Oman has announced efforts to boost its GDP through digital programs lined up in the country. According to the country, it plans to build a strong digital economy through its National Digital Economy Programme, which is expected to focus on three pillars.

In its statement, the country has highlighted that the program will focus on aspects like digital government, business digitization, and digital society. Oman intends to raise the sector’s contribution to its GDP to 10% by the end of 2040.

According to Dr Ali bin Amer al Shaithani, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MoTCIT), the digital economy is expected to contribute around 3% to the country’s GDP by the end of this year.

Oman wants a 10% GDP boost from its digital economy

The program aligns with the Oman Vision 2040. It is also expected to happen in four stages. The stages include digital government integration and exporting digital services. Oman has been making progress worldwide in terms of its digital initiatives. The country ranks 45th in AI readiness, 41st in e-Government development, 1st in cybersecurity readiness, and 50th in network readiness. The goal is to reach the top 20 globally in those metrics.

One of the key milestones for the country was launching the National Programme for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Digital Technologies in 2023. The program promotes AI adoption across sectors, localizes AI technologies, and establishes a governance framework. It is presently running about 32 projects that are focused on boosting AI readiness, startups, and research output. One of the flagship programs of the initiative is the AI Economics Initiative.

Other projects include Mu’een AI, an Omani language model that is being used by the government, the AI Studio, AI Makers, and the National Open Data Portal. In its quest to advance innovation, Oman also launched the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in a collaboration with the World Economic Forum. The country also issued a National Policy for the Safe and Ethical Use of AI, forming an AI Experts Committee that consists of public, private, and academic sectors to oversee things.

Oman has also launched the Oman Digital Triangle to host AI data centers using green energy. In addition, the Green AI Alliance program will bring together 34 companies and institutions to promote sustainable AI investment in the country. Oman also announced an Artificial Intelligence Zone near Muscat International Airport. The zone offers incentives to attract regional AI firms and reinforce Oman’s position as a digital innovation center in the Middle East.

Oman is not the only country looking to bolster its digital economy. As previously reported by Cryptopolitan, India has also announced that it is setting up an AI governance group and expert panel by December. The country is moving fast to set up the committee to push the objectives that have been outlined in the India AI governance guidelines. The group will also lend expertise from several agencies so that all the bases can be covered.

It is expected that after the groups are formed, India will move a step forward to develop regulatory sandboxes and tool-building programs. This way, the country will be able to create a balance between aiding innovation and protecting consumers. India, just like most countries, is moving fast in the AI scene, as countries continue to look for ways to push for the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

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