The National Authority for Government Innovation was created through Act 65 of October 30th 2009. As an organization designed to promote the optimal use of information technology and communication in the government sector for the modernization of public administration, they recommend the adoption of policies, national plans and strategic actions relating to this matter – forming an area of innovastion. What the Authority hope to achieve within the Public Administration is an attitude change on the part of public servants to the technological innovations that lead to the acceptance of the challenges posed by globalization and the competitiveness of countries in search of better services to all citizens: (ie.) efficiency and effectiveness. As public institutions, it is important to have personnel trained in ethics, being a powerful tool that helps to shape the consciousness of men and flourish their judgment.

The explanation given by Mr. Eduardo Jaen about how important their institution is for the competitive development of the country was clear and concise: The National Authority for Government Innovation is the entity responsible for the modernization of the state through the use of ICTs. This body is developing important projects throughout the country, such as the Internet Network for All (RNI, in Spanish), the operation of 3-1-1 and Citizen Center, the computer system that supports the implementation of accusatory penal system (SPA, in Spanish), the electronic transactions between citizens and the state, a Paperless Panama (PSP, in Spanish), the deployment of computers in classrooms, medical appointments systems and electronic records, one-stop shops for investors care and exporters, new systems for passports, security, customs procedures and public finance, etc. All these are examples of over 142 projects being conducted by the National Authority for Government Innovation in order to provide quality services with diligence and transparency to the public. The budget used for government innovation in the country for 2013 could exceed $320 million.

Engineer Eduardo Jaen explained in detail some of the major projects that the National Authority for Government Innovation are devolping in Panama. One of these projects is called Internet Network for All (RNI, in Spanish), which has made Panama the first country in the world to offer free WiFi Internet access, from border to border, covering approximately 84% of the national population. The investment for this project is $ 32 million for five years, which includes installation service and maintenance of the network, which has access to 1,005 sites distributed in 33 cities across the country. Since the implementation in April 2012, more than 290,000 registered users. This figure increases rapidly as more than 8,600 users join the network per day.

One of the flagship projects that the Authority is carrying out is called Panama without Paper (PSP, in Spanish) which is considered one of the crucial projects of the AIG and certainly one of the most significant national government tasks. This project seeks to renew the way citizens filed with the state, so that all the procedures are made on a flexible and transparent way, optimizing the performance of government functions to improve service delivery to citizens, allowing for greater transparency and quality services to all Panamanians, provide documentation exempting them from information residing on digital databases of the State, bringing more comfort and a significant reduction in administrative expenses. To date there are 2,300 different procedures that can be performed through the portal www.panamatramita.com .

Another interesting project is called Project 311 Citizen Service through which citizens have on hand all state institutions in a single point of contact, 24 hours, 7 days a week , 365 days a year. The aim is to promote open government, focused on citizenship, to provide quality care. The 311 can perform data queries and requirements to conduct business with the State. To date there are 60 institutions already built into the 311.

Mr. Eduardo Jaen also explained some projects that are being implemented for the development of Panamanian municipalities throughout the country, as the draft Local Government Modernization, which allows changes in municipal management strategies incorporating government developing electronic systems to the use for a new technological culture. This new technology in the municipalities will become a true transformation that will include a portal of portals, based on a ERP municipal citizen service system, that assembles information and religious attractions, an inventory system of citizens, properties and lots, geo-positional location of the farms, schools, public buildings, places info, development of local maps, links to hotels, craft centers, etc..

There are many other important projects which are being carried out from the Authority. To highlight some, we can mention the delivery of 150,000 Balboa computers through the Ministry of Education, the accusatory penal system (SPA), which seeks to implement the installation of courtroom video recording systems, the Institute for Technology and Innovation (ITI), Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT Panama), Cloud computing, SOLCA Panama (free Software/Open Source/free) and Multi-National Network and the National Network for Universal access.

We can say that the US-Television’s visit to the National Authority for Government Innovation and the meeting with its director, Engineer Eduardo Jaen, allowed us to see first hand the efforts that Panama is doing to become a modern state, integrating information technology at all levels of government, and educational institutions.

Tocumen International Airport is Panama’s main international gateway for travelers and is beginning to compete with the Canal as a shipping hub as well. The world-class airport, owned by the government but run as a private enterprise, has boosted its passenger numbers from 1.5 million in 2005 to over 7 million last year and is targeting continued growth of 20% per year.

General Manager Juan Carlos Pino explains, “Tocumen is the most advanced airport in Central America by far and is now competing with airports in South America as well. As the link between North and South America, Panama is a major international hub and now Tocumen International offers connections to more than 69 cities, more than any other airport in the Americas.” The airport achieves around US$ 400 million in annual turnover.

The New Terminal

With 34 boarding gates, the airport will soon have a new runway and a new state-of-the-art 85,000 sq m terminal. The US$679 million expansion is headed by Brazil-based Odebrecht, which has been responsible for major airport upgrades all over the world, including at Miami International. Mr. Pino says, “The main goal of our massive on-going development project for Tocumen International is to focus on expanded traffic, compliance, safety, and – most important of all – overall security. We want to showcase Panama’s infrastructure developments and we aim to be an ambassador for the country.”

Tocumen International also plans to expand its cargo terminal to position Panama as an air-transport hub for Latin America. Other goals are to develop even more facilities and services around the airport, from hotels and restaurants to malls and casinos. Mr. Pino explains, “We will continue to modernize and expand the airport in keeping up with Panama’s growing role as an important destination for tourism, business, international trade and inter-modal communications.”

www.tocumenpanama.aero

The landmark Hotel Roma Plaza has been offering world-class facilities and services for 43 years. Ideally located in the heart of Panama City just two blocks from the Bay of Panama and steps from a wide choice of business, cultural, entertainment and shopping venues, the hotel enjoys a loyal following. Ranked a four-star property, the Roma Plaza is known for its winning combination of safety, cleanliness, attractive prices, comforts and convenient location.

Alfonso Méndez González, General Manager, explains, “This hotel is one of the most visited by tourists in Panama City, mainly because of its location, as it is in a place where guests can reach all the city’s main tourist attractions without the need to use any transport.” The Hotel Roma Plaza contains 133 guestrooms and suites, each equipped with air-conditioning, cable TV, a telephone, an executive desk, a minibar and other services.

Guests can relax on the hotel’s terrace with its magnificent city views, or take a dip in the rooftop pool. The hotel’s Italian Garden restaurant serves fine local, Italian and international cuisine as well as a breakfast buffet, while the Rainforest Café is a popular choice for light meals and snacks.

Wide choice of meeting rooms

The hotel also contains a wide choice of adaptable, well equipped meeting rooms that can accommodate from six up to 200 guests. The hotel’s events team can help organize any type of event.

In addition to its location, amenities and authentic Panamanian style, the Hotel Roma Plaza stands out for its service. Mr. Gonzalez says, “I am proud of our staff members, who offer the highest quality service to our guests.” The Hotel Roma Plaza is currently renovating many of its guestrooms and facilities. It will continue to uphold its 43-year tradition of excellence in hotel services.

www.hotelromaplaza.net

Situated as it is at a crossroads linking Asia, Africa and Europe, the Sultanate of Oman has been a center of trade, commerce and cultural exchange since antiquity. Surrounded by the waters of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, in times past, Oman served as one of the key gateways to the Arabian Peninsula.

Located on the western flank of the entrance to the narrow Straits of Hormuz, the entrance to the Persian Gulf and the world’s most important thoroughfare when it comes to the transport of oil and natural gas, modern-day Oman is no less a country of geopolitical and economic significance. Covering some 309,500 square kilometers of mountain, desert and coastline at the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, to the north and west Oman borders fellow Gulf Cooperation Council member states the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To the southwest lies the Republic of Yemen.

Oman today has a fast-growing population of more than 3 million; more than 70% of whom live in urban areas.

Friendly relations between Oman and the U.S. stretch back a long ways. It was during George Washington’s presidency, in 1790, that the first American ship, the Rambler, arrived at the Omani capital of Muscat.

In 1834, that Oman and the U.S. signed their first treaty, establishing friendly diplomatic and trade relations that carry on to this day. It was during this period that Oman maintained a naval fleet considered one of the most powerful in history.

Fast forward to the 20th century and the reign of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Said, who has governed Oman since 1970 as both head of government and Chief of State.
Oman’s last Consultative Assembly election was held on October 15, 2011. Some 520,000 Omanis were reported to have registered for the election, an increase of 388,000 from the previous election in 2007. Some 1,300 candidates stood for election, 77 of whom were women, the greatest number to date.

Crafting and implementing a series of five-year national strategic development plans over the past four decades, Oman’s economy has expanded every year but four – 1978, 1987, 1990, and 1999. Regaining momentum since being thrown off course by the banking crisis and global recession of 2009, Oman’s GDP rose 4% in 2010 and 5.5% in 2011.
Real GDP gained steam in 2012, increasing an additional 8.3% in 2012, according to Finance Minister Darwish al-Balushi.

Development and growth have posed challenges, however. Sultan Qaboos in spring 2011 announced plans to grant the bicameral legislature greater powers, establishing an ad-hoc committee to amend the country’s basic law to reflect this.

Offering a more broad-based assessment of socioeconomic conditions and the quality of life, Oman scored 0.705 according to the UN Development Program’s Human Development Indicators 2011 report, 90th of a total 187 countries for which a wide range of comparable data are compiled, higher than the 0.641 average HDI score for the Arab States region.

As summarized in the BTI 2012 Oman report, “Oman’s eighth five-year plan (2011 – 2015), presented in November 2010, concentrates on economic diversification, the creation of jobs for Omanis, the encouragement of foreign investment and an expansion of the private sector’s role as the key components of the move toward a post-oil economy.

State-run and sponsored oil and gas companies and investments are the major players in the Omani economy and have driven the course of the country’s socioeconomic development.

Continuing efforts to support and encourage international investment in the oil and gas sector, Oman’s Ministry of Oil and Gas in 2009 signed production-sharing agreements with four international oil companies. As of year-end 2009, 22 companies were involved in oil and gas exploration and production across 32 concession areas, employing and training Omanis, making use of local resources, and contributing to local communities and the country’s social and economic development.

The oil and gas sector in Oman is open to all international companies. We currently have more than 18 companies from all over the world. Normally we have a tendering process. Whenever there is a new block open in the oil and gas sector, we tender it and then the companies compete. Everyone submits its proposal, and based on the terms that they submit, the best proposal, we allocate that block. So there are really no preconditions, no restrictions, and no limitations.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Occidental Petroleum has the largest presence of any foreign firm and is the second largest oil-producer in Oman. Other major players include Shell, Total, Partex, BP, CNPC, KoGas, and Repsol.

Crude oil production in Oman is increasingly reliant on Enhanced Oil Recovery techniques and technology, a field in which Oman is considered a regional pioneer.

Having launched a nationwide EOR program in 2002, completion of the Harweel Enhanced Oil Recovery project is expected to add around 30,000 bpd to Oman’s crude oil production in 2012.

Oman is a small producer in the international market. We produce about 930,000 barrels a day of crude, and we produce about 100 million cubic meter of gas daily. There is an increasing demand for oil and gas, and especially for gas, because we became now the preferred source of energy, because it is clean energy. And we find that increase demand locally because we are also having a limited reserve, so far we have not been able to allocate all the gas demand that has been asked for.

Our priority is to fulfill the commitment, which has been signed in the past. We are working hard of course, in the exploration front, and that is why we attract international investors and international companies, with new technologies, new knowhow, because also with time technology improves. And the reserve, which used to be very difficult to extract and produce will become accessible, and you can produce it economically and feasibly. That’s what we have seen so far. We are developing many fields, in the oil and gas, especially gas, maybe the demand is higher, especially locally for gas, and we have made so many successes in this area.

US companies are already working in Oman now, and playing an important role in the current time. The sector, as I said, it is open, and we welcome the American companies to come, and invest, and introduce themselves to the oil and gas sector in Oman. There are a lot of opportunities. We spend on an annually basis about ten billion dollars in the upstream only. There is a scope for any new technologies, and we welcome it because at the end of the day we look to improve efficiency and productivity of the sector. I think there are a lot of new technologies which apply in the States that can be transferred and applied in Oman as well.

Developing private sector industry and commerce is an important feature of Oman’s long-term development strategy, ranking second only to oil and gas as the most important segment of the national economy. By 2020, Oman’s industrial sector is expected to contribute 15% to national gross domestic product, up from 3.5% in 1992.

Import substitution was the main aim of the Omani government’s industrial development strategy during the 1970s and 1980s. That shifted in the 1990s toward encouraging development of exports for the GCC market.

Developing a healthy, capable private sector and creating an environment conducive to foreign investment are seen as key facets of realizing this goal.
Foreign direct investment in Oman’s industrial sector rose to exceed RO 5 billion (~USD 13 billion) as of year-end 2009, an increase of 128.7% from 2006.

Oman has grown in the past 40 years under the leadership of His Majesty the Sultan of Oman, and it is still continuing to develop, they are basically building roads, developing highways, buildings, and bringing new industries into the country, and creating an atmosphere for foreign investment. It is a beautiful place. The sea, the mountains, the desert makes a beautiful setup for living, for bringing the children up in this area. So it is quite a bit an opportunity for people to come.

Construction of industrial estates has been a core aspect of implementing Oman’s industrial development strategy. Completed in the mid-1980s, the first, Ar Rusayl 15 kilometers from As Sib International Airport, is home to some 60 enterprises, a wide variety of manufacturing companies that produce everything from soap and crackers to cement and copper cathodes.

On a smaller scale, the Omani government is also studying the feasibility of establishing cottage industries that would produce traditional items such as pottery, rose water, and frankincense.

The security, stability, education for the children, they are all available, and that is what most people think of when they go to another place to live.

The Omani government, in line with its intention to further develop and diversify the country’s economic base, in December 1999 launched an initiative to restructure and privatize its electricity and water sectors. Guided by policies and regulated by the Authority for Electricity Regulation, young, independent power and water companies spun off from the Ministry of Housing, Electricity and Water are now focused on developing new markets for electricity and water, as well as looking to change the composition of the power sector’s generation mix.

The law was for the regulation and privatization. So it did map out the future privatization of the sector. But, as of now, the only segment within the overall electricity sector, which has been privatized, is the generation sector.

So the benefits that we see within the generation sector, specifically with inclusion of international participants is exceptional. The interest, the quality of operation once the plans get commissioned, the competitiveness that we get and analyze, the transfer of technical knowhow to the local participants, is working exceptionally well. And we hope that these benefits that the government sees from the privatization of the generation sector is then going to flow into the privatization of the rest of the electricity sector. So privatization and its benefits are now only zoned in to generation sector, but the law did enable and facilitate the privatization to then occur in other segments of the electricity market.

Power demand peaks in summer, having reached 2,614 MW in 2006 and 2,773 MW in 2007. The residential sector typically consumes more than half of Oman’s total annual energy production. Energy consumption in the industrial sector is the fastest growing, however, registering an annual growth rate of 14.4 % in comparison to non-industrial sectors, which have grown at a 6.3% rate in recent years.

So the power and water and procurement company, which is the licensee, has the statutory responsibility to ensure that there is enough capacity to meet demand. And how do they go about it? They go about it by issuing a seven-year statement. And what the seven-year statement does, they have an obligation as per the license to submit it to us as the authority for its approval, it list their forecasts, based on security of supply analysis, and probabilistic planning mechanism…where they ensure that there is, what will be the forecast for the next seven years. There is rapid growth in Oman, I mean, this year and for the coming years, we have seen double digit growth. Means that there will be a continuous need for capacity. So that responsibility has been given to the power and water procurement company. Which is one of the entities that we regulate. So through the law, through the license, we have an obligation to ensure that there is enough capacity to meet the rapidly increasing growth.

Wholly reliant on fossil fuel resources – primarily natural gas – to generate electrical power, Oman is increasingly looking toward development of renewable energy in order meet current and future challenges.

So 100% of our energy generated at this point in time, is from gas. But in the rural areas it’s been generated by diesel generation. So we have a completely undiversified portfolio and the risks of that are well known, so we need to have a diversified fuel mix. And renewal energy is becoming factoring more and more prominently in our planning. And the authority recently has approved a policy where by renewable energy must be taken into consideration by the rural areas electricity company, and any new project that it undertakes in the rural areas. We did publish a study in 2008 which said that there are fast resources for both solar and wind in Oman. What we are doing now, within our jurisdiction, as the authority for electricity regulation is ensuring that, within small scale projects, they need to integrate renewable. But within the large scale there needs to be an overall energy policy, and renewable energy must be within that policy.

Developing its renewable energy resource potential figures to play an increasingly important role in Oman’s strategic development. Oman enjoys sunny weather throughout the year, as well as seasonal monsoon winds; conditions that Oman’s government recognizes can be used to generate clean, renewable electrical power that can be used across society, including in isolated rural areas and to desalinate seawater.

We have been using renewables now on a trial basis to supply some of our energy needs. Like we have now started a pilot to produce steam from solar, which is maybe unique in this area. It has been successful so far. We are trying to widen the application of this project, to other areas in our operation. So we look at it positively and we encourage it also. Even though it is not under the domain of our Ministry. But in our operation we are trying to encourage companies to use renewables for their own operation.

There can be companies from the US, contacting the rural areas electricity company. And providing them with solutions for these small areas, where they can actually submit bets for these small scale projects. Which probably would interest the rural areas company and they can take that into consideration and work to implement these small projects. There’s a huge amount of investment that we have approved, but we do realize that it has to meet the technical capabilities of these companies. Companies such as the ones we have currently in our sector, they can use the international experience where companies with the technical knowhow from the US in supplying the distribution can actually tie up as a technology sharing type of arrangement with these companies where they can tie up and ensure that these companies have the assistance as and when needed for a rapidly growing network.

A civilization exceeds 3.000 years. Under and above ground yet to be explored. Sohar is the city of Sinbad and Ahmed bin Majid, explorers and businessmen. Sohar has the ingredients of nature: sea, bays, valleys and mountains. It is 200 km from Muscat and Dubai. Suntan, fishing, mountains and palm trees climbing, golfing, bowling, Nordic walking and more are awaiting for you. So does electricity at your disposal around the clock. Should you wish to have a traditional Omani wedding ceremony, for new or re-new? Hotels will provide.
Oman’s world-class electricity provider, Majan Electricity, supplies electrical power to government facilities, private residences, and businesses. Majan Electricity is well known for its international standards, security and reliability, highly trained employees, attractive costs, support for renewable energy, demand side management, environment and strong commitment to corporate social responsibility programs. In May 2013, Majan Electricity opened its state-of-the-art green building headquarters in Sohar, one of the fastest-growing industrial hubs and tourism destinations in the Middle East. With its cutting-edge port and high quality of life, free zone, Sohar is a key driver of the Omani economy. As more and more local and international investors and companies set up operations in Sohar.
Sohar is set up for your investment and visit. Welcome to Sohar.

Since His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said first came to power in 1970 his mission has been well defined: to set Oman and its people on the way to progress and prosperity. For the past 4 decades Oman has emerged as a viable, vital 21st century state. With foresight and dedication, the Sultanate has become an important player within the Gulf region and the wider world beyond.
Today, Oman is criss-crossed by multi-lane highways, which ensure that the country is fully accessible- both physically and technologically – to the rest of the world.
While decades ago, Oman was totally dependent on the revenues from its oil and the expertise of foreign labor, today it has achieved enviable success in its aims towards diversification and Omanisation.
The firm principles on which such developments were made, under the wise leadership of Sultan Qaboos, are destined to continue into the future and with them Oman’s stature in the international community as a positive force for peace and progress at home and abroad.

FROM THE ANCIENT FRANKENSENCE AND HORSE TRADERS TO THE MODERN ECONOMIC ZONES, PORTS AND AIRPORTS, FROM GREEN WADIES TO THE ENDLESS DESERT DUNES, WE GIVE YOU OMAN.

www.majanco.co.om

www.abrajoman.com

www.cced.com.om

www.reefiah.com

www.daleelpetroleum.com

www.salalahmacaroni.com