Monday 27 / April / 2026
Muscat: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology organized the "Makeen" Forum today under the theme "From Qualification to Impact," celebrating the initiative's fifth anniversary. The event was held under the patronage of His Excellency Dr. Mahad bin Said Ba'awain, Minister of Labor.
The forum included a panel discussion on the impact of the "Makeen" initiative on its participants and on the digital economy sector in the Sultanate of Oman. It also featured the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding: the first, between the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and the Programming Academy, is for the implementation of the Oman Programming Competition; the second, between the Ministry and Unity Technologies, is for cooperation in developing professional electronic games; and the third, between the Ministry and Bank Sohar, is for supporting employment in the technology sector.
His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Amer Al-Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and Information Technology, explained that the "Makeen" initiative represents a fundamental pillar in building the digital economy by equipping Omani talent with advanced digital skills and enhancing their competitiveness in the labor market.
He pointed out that investing in human resources contributes to building high-quality industries that support digital sovereignty and the national economy.
His Excellency indicated that the initiative has contributed to raising the Omanization rate in the information technology sector to 45.5 percent, employing 2,790 Omanis, and reaching a 69 percent rate in specialized and technical positions. In addition, it has introduced 4,949 Omanis into professions within the sector, reflecting a tangible improvement in the readiness of national talent.
His Excellency noted that the impact of the "Makeen" initiative extended beyond employment to include the development of emerging technology industries. The semiconductor sector witnessed remarkable growth, with over 150 Omani engineers and five startups. This growth was further fueled by expanded programs and investments that contributed to the emergence of new specializations within the local market. Additionally, the drone sector saw significant development through a comprehensive training program implemented in collaboration with Sultan Qaboos University. This program, combining training, competition, and employment opportunities, has benefited over 120 participants annually, contributing to the development of national talent, supporting company growth, and enhancing the Sultanate of Oman's regional presence in this field.
In the field of artificial intelligence, His Excellency emphasized that "Makeen" focused on combining practical training with innovation and supporting the establishment of technology companies. This was achieved through a range of specialized programs that have qualified over 800 trainees, preparing them to enter the job market in this sector.
He pointed out that this approach has contributed to market growth, with approximately 27 companies specializing in this field now operating in the Sultanate of Oman.
His Excellency added that the space sector witnessed remarkable growth between 2023 and 2025, with a 63 percent increase in the number of companies, a 163 percent rise in employment, and a more than 270 percent increase in investments, reflecting the sector's attractiveness and rapid expansion.
He further stated that several strategic projects were implemented, including OmanSat-1 and the Duqm launch platform, along with the development of laboratories and educational infrastructure, and the implementation of programs to develop talent and support startups.
His Excellency also noted the strengthening of the Sultanate of Oman's international presence through joining global agreements.
Regarding future directions, His Excellency explained that the next phase will focus on maximizing economic impact by training 10,000 job seekers over the next five years through two main tracks: the labour market readiness track, which aims to provide more than 5,000 high-quality training opportunities linked to market needs, and the capacity building track, which provides 5,000 training opportunities to enhance technical skills and knowledge.
His Excellency explained that the initiative will move to the empowerment phase, directly linked to employment and productivity. This will involve expanding specialized programs with precise technical expertise, enhancing practical field training in collaboration with leading local and international companies and factories, launching training programs in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and developing skilled digital leaders through programs designed to empower Omani talent.
He emphasized that keeping pace with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence has become a strategic imperative for the future of the national economy.
It is worth noting that since its launch, the "Makeen" initiative has registered over 27,000 participants in its programs, implemented 139 training programs across more than 30 technical fields, trained over 11,000 trainees, achieved a 50% employment rate in technical camps, awarded over 2,425 mini-technical certificates, and facilitated the participation of over 12,620 individuals in more than 14 local and international competitions. This reflects the effectiveness of the programs in developing national technical capabilities and expanding the base of beneficiaries.
The forum was attended by His Excellency Engineer Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Amer Al Shidhani, Undersecretary of the Ministry for Communications and Information Technology, and a number of officials from the public and private sectors.
