Muscat: The government of Oman revealed its digital transformation project, part of the National Digital Economy Programme initiatives. It will be one of the main enablers towards accomplishing Oman Vision 2040, the nation’s long-term plan to achieve economic expansion and sustainability.
Launched by the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technology (MTCIT) and set to run until 2025, the programme’s executive plan is a continuation of Oman’s efforts in digital transformation by developing platforms to provide government services through digital channels and create legislation and regulations to enable this change.
The government envisions accomplishing the digital transformation programme within the time frame through four main tracks.
- Providing ease of access to people who use the Oman government’s electronic services;
- Efficient systems and solutions;
- Enabling change in leadership and capacity building to support sustainability,
- Encouraging communities to participate and cooperate towards building trust in public institutions
The programme would enable the government sector to strive towards innovation, provide smart services, proactive measures, and a sound online experience for customers.
One of the most critical processes of the programme is to simplify procedures and make operations proactive. They would review the current position of government services, classify them, make pertinent information available, document the related processes, and simplify their operations to ensure ease and speed of response.
This particular process also considers the principles adopted by the MTCIT to enable the efficiency of services and increase user penetration by diversifying the channels through which citizens could access the services.
Data is an essential element of digital transformation. Making it the main point of focus will help achieve long-term plans to reach advanced levels of e-governance, enable regular revision of services, increase the quality of service, and allow for standardisation of procedures. Data can also be made shareable or open, depending on its nature. Thus the unification, integration and availability of data are critical aspects of the programme.
The programme also requires digital integration and institutional cooperation between the units of the state administration.
It will help improve user experiences, make it easier to facilitate procedures, avoid duplication of work, and increase efficiency. A digital platforms and solutions hub is to be set up to improve institutional integration and create digital platforms for shared use, reducing spending and increasing work efficiency and planning.
Advanced digital architecture and agile management also come under the transformation programme. This particular aspect refers to the digital readiness necessary to enable efficiency, which includes upgrades to infrastructure related to hosting, integration, and networks.
Furthermore, the authorities will review the laws and regulations concerning digitisation to be in line with rapid technological changes and help define the relationships between all parties involved in implementing this plan.
These laws aim to positively impact digitisation through agile management that supports decision making, focuses on predictive analysis, and encourages real-time planning.
Attention has also been accorded to cybersecurity, with enhanced community awareness and confidence-building exercises to use smart services safely.
The Financial and Economic Committee of the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers will directly track the project’s progress.
The team will also help resolve challenges and identify the direction the programme needs to go.
A technical committee is established to support implementation and enhance coordination among all those involved.
Some OMR170 million is expected to be invested in this project. The money is to improve procedures, re-engineer government services, automate essential services, make them fully available digitally, improve digital infrastructure, and improve the competence of nationals in digital transformation and change management.
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