind the transition and true growth of e-commerce in the world. Attendees will learn what is disrupting the future industries today and what will change for them tomorrow. The focus will be on how to harness and realise the untapped potential to utilise e-commerce as a key pillar of business strategy.”