Muscat: An agreement to design, implement and manage a unified e-Government network was signed between the ministry of National Economy and Omantel here on Saturday.

The agreement comes as part of the government's plans to realise the Digital Oman initiative and e-governance.

The network is a key component of the government's strategy for establishing a digital society in the country.

The implementation of e-government will improve services, enable knowledge-based industries, support a more competitive environment, provide employment for Omani youths and enable better healthcare.

E-government will also improve educational opportunities, support tour-ism and enhance social development.

The agreement was signed by Mohammad Bin Nasser Al Khusaibi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of National Economy and Chairman of Information Technology, and Saud Bin Nasser Al Shikaili, Secretary-General of Taxation at the Ministry of Finance and Chairman of Omantel (Oman Telecommunications Company).

The agreement covers government plans to apply the steps on the Sultanate's digital community, first electronic government and integrating all government sector services.

The digital network will ensure a fast and secure exchange of information and data in the country. The system will help achieve the high standards of security laid down by the technical information committee.

According to the agreement Omantel will supply the equipment and maintain the network.

The company will offer monthly reports on the performance of the network and suggestions to improve services. Omantel will then manage whatever upgrades are called for.

The price structure of the network will be based on the speed of data transfer.

E-Government focuses on bridging the digital divide between the technology-enabled and other communities in society, while explaining to people about the immense opportunities and advantages offered by the initiatives.

To achieve this, the digital initiative will target various focus groups of Oman and conduct both IT awareness and literacy campaigns.

The writer is a journalist based in Muscat