Oman moves closer to 'digital society' dream
Oman moves closer to 'digital society' dream
From Ravindra Nath (Our correspondent)
17 April 2006MUSCAT — Oman's vision to transform itself into a 'digital society' in which every citizen and resident has access to a vast range of convenient, cost-effective and customer-oriented electronic services is another step closer to becoming a reality with the launch here on Saturday night of a countrywide e-government awareness drive, a key component of the ambitious project.
The campaign, titled 'eOman', aims at providing improved services to the public that will empower them and change their lives for the better, key officials overseeing the programme explained. They said it would lay down an "effective government-community-citizen infrastructure."
The mega launch ceremony, at the Majan Ballroom of the Al Bustan Palace Hotel, was attended by royal family members, ministers, heads of diplomatic missions, IT heads and professionals and other leading dignitaries from the public and private sector. Commerce and Industry Minister Maqbool bin Ali Sultan was the guest of honour.
The highlights included the unveiling of the eOman logo and official mascot 'Arif' and web site www.itec.gov.om. A multimedia film showing the Sultanate's foray into e-Government, various eOman initiatives and their benefits was also screened.
The eOman strategy, spearheaded by the National Economy Ministry's Information Technology Technical Secretariat (ITTS), mainly focuses on educating the public on the potentials of harnessing information and communication technology (ICT) in all walks of life. It seeks to enhance IT awareness, spread IT literacy and training manpower.
Initially, this will take the form of a series of road shows to be launched soon, comprising seminars and e-Government orientation sessions in seven regions of the country. The project will also involve skills development and training programmes spanning all sectors of the society. One of its major pillars, in fact, is the empowerment of citizens with ICT skills. ITTS has already signed an agreement with the Ministry of Civil Service to conduct training courses for government employees to develop their core IT skills and prepare them for participation in delivering government services electronically. These are due to start on September 1.
Under another arrangement with the Ministry of Education, state-run schools will make available their computer laboratories after working hours in all regions, wilayats and cities to conduct training and awareness programmes for the public.
"eOman will offer every citizen, business and government entity in Oman a wide variety of convenient, cost-effective and customer-oriented electronic services that will empower and transform life for the better," Mohammed bin Nasser Al Khusaibi Secretary-General of the National Economy Ministry said. "The futuristic 'Oman 2020' economic development vision aims at expanding and diversifying the Omani economy and enabling it to participate in the global economy," Khusaibi, who is also chairman of the Information Technology Executive Committee, added.
He noted that Oman's current Seventh Five-Year Plan placed emphasis on developing the ICT sector to lay a solid foundation for a knowledge-based society. Four ministers have already been linked under the Digital Oman project and the goal is to connect all government ministries, organisations and units. The 'Ubar' portal, the government electronic services gateway, is expected to be functional by the end of the year. Its initial phases will include an electronic payments gateway and electronic government application forms, opening a window for acquiring government services online.
The government has also embarked on implementing a number of other schemes such as the National Registry System, Smart ID cards for citizens and residents, one-stop-shop for businessmen, an enhanced commercial registration system, 'BankNet' for electronic fund transfer and automated clearing systems. A new e-transactions law has been drafted and is expected to be issued before the end of the year.
Dr Salim Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, head of ITTS and member of the IT Executive Committee, outlined various projects undertaken by ITTS and their progress.
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