The Council of Arab Ministers for Communications and Information announced that Muscat will be the Arab Digital Capital for 2022.

The decision was at the conclusion of the 25th session of the Arab minister’s council hosted today via videoconferencing by the Arab League’s technical secretariat general of Arab Ministers of Communications and Information.

Eng. Said Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, said that the decision reflects the confidence of Arab countries in the digital and legal capabilities of Oman, the latest of which the Council of Ministers’ endorsement of the National Digital Economy Programme.

The Minister told Oman News Agency (ONA) that Oman seeks to create a hallmark of digitalization in the Arab world. Oman’s candidacy file was presented under the logo ‘Digital Future That Generates Opportunities’, which aligns with Oman Vision 2040.

He added that the file laid emphasis on three main axes, which are ‘cyber-security, digital innovation and digital capabilities development’.

The Ministry has a programme to develop the talents of Arab youth in the field of digital skills, besides enriching the Arab digital content, fostering cooperation among member countries, and encouraging investment in the digital economy, the minister explained.

Al Maawali pointed out that Muscat Governorate spearheads digital transformation in Oman and espouses advanced techniques that boost economic and social growth, while at the same time empowering other sectors, attracting local, regional, and international investments, and bolstering intra-Arab digital integration.

Meanwhile, Sayyid Saud Hilal Al Busaidi, Minister of State and Governor of Muscat, said that the victory is an incentive to exert more efforts towards a digital transformation that responds to the goals of Oman Vision 2040, notably creating smart technical systems that motivate innovation, developing skills and consolidating institutional partnerships.

Al Busaidi told ONA that the selection of Muscat as Arab Digital Capital is testimony to model digital capabilities and resources to attract promising investments in the field of technology and communications.

“By hosting the event, Muscat Governorate’s Office seeks to make the capital’s digital programmes harmonious with the four axes of the Capital’s Strategy of Excellence, namely sustainable environment, corporate/institutional governance, economic development and society. The strategy puts the city on track for the incarnation of a desired digital reality that will reflect positively on the daily life of individuals and establishments,” said Al Busaidi.

Oman’s delegation at the 25th meeting of the Arab Minister of Communications and Information Technology was headed by Dr. Ali Amer Al Shidhani, Communications and Information Technology Undersecretary at the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology.

The Arab digital capital is selected on an annual basis to host successful initiatives and models. The city organises a cluster of events that highlight its excellence in upgrading the economic, social, health, and educational environment, besides augmenting the welfare of society and showcasing its capabilities to become a global leader in the fourth industrial revolution (4IR).