Oman’s “Together Forward” Forum Highlights Dialogue, Economic Policy Integration, and Digital Transformation
Muscat, The Gulf Observer: His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of Sultanate of Oman, has underscored the importance of opinions, ideas, and proposals presented during the fourth edition of the “Together Forward” forum, reaffirming the government’s commitment to dialogue as a cornerstone of national development.
Speaking during a special dialogue session of the forum, HH Sayyid Theyazin expressed appreciation to participants and organizers, noting that the event—organized by the Secretariat General of the Council of Ministers—reflects a national approach rooted in transparency, responsibility, and open engagement. He emphasized that dialogue remains a firm platform for listening, exchanging views, and shaping shared visions.
HH Sayyid Theyazin stated that previous editions of the forum consistently provided opportunities to hear proposals from diverse segments of society, adding that, following the recent ministerial restructuring and his assignment to oversee the economic portfolio, the forum would continue as an open space for exchanging perspectives on issues of public concern. He stressed that participants’ insights and aspirations constitute tangible inputs for the ongoing development of policies and procedures.
He further explained that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs is tasked with supervising public policies and strategies for economic development in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy of Oman, other ministries, and relevant entities, ensuring alignment and unified efforts to achieve national objectives. He noted that Oman’s economic framework is based on institutional integration, with policies formulated through precise scientific analysis and implemented within a coordinated and effective government structure.
Several ministers participated in the dialogue session, responding to questions and aspirations raised by attendees. The forum’s activities continued for a second day, featuring sessions focused on improving government services to enhance productivity and competitiveness, promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship, and examining the role of the Five-Year Plan and priority sectors in building a diversified and sustainable economy.
During the first session, Said Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, reported a 400 percent improvement in government digital transformation performance from early 2022 to 2025. Mansour Talib Al Hinai, Chairman of the Authority for Public Services Regulation, stated that investments in sectors overseen by the authority range between RO 6 billion and RO 7 billion.
Meanwhile, Ali Amer Al Shithani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, said around 1,600 projects are included in digital transformation plans across 57 government institutions, with approximately 75 percent completed. He added that satisfaction with electronic government services stands at 78 percent, with 4,100 services available nationwide, and highlighted 32 projects under the National Program for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies aimed at boosting productivity.
In the investment sphere, Ibtisam Ahmed Al Farooji, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion for Investment Promotion, said 200 Omani companies exported products worth RO 500 million between 2024 and 2025. Hilal Abdullah Al Hinai, General Supervisor of the National Platform for Proposals, Complaints, and Reports “Tajawob,” announced the launch of a voice-recording feature to broaden access and improve interaction quality.
During the second session, Mahad Said Ba’awain, Minister of Labour, disclosed that RO 100 million in fines were waived in 2025 as part of workforce regularization efforts. Halima Rashid Al Zari’ee, Chairperson of the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development “Riyada,” said 11,000 Omani SMEs participated in external exhibitions last year, while the number of micro-enterprises increased by about 45,000 between 2022 and 2025. She added that home-based business owners reached 14,000, including 7,000 in crafts.
Additionally, Khalid Salim Al Ghamarai, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labour for Labour, reported that 2,500 people with disabilities were employed in the private sector by the end of 2025, with 2,000 employed in government roles and 100 new opportunities to be offered in the coming period.
The “Together Forward” forum is held under the Royal attention of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and serves as a key communication channel between the government and society. The forum aims to strengthen transparency, partnership, and mutual trust, while enabling all segments of society to share opinions, proposals, and concerns in shaping Oman’s future.
