Oman Information Technology and Communications Group (OITCG) has signed an agreement with Oracle cloud data services company to build and provide a cloud infrastructure “Cloud@Customer” system.
The step comes after the OITCG studied the best solutions offered by major international cloud services firms to woo them into the setting up and operation of an integrated set of information technology built on an advanced cloud database, with full control over the infrastructure and data within the Sultanate as a measure to realize digital sovereignty.
Eng. Said bin Abdullah al-Mantheri, CEO of OITCG, said that Oracle was selected after in-depth survey of most cyber service operators, noting that Oman will be the first country in the world to use such an Oracle cloud@customer system enhanced with the best features that respond to future needs at suitable cost-effective rates that are commensurate to the volume of market requirements in the Sultanate.
The Ministry of Technology and Communications and OITCG will undertake the responsibility of stimulating demand and urging establishments to change and benefit from cloud services instead of continuing to utilize traditional systems, Eng. al-Mantheri explained.
He added that OITCG will work to support government and private establishments through the project so that they could keep pace with technological and technical progress in e-services and set up platforms capable of hosting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies like blockchains and utilize cloud@customer services to speed up digital transformation (build provider infrastructure, storage units, superfast data and impeccable data security).
OITCG was established in 2019 and its strategies were designed to fit with Oman Vision 2040 and strategies of Ministry of Technology and Communications. It recently received the stake of Oman Investment Authority in Oman Techology Fund and Oman Broadband, in addition to cyberspace communications firm.
Its operation under one roof will help in performance governance. It will also work to achieve unified economic and investment goals that support digital economy and AI, as well as providing the educational system and government institutions with smart apps.
The signing ceremony was attended by Sayyid Kamil bin Fahd al-Said, Assistant to Secretary General of the Office of Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, Board Chairman of OITCG, and Abdussalam al-Murshidi, Chairman of Oman Investment Authority.