The Digital Cooperation Organization Discusses Policies for Attracting Foreign Direct Investment in Digital Economy Sectors
The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, and in coordination with the World Economic Forum and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, organized a workshop to launch a project aimed at enhancing policies for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the digital economy in the Sultanate of Oman. The event was attended by decision-makers and experts from both the public and private sectors to share their insights on policies for attracting FDI in the digital sector and to review current and future initiatives and projects in this field.
The workshop discussed investment policies that enable foreign investment in emerging technologies and the adoption of digital technologies by government, private, and academic institutions. It also addressed foreign investment in digital infrastructure, the capacity of Omani companies to invest in foreign markets, and ways to increase digital services exports from Oman, aligning with the National Digital Economy Program and Oman Vision 2040 goals.
Mohsen bin Salim Al Araimi, Acting Director of the Technology Industry Department at the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, emphasized the importance of continuous support from the Digital Cooperation Organization and the World Economic Forum to attract more digital investments. He highlighted that enhancing digital investments would create new job opportunities and expand the knowledge base, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals.
Hajar Al Haddawi, Senior Advisor to the Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization, expressed her gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for hosting the workshop. She commended the efforts made to support digital investments and address the challenges they face, noting that such initiatives will contribute to building a strong digital economy that opens up new opportunities for growth and prosperity.
Matthew Stephenson, Head of Investment and Services at the World Economic Forum, highlighted the importance of the workshop as part of broader consultations aimed at supporting the growth of digital investments in Oman. He stressed that collaboration among all stakeholders would help identify effective policies to stimulate investments and foster innovation in the digital sector.
During 2024, the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, worked on several projects to attract foreign investments. The Ministry also participated in local and international events to promote tech startups and showcase Oman’s digital economy capabilities to attract high-quality digital investments.
It is worth mentioning that the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) is the first independent international governmental organization focused on accelerating inclusive and sustainable growth of the digital economy. Established in November 2020, the DCO aims to empower digital prosperity for all by fostering collaboration among its member states. The organization brings together the communications and information technology ministries of 16 countries, offering a unique platform for cooperation, knowledge sharing, and expertise exchange. It focuses on empowering youth and women, encouraging innovation, facilitating data flows, and enhancing international collaboration to create an investment-friendly environment that supports growth and innovation in the digital economy.