OPAZ to go paperless by mid-year

BUSINESS REPORTER

MUSCAT, MARCH 12

The Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (OPAZ) has set June 30, 2023 as the last day for receiving and sending paper transactions. This endeavor comes as part to complete its plan towards digital transformation. It further reflects OPAZ tireless environment-friendly efforts and initiatives, including its paperless campaign

The move will help to accelerate the pace of digital transformation and contribute to automating the services and transactions provided by OPAZ and its affiliated zones to investors.

Reflecting on its digital transformation plan, OPAZ had stopped printing and receiving all paper transactions and documents at the one-stop station in the Special Economic Zone at Duqm last year, replaced employee's paper business card with the Near Field Communication (NFC) feature in the employee’s ID card and introduced electronic alternatives to transfer and share files, documents and transactions between employees instead of using printed copies.

OPAZ implemented the use of internal online portal for employees, File Cloud platform for data storage, issuing the Cadastral Drawing (Krooki) electronically for investors, as well as activating the document management system and electronic documents (Wusool).

In this regard, Adil bin Saif al Raqadi, IT Manager, stated that by end of June 2023, OPAZ will stop receiving paper transactions, accept for some transactions with private entities and others of classified mails to and from government bodies.

“The paperless campaign translates OPAZ efforts and its interest to achieve one of the key objectives of Oman Vision 2040 towards digitalising the transactions and services provided to investors and beneficiaries, as well as adopting this transformation in our day-to-day activities, especially at workplace. This has been mirrored in using electronic alternatives and digital platforms instead of printing on paper.”