GEC NEWS WIREWith an aim to take the country to new heights, Oman has well planned its vision. By adopting and implementing new and emerging technologies, the nation is all set to stay ahead in its game.
I have never lived in Oman, but when I got to research on its growth I was blown away. From the planning of smart cities to adoption of new technologies, the nation has always tried to be ahead. Being one of the small countries in terms of geography, let’s see what the ‘Pearl of Arabia’ has to showcase.
According to the World Bank, Oman is predicted to have the highest growth among the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council in 2020. The GDP is forecasted to jump to six per cent in 2020 from 1.2 per cent this year. With the returns from the Tanfeedh programme for economic diversification, as well as continued investments to expand its oil and gas sector, the country is all set to have a high growth in the coming years.
Striding Forth with Tanfeedh
Tanfeedh is an initiative taken by the Omani government which mainly aims at linking strategies of the very important sectors of Manufacturing, Tourism, Transportation, and Logistics, Mining and Fisheries to expand national income resources and complete the objectives of the Ninth Five Year Development Plan 2016 – 2020. It also works towards a sustainable participation between the public and private sectors. Tanfeedh will recognize the hardships and the chances of the government community and projects by tracing a comprehensive road map with public participation to make sure better solutions and fulfillment of KPIs of the government. The main point of the Tanfeedh program is running discussion labs which are effective with the stakeholders, partners and participants in the core sectors like manufacturing, logistics, tourism, fisheries and mining.
Tech Driven Oman
In the tech driven environment of Oman, the government plays a crucial role in investing in the technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Blockchain. Realizing the importance of this technology, Oman’s Information Technology Authority (ITA) has given huge importance to this. Last year, ITA also held the 4.0 Digital Trends Forum to discuss on the emerging technologies like AI and the 4th industrial revolution. The country also plans on using this technology for diagnosing of breast cancer. A new system for the early diagnosis of breast cancer will be introduced in five hospitals across the Sultanate said reports. The Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Information Technology Authority (ITA) announced the launch of the facility after a successful pilot project done by the MoH, ITA, and few solution providers to employ Artificial Intelligence (AI) in diagnosing breast cancer, scoring 96 per cent success rate.
Alonside AI, the country has also implemented Blockchain. Last year, Omantel signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Blockchain Solutions & Services (BSS) for mutual cooperation between the two companies which include availing the smart solutions offered by BSS in logistic and commercial operations. In February 2019, BankDhofar, started using Blockchain technology for cross-border payments to India.
The ‘Smart’ Oman – According to Smart Oman, Oman Smart City Platform is a knowledge-sharing platform to bring out smart city initiatives in Oman. The platforms objective is to give knowledge-sharing, collaborative and networking environment between smart city stakeholders. Through funding research and hosting innovations competition for the smart city, the platform works as an enabler and facilitator. Duqm has planned its first major smart city project which will begin in 2020. This project was inspired by Japan’s and South Korea’s simpler way of living and decided to bring to project to Duqm with help of South Korea. The City will be built phase by phase. The country has already planned the phase one, where they will construct airports, industrial and tourist area. The aim is to provide smart integrated experience for the people of Duqm and encourage them to use smart solutions. Madinat Al Irfan is another mega project which is being developed by UAE’s Majid Al Futtaim and Omran. The first foundation stone was laid last year.
Oman vision 2020
Oman’s vision for 2020 is an approach that guides the Sultanate to a diversified and sustainable economy. First unveiled in the year 1995, the Vision 2020 is an ambitious plan designed to steer the Sultanate towards a more sustainable and diversified economy by using oil revenues to boost investments in health, education, and social services, better train citizens, and raise living standards across the board. Along with Vision 2020, the country has planned for the future ahead with Vision 2040. As per the reports, the country is partially on track to reach its rigorous Omanization and diversification targets of the vision. Expected to have 5 million foreign workers by 2020 and 8 million by 2040, the government hopes to shave 10% off the expat labor force by 2040.
Development Never Stops
It has surprised me how much the “Pearl of Arabia” is growing and developing. The government is striving for the growth of the country and its people to become better in terms of the economy and the life style. With visions to a reach bright future and implementing new and intelligent technologies, the Sultanate is doing its best to stay ahead in the game. When it comes to countries like Oman all I have to say is “the future is here”.
