Latest news with #MTCIT
Muscat Daily
19 hours ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Oman targets bigger AI role in economy with new initiatives
Muscat – Oman is taking steps to increase the contribution of the artificial intelligence (AI) sector to its national economy by expanding the number of specialised start-ups and boosting research and investment in the field. Hassan bin Fida Hussain al Lawati, Head of National Programme for AI and Advanced Digital Technologies at Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), said the programme benefits economic, development and service sectors, directly impacting citizens' quality of life. He said the programme aims to increase the number of technology companies specialising in AI by 20% each year. The number of such companies now exceeds 25, up from fewer than ten at the programme's launch last year. Cumulative investments in AI projects have reached about RO60mn over the last four years, with annual investment expected to grow by 20%. Hassan bin Fida Hussain al Lawati In September 2024, the Council of Ministers approved the National Programme for AI and Advanced Digital Technologies as part of a broader strategy built on three pillars, the first of which is promoting AI adoption in economic and development sectors. The second focuses on localising AI technologies and developing national expertise to position Oman as a technology producer. The third pillar governs AI and digital applications with a human-centred approach to ensure ethical and effective use under flexible laws. Lawati noted that Oman moved up five places in the Oxford Insight Government AI Readiness Index, ranking 45th globally out of 193 countries in 2024, compared to 50th in 2023. It ranks fifth in the Middle East and North Africa and fourth in the Gulf. Oman aims to join the world's top 30 countries in this field, he added. He further informed that MTCIT, in partnership with University of Technology and Applied Sciences, launched an initiative called AI Makers to encourage work in the field and reward top researchers, scientific papers and projects in AI. MTCIT also introduced a competition called 'Engineer it with AI' to support local development in generative AI, enhance national skills and encourage innovation. The contest aims to boost economic returns by helping new start-ups and raising national performance indicators. In addition, an initiative called Humanising AI has been launched to maintain a balance between technical progress and the human aspect of service delivery, ensuring inclusivity for all groups in society.
Zawya
4 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman to have centre of excellence for semiconductors
Muscat – The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has invited bids for consultancy services to help develop a national semiconductor ecosystem in Oman, including plans for a Centre of Excellence for Semiconductors and Electronic Chips. Specialised firms with experience in the semiconductor and electronic chip industry have been called to participate in the tender. The selected consultancy will advise on the creation of the centre and support wider efforts to position Oman as a regional player in this strategic sector. MTCIT said companies must demonstrate a strong track record in managing similar national and commercial projects in line with the scope outlined in the tender documents. The Centre of Excellence is central to the ministry's plan to strengthen Oman's place in the global semiconductor value chain. It will work to attract investments, support advanced chip design and manufacturing, and create high-skilled jobs in design, testing and research. The centre will also focus on technology transfer and localisation to build national capacity over the long term. Interested firms can register and purchase documents through the Tender Board's eTendering portal. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Muscat Daily
5 days ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Centre of excellence for semiconductors planned
By OUR CORRESPONDENT Muscat – The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) has invited bids for consultancy services to help develop a national semiconductor ecosystem in Oman, including plans for a Centre of Excellence for Semiconductors and Electronic Chips. Specialised firms with experience in the semiconductor and electronic chip industry have been called to participate in the tender. The selected consultancy will advise on the creation of the centre and support wider efforts to position Oman as a regional player in this strategic sector. MTCIT said companies must demonstrate a strong track record in managing similar national and commercial projects in line with the scope outlined in the tender documents. The Centre of Excellence is central to the ministry's plan to strengthen Oman's place in the global semiconductor value chain. It will work to attract investments, support advanced chip design and manufacturing, and create high-skilled jobs in design, testing and research. The centre will also focus on technology transfer and localisation to build national capacity over the long term. Interested firms can register and purchase documents through the Tender Board's eTendering portal.
Zawya
22-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman backs 55 tech startups under Nomu programme
Muscat – Fifty-five technology startups have been accepted into the second edition of the Nomu Programme, an initiative by Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT) aimed at accelerating the growth of promising early-stage companies. At an introductory meeting held by the ministry on Wednesday, participating startups were briefed on the programme's services, including workshops, one-on-one consultations, marketing support, and business development opportunities. Representatives from key partner organisations – including the 'Madar' platform and the Capital Market Incentive Programme – gave presentations outlining the tools and resources available to participants. The event also featured dialogue sessions with startups from the first edition of the programme, offering an opportunity to share experiences and insights. Ministry officials said the initiative is designed to build an ecosystem where startups in the initial and accelerated growth stages can thrive. 'The programme provides participating companies with the necessary knowledge and skills to grow and expand, both locally and regionally,' a ministry official said. Nomu targets startups with a functioning prototype and a proven user base, as well as those that have secured early-stage funding. © Apex Press and Publishing Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
21-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
MTCIT to intensify efforts to get street taxis to join apps
Muscat: With its efforts to get Orange and White Street taxis to join licensed app-based companies, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT) intends to launch a public awareness campaign to educate drivers on the importance of joining the application with the help of specialized international and regional companies. According to the sources in the industry, despite repeated deadlines, getting everyone on board has been challenging, even though thousands of drivers are already operating under app-based companies. MTCIT has been stressing that taxi apps are essential to ensure transparency by setting fixed prices before the trip, and security by tracking and monitoring the route. The licensed companies will guarantee drivers that services are available quickly. The clear pricing and payment systems will benefit both drivers and customers, apart from the ease of use and privacy of the user's data. MTCIT wanted all Orange and White taxis should be part of the licensed companies from April 1, 2025, but efforts are yet to yield results. But several owners are reluctant to adapt to the new system, including the conditions and fares set by the companies and the ministry. Individual taxi operators can join OTaxi, Tasleem, Marhaba, Oman Taxi, Hala, and Taxi Muscat, which operate via mobile applications. The government said it has determined to improve and raise the level of taxi services in the country. As of January 2025, there are 28,241 registered taxis in the Sultanate of Oman, and several of them operate under companies. Speaking to the Observer, Eng Khamis bin Mohammed al Shammakhi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Transport, said, 'We focus a lot on streamlining taxi services as part of our plans to improve public transport and the main objective is to ensure that all taxis should be metered (even orange and white street taxis ) through applications.' He said that there have been challenges, but progress has been made on that front. 'Today, we have eight app-based taxi companies operating in the country.'
