The Sultanate continues to score high in government functions such as effectiveness of law-making bodies (12th) and the efficiency of the legal system (14th), clearly indicating that Oman's transition plans to become a knowledge-based society are making significant headway.
Popular use of technology continues to score highly as mobile phone subscriptions total 159.3 per 100 people, indicating that more than 50 per cent of the population operates multiple devices.
The report also shows 62.7 per cent of Omani households have access to a personal computer with 60 per cent using the Internet. Oman ranks 12th in the world in government procurement of advanced technology, 13th in the importance of ICT in the government's vision and 15th in government's success in ICT promotion shows. The report indicates that private sector investment in ICT is increasing as Oman ranks 14th in the world for available venture capital.
Commenting on Oman's GITR ranking, Azzan Al Busaidi, Ithraa's Director-General for Research & IT Services, said: "The report places Oman above the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China. We fully recognise that ICT can also help us improve health, education, industry, tourism, agriculture, and boosting small businesses as well as enhancing our transport and communications. It is a crucial component in helping Oman become more competitive. The results of this year's Global Information Technology Readiness Report clearly demonstrate that the investment being made in technology by the government and our private sector is paying dividends."
GITR 2014 highlighted that little progress is being made to bridge the digital divide between technology savvy nations and others. The stalling of progress is worrisome for emerging and developing nations, which are at a risk of missing out on many positive impacts that ICT can usher, including increased innovation, economic competitiveness and greater social inclusion. One of the key findings of the report is that countries cannot only rely on ICT infrastructure development to become competitive. Rather, the benefits of ICT can only be fully derived when a country implements a holistic strategy aimed at creating conditions for skills, innovation and entrepreneurship to flourish alongside modern infrastructure.
Ithraa's Al Busaidi went on to add: "ICT connects people to the latest thinking and ideas and has radically transformed the way we do business."
"Oman's overall GITR ranking indicates that affordable access to technology is helping unlock the country's talent and supporting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly among the Sultanate's youth. It is making us a more competitive nation. ICT is without doubt accelerating competition and by promoting its uptake, we can ensure a steady stream of good jobs into the 21st century. Technology is helping us build an economy that works for everyone. And it's imperative that we support the outstanding work that is being done in the ICT space by so many organisations in Oman's public and private sector."
Competitive position
Reflecting on the report's results, Shariffa Mohamed Al Maskary, Director of International Relations and Information at the Information Technology Authority, said, "The report shows a good improvement for the Sultanate in many areas in which the Sultanate maintains its competitive position among the countries of the world. In the ICT usage and Government Efficiency Index, the Sultanate improved its rank at 18 out of 148 countries participating in the report. This is a good indicator showing the Information and Communications Technology sector's progress and impact on the economy and the society in general through the initiatives and projects undertaken in terms of community capacity building and IT skills.
The Sultanate is now ranked 13 in the importance of Information and Communications Technology to government's vision which is an indicator of the consistent and integrated efforts made to achieve the Digital Society and eGovernment Strategy of the Sultanate. The Sultanate also shows an increasing growth in the Government Procurement of Advance Technology in which Oman is now ranked 12th compared to 17th in the 2013 report. In terms of the impact of ICTs on new services and products index, the Sultanate improved by five ranks from 55th in 2013 to 50th this year."
---
Quelle/Source: Times of Oman, 26.04.2014
Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit:
