Muscat: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, in partnership with the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting (GOIC), has initiated field assessments of various factories as part of the "Smart Production Factories" initiative. This project is designed to modernize Oman’s industrial landscape by integrating advanced technologies in line with the principles of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
During this phase, a thorough evaluation of the participating factories will be conducted based on established criteria utilizing the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI).
The evaluation framework is structured around three primary pillars, which are further divided into 16 dimensions. This structure allows for a detailed analysis of each factory's preparedness to implement technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, along with tailored recommendations for enhancing performance and identifying development opportunities.
Eng. Idris bin Hassan Al-Sinan, Head of Knowledge-Based Industries at the General Directorate of Industry within the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, emphasized that this phase aims to assist 10 factories in embracing applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and achieving digital transformation.
The initiative is designed to transform 30% of factories in Oman into smart factories by 2026. A dedicated team, consisting of experts from the Gulf Organization for Industrial Consulting (GOIC) and a certified assessor from the International Centre for Industrial Transformation, is collaborating with ministry personnel to conduct site visits to the selected factories.
Al-Sinan emphasized that these visits are intended to evaluate the current conditions of the factories and engage with their teams to facilitate the assessment process.
This initiative is in line with the ministry’s strategy to fulfill the goals of the Industrial Strategy 2040, which seeks to boost the competitiveness of Oman’s industrial sector.
The program aims to facilitate the shift towards smart manufacturing facilities that utilize advanced technology, thereby enhancing productivity, lowering costs, increasing operational efficiency, and generating specialized job opportunities that correspond with educational outcomes.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion encourages all factories interested in digital transformation to take part in this project to leverage the opportunities it presents for improving their efficiency and market competitiveness.
