Oman expands smart factories initiative

MUSCAT: The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), in partnership with the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting, has launched the second phase of its “Smart Production Factories” project, reinforcing Oman’s industrial digital transformation journey.
The initiative, running until 2026, aims to integrate Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies into Omani factories, enhancing productivity, efficiency and competitiveness while supporting sustainable digital growth in the sector.
The first phase of the project focused on raising awareness about advanced industrial technologies, preparing a comprehensive “Smart Production Factories” guide based on the global SIRI assessment framework and conducting introductory workshops across Oman’s governorates.
Twenty factories were assessed and provided with digital transformation plans, while national assessors were trained and certified. The phase also included partnerships with international organisations such as the International Centre for Industrial Transformation and the launch of the Advanced Automation Centre.
In the newly launched second phase, the Ministry plans to assess 60 additional factories during 2025 in cooperation with the International Centre for Industrial Transformation. The assessment process includes preliminary meetings, field visits in October and November; and the preparation of detailed reports with transformation recommendations.
The Ministry will also work to create an ecosystem that encourages Omani companies to specialise in industrial assessments and provide digital manufacturing solutions. These efforts aim to boost industrial diversification and competitiveness in line with Oman Vision 2040.
Engineer Idris bin Hassan al Sinan, Head of the Knowledge-Based Industries Department at MoCIIP, said the second phase reaffirms the Ministry’s commitment to accelerating industrial digitalisation. “Through this project, we seek to build specialised national capabilities, foster innovation and strengthen the readiness of Omani factories to compete on regional and global levels”, he said.
He added that the initiative will enable Omani factories to adopt smart technologies and align with international standards, paving the way for a more sustainable and knowledge-based industrial economy. — ONA