Muscat: Oman is experiencing a significant acceleration in its digital transformation, with the unified electronic government portal taking a prominent role in revolutionizing access to government services for citizens and residents.
This portal is designed to enhance processes and provide a more cohesive user experience, representing a major advancement in the nation’s commitment to improving the efficiency and accessibility of public services.
Eng. Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and General Supervisor of the National Government Digital Transformation Programme, praised the initiative as a transformative step in the delivery of government services.
Transforming service delivery
“The introduction of the unified portal goes beyond mere service integration; it fundamentally changes how we provide these services, ensuring they are quicker, more accessible, and aligned with international digital standards. This initiative is crucial for boosting the efficiency and responsiveness of our government services,” Al Maawali stated.
The unified portal brings together a variety of services into a single platform, minimizing the necessity for users to navigate through multiple ministry websites.
The portal consolidates services from major government entities, such as the Royal Oman Police, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Housing, and Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, with additional ministries set to join in future phases.
Al Maawali highlighted that the unified portal was developed in alignment with Oman Vision 2040, with the goal of fostering a more responsive and user-centric government service environment.
“Our aim is straightforward: to establish a digital platform that efficiently delivers government services to citizens, enhancing our global standing in digital services while ensuring an optimal user experience,” he stated.
Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, discussed the pivotal role of the portal within Oman’s comprehensive digital strategy.
“Embracing digital transformation is crucial for keeping up with global technological progress. The unified portal represents a significant step towards streamlining complex processes, minimizing the necessity for in-person interactions, and boosting public confidence in the efficiency of our government sector,” he remarked.
The initial phase of the portal features 91 integrated digital services and is currently accessible to users from ten government institutions.
Phase one marks the initial step in our journey. As we enhance the portal's capabilities, additional services will be introduced gradually, ultimately offering a comprehensive suite of digital services for both citizens and residents, Dr. Al Shidhani noted.
“Our aim is to ensure the portal adapts and grows in response to the evolving needs of our community.” Eng. Saeed bin Abdullah Al Mandhari, CEO of Ithkaa Group, which is managing the portal's development, emphasized the project's significance in enhancing user accessibility. “We envisioned a unified, user-friendly platform that integrates the various government services currently dispersed across multiple portals,” he stated.
“By bringing these services together, we are removing redundancies and creating a seamless experience that can be accessed anytime, anywhere.” A notable aspect of the portal is its commitment to accessibility, including features designed for individuals with disabilities.
“We have made certain that the portal complies with international accessibility standards, ensuring that all users have equal access to services,” Al Mandhari elaborated.
“Our emphasis is on inclusivity, making sure that everyone, regardless of their physical capabilities, can easily navigate and take advantage of the digital services available.” Eng. Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Kharousi, Director General of Digital Transformation at the Ministry, highlighted the technological benefits of the portal.
The unified portal is supported by a strong infrastructure that guarantees exceptional performance and swift response times, he stated.
"We have integrated cutting-edge features, including real-time predictive analytics and user-friendly service evaluation tools, to enable government agencies to consistently enhance service delivery through user feedback and data-driven insights."
Additionally, the portal includes a range of digital tools designed to assist government entities in accelerating the development of priority services.
"The platform's capability to connect with existing systems and adapt to emerging technological innovations facilitates rapid updates and improvements in services," Al Kharousi emphasized.
Through the unified government portal, Oman is making significant progress in advancing its digital infrastructure, streamlining the delivery of public services, and addressing the needs of a digital-first generation.
As more services are incorporated and the portal continues to develop, it is poised to become a fundamental element of the Sultanate’s future vision, further reinforcing Oman’s status as a regional leader in digital governance.
