Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 36 | Page 15

NEWS Smart Cities to help with energy efficiency T he Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), in partnership with the European Union-Gulf Co-operation Council (EU-GCC) Clean Energy Technology Network, has held a workshop on energy efficiency. The workshop focused on solutions for the industry and building sectors, including smart technologies and Smart Cities. PDO Managing Director Raoul Restucci, said: “We were delighted to be sponsoring, organising and contributing to this important event in Oman. For PDO, energy efficiency is not just a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s central to our business model and sustainability. “We are fully committed to reducing our energy consumption and seeking new practices and technologies to more effectively use power in our operations and for potential redeployment to other value-adding sectors of Oman’s economy and industry. “Energy efficiency is essential not only for Oman’s sustainable development but for that of the wider world and we hope that this workshop will facilitate new ideas, solutions, contacts and exchanges which are of lasting benefit to the GCC, EU and beyond.” The workshop attracted high level experts from the public and private sector from both regions, including policy makers, industry experts and technology providers, as well as researchers and academics. ///////////////// Omani delegation to the USA discusses IT investment opportunities A delegation from Oman has visited the US to strengthen Omani-American relations and increase opportunities for the country’s IT sector. The delegation was represented by officials from a number of government entities including the Information Technology Authority (ITA), the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and the Public Establishment for Industrial Estate and the Duqm Free Zone. workshops concerning key projects such as the Duqm Free Zone. HE Eng Ahmed Al Dheeb emphasised that the Sultanate’s future economic development vision focuses on diversification of the economy from a reliance on oil and gas towards industry, tourism, logistics, agriculture and fisheries, and mining. “Our vision is to rely on emerging and future digital technologies in developing these sectors,” he said. “This in turn creates many opportunities for technology companies to invest and develop services and solutions to serve these economic sectors extending many years into the future.” HE Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, headed the delegation, accompanied by Dr. Salim Sultan Al Ruzaiqi and some ITA board members and officials. The visit aimed to explore investment opportunities in Seattle and San Francisco (Silicon Valley), through a number of www.intelligentcio.com INTELLIGENTCIO 15