NEWS
Agreement
signed to
launch
Oman’s first
cybersecurity
accelerator
Oman’s largest port joins
IBM’s Blockchain shipping
platform TradeLens
T
he Ministry of Technology and
Communications in Oman has signed
an agreement to launch the country’s first
specialised cybersecurity accelerator. This
has been achieved in co-operation with the
Oman-Britain Digital Centre and Takween,
the annual investment programme affiliated
to Oman Technology Fund.
The project is a significant milestone for the
whole Middle East and it aims to support
companies operating in the cybersecurity
sector. The programme, which has been
dubbed as the ‘Sas Accelerator’, has been
designed especially for individuals and
groups to serve as a business think-tank.
This will provide for the development of
business ideas in the field of cybersecurity
and the encouragement of digitalised
entrepreneurship. It will provide scope
for improving efficient work models and
building vital leadership skills with the
aim of enabling participants to take steps
necessary that will lead to the growth of
their companies.
The agreement was signed by Hassan
bin Fida al-Lawati, Director General of
the Digital Community Development
Sector at the Ministry of Technology and
Communications, and the adviser of the
British Embassy in Muscat.
The ministry, together with Oman Broadband
and Ooredoo, has recently launched the
high-speed Oman Government Network
(OGN). This network is an integrated and safe
government network that meets the future
demands of e.oman projects.
T he Port of Salalah in Oman has joined
TradeLens, the Blockchain-based
supply chain platform launched in 2018
by shipping giant Maersk and IBM. trading partners to collaborate. The
platform provides a real-time, shared view
of shipping transactions and data across
a permissioned Blockchain network.
The addition of the Port of Salalah puts
TradeLens at more than 90 ports and
terminals, with over 150 participants in
total on the platform. This creates transparency and efficient
collaboration for all entities involved,
including shippers, shipping lines, freight
forwarders, port and terminal operators,
inland transportation and customs
authorities.
The Port of Salalah is Oman’s largest
port, handling a record number of four
million shipping containers per year. The
port joins TradeLens as part of its digital
initiative to enhance customer experience
while ensuring a global, transparent
standard for collaboration with other
entities in the supply chain ecosystem.
TradeLens, which is powered by IBM’s
Blockchain technology, enables multiple
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INTELLIGENTCIO
Mark Hardiman, the Chief Executive
Officer of Port of Salalah, said: “Adopting
and incorporating Blockchain technology
into all aspects of the supply chain will
not only enhance the attractiveness of
Salalah for these companies but also
support the development of new business
models that can further leverage the
geographical location of Salalah.”
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