IfG.CC -
Institute for eGovernment

Dr Salim AL Ruzaiqi, CEO of Information Technology Authority (ITA) noted that the law incorporated strict penalties for anyone misusing electronic systems, the applications and the data they contain, hacking into computer systems and un-authorised capture or tampering of data.

The project named Community IT Training pilot project (CITT) is part of nationwide initiative to provide ICT training opportunities for Omanis to help them fully participate in 'eOman'.

The e-purse facility in the national ID and resident cards launched last year is all set to emerge as a convenient tool for all financial transactions later this year. The e-purse services, hitherto loaded only at the Royal Oman Police (ROP) ID card office in Seeb, will be extended to the general public at all banks, government agencies and retailers.

Citizens and residents can load amounts ranging from RO 5 to RO 1,000 on their ID/resident cards for e-payment anywhere in Oman. This will help promote electronic transactions in a big way and further enhance security of card transactions.

Tariq Hilal Al Barwani, the founder and president of KnowledgeOman said: “The government sector has done an amazing job of introducing an electronic means where public can do their day-to-day transactions simply via the world-wide web. We have realised that it is important that we combine all the entry points into a single link under one roof, and therefore we have created KO e-Gateway to serve the community in Oman”.

In line with the e-governance project that aims to digitalise knowledge and information for easy access and use, Oman Mobile teamed with the Ministry of Civil Services to launch a SMS job announcement service for vacancies in the public sector.

Oman has won the coveted award among over 700 projects from 168 countries across the globe in the World Summit Award 2009. This innovative solution has also won the best e-content in the Arab region in the e-government category at the Bahrain International eGovernment Forum 2009 under the WSA program.

Dr. Salim Al Ruzaiqi. CEO of ITA and Mr. Seah Chin Siong, CEO of IDA International sign this agreement on the 15th of March 2009 in the presence of the President of Singapore HE S. R. Nathan, HE Sheikh Al Fadhel Al Harthy, Undersecretary for Development Affairs Ministry of National Economy and Deputy of Chairman of ITA and other high level dignitaries of the Singaporean delegation.

This portal was launched by H.E Ahmed Rashid Mohammed al Mamari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development in the presence of Dr. Salim Al Ruzaiqi, CEO of ITA and Mr. Mohamed Ali Al Qaed, CEO of eGovernment Authority, Kingdom of Bahrain.

Nassir bin Humaid Al Khiyari, Director-General of the Administrative and Financial Affairs at the Ministry of Information, head of implementing the plan of e-transformation highlighted what have been done and what will be done in this regard.

The e-Education seminar was aimed at offering an information platform on how technology can support academic approaches and enrich the learning environment for students and teachers, a press release said.

Ministry of Defence agencies celebrated the launch of its electronic programmes.

A statement issued by the Oman News Agency said that, on Thursday, the Ministry of Defence at the Ministry of Defence Pension Fund theatre celebrated the launch of a number of electronic programmes under the patronage of His Excellency Dr Mohammed bin Nasser bin Ali Al Zaabi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence.

The five-day event, to be officially inaugurated by senior royal family member Sayyid Shihab bin Tareq Al Said, will play host to more than 100 companies from the GCC and abroad.

Muscat, Oman’s capital, is famous for its low-rise buildings and long history. Unlike Dubai, known for its skyscrapers, Muscat has preserved its traditional look. However, now, as Oman plans for a future without oil, it is working to modernize the city with a $2.6 billion Smart City project.

The country is pouring billions of dollars into new projects. One of the biggest is Sultan Haitham City. This new development will focus on keeping buildings low while providing homes for both locals and visitors, according to The Wall Street Journal’s YouTube video earlier this month.

Citing the soon-to-be-released UN eGovernment Survey Report 2014, Richard Kerby said the countries of the entire Gulf region were moving closer to the ranks of European countries in eGovernment achievements. He said that when the report would be released in the middle of the year, there would be good news for the country. However, he did not divulge the details of the report, which is still awaited.

The UAE General Information Authority (GIA) has honoured its Omani counterpart, Information Technology Authority (ITA) for its role in helping promote e-governance.

The felicitation took place on the sidelines of the First Gulf Cooperation Council eGovernment Conference.

Through the establishment of secure infrastructure, national IT training and capacity building, the launch of the Official eGovernment Services Portal, in addition to standards frameworks, policies, and increased awareness, Oman has placed in the 50th position in the Global IT Report 2009-2010 among 133 countries, released 25 March 2010, by the World Economic Forum.

Decades back when Oman had first embarked on its development journey; heavy trucks loaded with tonnes of construction materials journeyed around the country to transform the nation into a modern country.

Today, the scene has changed dramatically as the modern world lies beneath the network and cables that transmit data and the innovative ICT solutions that reshape our lives to become smarter.

Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel), the Sultanate’s premier telecoms provider, on Saturday announced the formation of a dedicated division focused on delivering Information Communication Technology (ICT) services to public and private sector clients across the Sultanate.

The division offers clients unprecedented opportunity for comprehensive technology solutions, made possible by Omantel’s leading global partnerships and expansive network infrastructure. The formation of the new division aligns with Omantel’s vision to bridge the digital divide, roll-out smart technology and launch innovative business and e-Government services, accelerating Oman’s ascension towards better ICT preparedness and global standings.

Muscat Municipality and Oman Telecommunications Company Omantel signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to employ the information technology solutions and services in developing municipal services and making the two cities of Muscat and Sohar smart and sustainable.

Eng. Isam Saud Hareb Al Zadjali, Chairman of Muscat Municipality and Sheikh Talal bin Said Al Mamari, the CEO of Omantel, signed the memorandum on behalf of both Muscat Municipality and Omantel, in the presence of Abdulsalam Mohammed Al Murshidi, the chairman of the governing council of Omantel, in the presence of officials from both sides.