The project is expected to improve business processes through providing over 66 eServices available through mobile applications or the website.
"One-stop-shop has been evolving for quite sometime. Today eight government agencies are coming together to sign one deal to make sure they interact with you using one window. Through that window, the government grants a licence or refuse the application," Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce & Industry told journalists after signing the pact.
Actually, it is simple and cost-effective for SMEs to run IT solutions, which give a boost to their businesses. According to the Oman IT Market Report, released recently by Business Monitor International (BMI), the Oman market is forecast to be worth US$410mn in 2013, up 6.5 per cent from an estimated US$385mn in 2012. The BMI report says the government is expected to be a significant driver of Omani IT spending over the next five years. The Information Technology Authority (ITA) has launched a number of IT-related infrastructure projects, with one core component being the ICT SME Development Programme, a business development initiative designed to create a database of ICT-related SMEs in Oman.
Read more: IT instrumental in growth and transformation of SMEs in Oman
The workshop comes as a series of awareness sessions being organized by ITA to further assist government organizations in finalizing their eTransformation Plan, as part of the eGovernment Transformation Strategy.
On hand to receive the Lithuanian delegation was Dr Salim Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, chief executive officer of ITA alongwith Yaqoob Al Balushi, the deputy CEO of Infrastructure and eServices, and Omar Al Shanfari, the deputy CEO of Operations.
Read more: OM: Lithuania keen for closer ties with Oman’s ITA
From November 1 this year, the fees will be only collected through ‘electronic payment cards’.
An announcement on the municipality website says, “In accordance with the government guidance to implement E.government, Muscat Municipality would like to announce that all collection of fees will be through electronic payment cards with effect from November 1, 2013.”
Read more: OM: No more cash, only e-payment for Muscat Municipality fees from Nov 1