A space to turn research to viable projects

MUSCAT: The Innovation Park Muscat (IPM) at the Research and Innovation Authority (RIA), represents an integrated system aimed at transforming scientific knowledge and research into value-added economic projects. This supports economic diversification and achieves the goals of Oman Vision 2040. The IPM seeks to enhance the Sultanate of Oman’s position as a regional hub for advanced technologies and the knowledge economy by providing an attractive investment environment and incentives that enable entrepreneurs and international companies to advance knowledge-based industries.
Najah bint Mohammed al Rashdi, Acting Director-General of the IPM, said that the IPM is the first multidisciplinary science park in the Sultanate of Oman and one of the strategic national projects implemented by the Research and Innovation Authority. The IPM seeks to build an integrated system for scientific research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, transforming the outputs of scientific research and innovation into value-added economic projects. This contributes to bridging the gap between scientific research and market needs, supporting economic diversification, and enhancing knowledge economy in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.
The IPM has allocated land for research and development centres on a usufruct system with the aim of o attracting national and international institutions and companies working in priority scientific and technological fields. The IPM has successfully attracted a number of entities specialising in AI, cybersecurity, energy and advanced technologies, she said.

The IPM plays a pivotal role in building a knowledge-based economy by enhancing the market readiness in terms of innovation, expanding their economic impact, providing an attractive environment for investment in technology and innovation, supporting entrepreneurs and startups, and enhancing partnerships between the public and private sectors and academic institutions. The IPM’s competitive advantage lies in providing an integrated system that accompanies innovators through the various stages of the innovation process from developing and refining the idea, through conducting research and development, designing and testing prototypes up to establishing and emerging company. Thus, the IMP forms a link between scientific research, innovation and the industrial sector. It also creates quality job opportunities for national talent, transfers modern technologies as well as enhances the contribution of innovation-based industries to the GDP, she said.
Najah bint Mohammed al Rashdi, Acting Director-General of the IPM, noted that the work of the IPM aligns directly with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040, particularly in the economic and development pillar, by supporting scientific research and innovation, promoting economic diversification, empowering the private sector, attracting quality investments, and developing knowledge-based industries and advanced technologies. The IPM also contributes to building a knowledge-based and innovation-driven society and enhancing the Sultanate of Oman’s regional and international standing in research, development, and technology.
Najah bint Mohammed al Rashdi, Acting Director-General of the IPM at the Research and Innovation Authority (RIA), said that the priorities for the next phase include attracting more international and technology companies, expanding the establishment of specialised research centres and enhancing business incubation and acceleration programmes, developing the infrastructure that supports innovation, launching quality initiatives and partnerships to raise the efficiency of the research, development and innovation system. The IPM also seeks to consolidate its position as a regional centre for innovation and future technologies, thereby enhancing the Sultanate of Oman’s position as an attractive destination for investment in knowledge, scientific research and technology.