The Sultanate of Oman has made significant strides in government digital transformation through the National Programme for digital transformation from 2021 to 2023. Dr. Ali Amer Al Shidhani, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, highlighted the core aspects of the ‘Transformation’ programme, including enhancing digital services, implementing infrastructure projects with digital solutions, empowering national capabilities, and promoting community participation in electronic services. Several factors have contributed to Oman’s notable digital transformation, such as good governance, national policies, readiness of the digital environment in government institutions, leadership awareness, and support from the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology.
Under Dr. Ali Amer Al Shidhani’s leadership, the Ministry has overseen the development of shared digital platforms and systems that optimize spending, boost work efficiency, and provide integrated digital services to beneficiaries. The digitization of 1,545 services, including automatic licensing activities, has been completed as of December 2023, marking significant progress towards the target indicator of 80% digitization by 2025. Special attention has been given to documenting and simplifying work procedures before the automation of services, with initiatives like the Manjam programme focusing on streamlining government service processes to improve operational efficiency.
The efforts to simplify procedures have led to the simplification of 2,199 services from 2021 to 2023, out of a total of 2,869 services targeted for simplification by 2025. The Manjam Laboratories for Simplifying Government Procedures have played a key role in enhancing service quality, reducing processing time, and improving the overall efficiency of government services. These streamlined procedures not only benefit citizens and residents but also play a vital role in attracting investments by creating a more investor-friendly environment through digital visas, licensing processes, and investment opportunities accessible online.
The initiative also aims to enhance the investor experience by providing a seamless process from visa issuance to obtaining licenses digitally. The digital platform of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones offers a comprehensive range of features, such as reviewing investment opportunities, selecting sites, submitting applications, and accessing incentives. Moreover, the unified national portal for electronic services is set to further streamline processes by offering all government services under one advanced platform, which is expected to stimulate investment activities in Oman.
Overall, the digital transformation efforts led by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology have had a significant positive impact on attracting foreign investments to Oman. By simplifying procedures, enhancing digital services, and promoting community engagement, Oman is paving the way for a more efficient and investor-friendly environment, driving economic growth and prosperity in the Sultanate.
