Gov & Regulators

Bridging the gap between the knowledge that graduates acquire during their academic study and the practical experience required by the labour market in both the public and private sectors is crucial. To this end, the Information Technology Authority (ITA) has taken the lead to bridge this gap by offering IT training and certification opportunities that aim to increase the number of certified IT individuals in different IT domains to meet the immediate needs in the ICT sector.

SITT Program
The National IT Training & Awareness Framework (NITTA) initiative is a governmental nation-wide e.oman initiative aimed at developing information communication technology skills capability and increasing ICT awareness and proficiency within the Government and the community. One of the key initiatives that falls under the NITTA umbrella is the Specialized IT Training (SITT) program.

SITT focuses on providing specialized IT training courses and granting opportunities to obtain specialized certificates, thereby increasing the number of holders of specialized certificates in the different IT fields. Moreover, the program contributes to meeting the current needs for the ICT industry in the public and private sectors, as well as satisfying future needs so as to enhance the growth of the local ICT sector. In this way, competencies, skills, and experiences necessary for the development of the ICT industry are provided, in addition to contributing to the different initiatives to achieve the objectives of the e.oman strategy and eGovernment in the Sultanate.

Muscat, June 2nd 2013 - Oman Road Safety Association (ORSA), the first and only registered non-governmental road safety organisation in the Sultanate, received a cheque donation recently from Muscat Kathiyawadi Parivar (MKP) and Majan Events Company following the successful charity music event entitled ‘Silsila’ held in April.  The funds raised were received by ORSA’s Board of Directors and staff members to support the ‘Safer Kids… Safer Oman’ campaign.

In addition to the 2500 Rials donation, the association also received another 2500 Rials from Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) and Oman Oil Company during the event. In support of the cause, Majan Events Company is designing a dedicated website for Oman Road Safety Association which is currently underway.

Muscat, May 29th 2013 – The Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (PAIPED) exhibited at the recent Korea Overseas Investment Fair 2013 (KOIF) in Seoul and promoted Oman as a destination of choice for automobile, IT and logistic businesses looking to relocate and penetrate the fast growing Middle East and Asian markets.

PAIPED’s Investment Services Director, Sulaiman Al Harrasi, said: “Oman continues to prioritize inward investment and the export of non-oil products, a clear goal of the eighth Five Year Plan 2011-2015. Oman’s strategically placed to serve a large international market with significant commercial potential. Combine that with a talented workforce, state-of-the art infrastructure, great connectivity and free trade agreements with the US and GAFTA in the Arab World and Oman becomes a serious contender for businesses looking to relocate and penetrate Middle East and Asian markets.”

Al Harrasi added: “As the government body tasked with promoting inward investment and export promotion, we’ve researched thoroughly Oman’s business landscape and found that targeting specialist markets will attract high-yielding products and technology – factors that will help drive the Sultanate’s economic growth.

HE Dr. Al Ismaily: “We must create an environment that turns our young job seekers into job creators”

Muscat, May 28^th 2013 – HE Dr. Salem Al Ismaily, Chairman of Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (PAIPED), and head of the Omani delegation at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa, delivered a speech extolling the merits of shifting towards an innovative economy and turning today’s job seekers into tomorrow’s opportunity makers. As the event came to a close in Jordan, HE Dr. Al Ismaily spoke at a session organized by CNBC television explaining the Sultanate’s efforts in moving from a resource-based economy towards an economy based on innovation and creativity.

Infra Oman 2013 which will be held from 30 September – 02 October, is organized in co-operation with the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and supported by German Industry & Commerce Office (AHK), German Near & Middle East Association (NUMOV), Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), Singapore Business Federation (SBF), Spanish Economic & Trade Office, Ministry of Economy (DTM), UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association (CSDA) and Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors (VACC).

Muscat, May 22^nd 2013 – A champion for environmental preservation across all its operations, Omran recently received the national and GCC awards for ‘Water and Water Reuse Project of the Year’ at the MEED Quality Awards for Projects 2013. The accolade was presented to the company for the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) located at the Crowne Plaza Duqm following a stringent evaluation process conducted by a team of independent judges who recognized the project for its simple yet innovative design that has shown considerable results.

Polyolefin Plastic Arabia Conference next week in Muscat

Keeping in pace with latest developments in regional and global supply and demand dynamics of polyolefins, Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) is all set to host the Polyolefin Plastic Arabia Conference on May 27 and 28 at Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel, informed Hilal bin Hamad Al Hasani, Chief Executive Officer of PEIE.
"The conference is expected to gather more than 500 participants representing various local, regional and international organisations related to plastics," Al Hasani said, adding: "Presentations on investment opportunities in Oman and a variety of business topics relevant to today’s global plastics industry will also be presented and discussed during the two-day conference. Polyolefin Plastic Arabia will offer a high-quality technical platform related to Polyolefins like SPE’s many renowned topical conferences held in North America and Europe. Original, peer-reviewed presentations will be on the spotlight highlighting developments triggered in polyolefin related fields including Global Business Trends in Polyolefin Industry, Sustainability and Recycling of Plastics, New Polyolefin Applications, Advances in Processing for Polyolefins, and Reinforced Polyolefin and Nanotechnology." It should be noted that the conference will be organised in partnership with the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE).
Meanwhile, Al Hasani pointed out that PEIE continues to achieve growth rates soaring in various fields as the total investment in the estates amounted to approximately OMR 4.4 billion in 2012, and the number of projects touched 1,287, from which 184 are under construction and 377 are allotted with lands. Many of these projects are expected to initiate their operations during this year and next year.

Under the theme ‘ICTs and Improving Road Safety’, today the Sultanate celebrates the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2013, which is annually marked on the 17^th of May. Organized by the Information Technology Authority (ITA), the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications, the event takes place at the Al Bustan Palace - A Ritz Carlton Hotel beginning at 9 AM, under the patronage of Major General Abdullah bin Ali Al Harthy, Chairman of the Public Authority for Civil Defense and Ambulance.

The event aims to raise awareness on the importance of information and communications technology (ICT), the possibilities and services it provides to the development of economies and communities, as well as the effective ways to bridge the digital divide between the participating countries on the one hand, and between individuals and groups on the other. This year’s celebration highlights the new technological possibilities that exist to ensure safety on roads and works to eliminate the community’s negative views that technology is the root cause of road accidents.