Author: Ahmed Al Shuaili

Muscat, 23 April 2025– Oman Data Park (ODP), the Sultanate’s leading provider of managed IT services and cloud solutions, has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with strategic technology partners to accelerate the development and deployment of innovative AI solutions across Oman’s key industries. This transformative collaboration will impact sectors including Telecom, Travel, Tourism, Banking and Financial Services (BFSI), Logistics, and Hospitality, aligned with the nation’s digital transformation agenda and Vision 2040.

At the heart of this partnership is a shared ambition to co-develop scalable, sector-specific AI solutions tailored to Oman’s regulatory and operational environment. The initiative will leverage ODP’s sovereign cloud infrastructure, ensuring data residency, regulatory compliance, and scalable deployment within a secure and robust digital ecosystem. This foundational capability supports the broader goal of localizing emerging technologies to address the unique challenges and opportunities within the Sultanate.

Commenting on the collaboration, Eng. Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO of Oman Data Park, stated, “This agreement represents a pivotal milestone in Oman’s journey toward becoming a digitally empowered, AI-ready nation. By fusing world-class AI capabilities with our sovereign cloud infrastructure, we are enabling localized, secure, and scalable solutions that truly cater to the evolving needs of Oman’s vital industries. More than just a technology initiative, this partnership reflects our commitment to nurturing Omani talent, promoting innovation, and supporting the ambitions of Oman Vision 2040. Together with our partners, we are laying the groundwork for a smarter, more resilient digital future for the Sultanate.”

CP Gurnani, Co-founder and CEO, AIonOS, added: “This partnership with Oman Data Park represents more than just a strategic alliance—it’s a shared mission to bring AI from the drawing board into real-world impact across Oman’s key sectors. At AIonOS, we have always believed that AI is most powerful when it’s human-centred, localized, and aligned with national priorities. By co-developing AI solutions tailored to Oman’s regulatory landscape and leveraging ODP’s sovereign cloud, we are ensuring that innovation respects compliance, security, and cultural context. The road ahead is exciting, and we are committed to walking it side by side with ODP and the people of Oman”.

The agreement also focuses on the development of practical, vertical-specific AI use cases by combining technical innovation with ODP’s end-to-end managed services. This synergy is expected to unlock new opportunities in automation, predictive analytics, and operational efficiency—delivering measurable value to enterprises and public institutions alike. A joint go-to-market strategy will drive the commercial deployment of these solutions, broadening access and accelerating client adoption across Oman.

Aligned with the national vision, the collaboration also emphasizes talent development, knowledge sharing, and the upskilling of local professionals. Through training programs, innovation labs, and collaborative learning platforms, the partners aim to cultivate a thriving ecosystem of Omani AI expertise. Simultaneously, the partnership outlines a roadmap for continuous innovation, keeping pace with advancements in large language models (LLMs), predictive analytics, and intelligent automation—reinforcing Oman’s role as a regional hub for AI-driven transformation.

Such strategic alliance reaffirms Oman Data Park’s commitment to shaping the future of AI in the Sultanate and underscores its position as a key enabler of a knowledge-based economy driven by innovation, technology, and local talent.

Oman Data Park (ODP), a leading provider of managed IT and cybersecurity services in the Sultanate, acted as the exclusive sponsor of Oman’s first-ever edition of the premier cybersecurity event, Flag the Hack 2025, held on 17 February at the Mandarin Oriental, Muscat. Conducted by Fortinet, this landmark event brought together eminent industry leaders and seasoned security professionals to address real-world cybersecurity challenges through innovative competitions, dynamic knowledge-sharing, and collaborative learning.

Flag the Hack has earned a distinguished reputation as a pivotal platform for fostering expert-led discussions, hands-on technical engagement, and the development of advanced competencies necessary to address the shifting cyber threat landscape. By championing such initiatives, ODP reinforces its position as a leader in driving technological innovation and equipping businesses and individuals to navigate the challenges of an increasingly interconnected digital world.

Eng. Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO of Oman Data Park, underscored the significance of the event, stating, “Cybersecurity is no longer a specialized concern; it is a universal imperative for governments, businesses, and individuals. Flag the Hack serves as a vital conduit for promoting a culture of readiness and innovation in addressing emerging cyber threats. By supporting transformative events like these, we aim to cultivate a society that is not only vigilant but also well-prepared to counter sophisticated security challenges. These initiatives bridge the divide between theoretical knowledge and practical application, providing participants with actionable insights and critical skills to tackle real-world scenarios. In a digital age defined by rapid transformation, fostering resilience and maintaining a secure cyber environment are crucial. Moreover, such events align with our mission to fortify the nation’s digital infrastructure and nurture a forward-looking cybersecurity ecosystem.”

The agenda also featured a series of compelling sessions, including Fortinet’s SecOps strategy briefing and an in-depth presentation from FortiGuard Labs on navigating the ever-changing cyber threat landscape. These expert discussions delved into pressing topics such as current threats and vulnerabilities, the tactics of nation-state and non-state actors, emerging technologies, common attack vectors, and defensive strategies. Participants gained actionable insights into incident response best practices and effective approaches to fortify organizational defenses. The event culminated in the ‘Flag the Hack’ challenge, which combined strategic decision-making with hands-on activities, including elements such as ‘purple team exercises.’ These exercises allowed participants to navigate realistic scenarios, honing their investigative and forensic skills while fostering innovative problem-solving approaches. By working in diverse, randomly

assigned teams, attendees gained fresh perspectives and enhanced collaboration, mirroring the multifaceted challenges faced by organizations in today’s cybersecurity landscape.

ODP’s active involvement in the event further emphasized its unwavering commitment to cultivating a culture of cooperation and knowledge-sharing within Oman’s IT and cybersecurity sectors. By facilitating engagement with industry leaders and providing access to advanced tools and methodologies, ODP continues to drive technological innovation. Through initiatives like these, the company reaffirms its dedication to enhancing resilience, forging strategic partnerships, exchanging transformative ideas, and advocating for a secure and progressive digital future for Oman.

Muscat. April 21– In a strategic move that underscores Oman’s commitment to technological advancement and human capital development, Oman Data Park (ODP) has entered into a landmark Teaming Agreement with Elevatus, a globally recognized leader in AI-driven recruitment solutions, and the Omani Society for Human Resources Management (OSHRM). This three-way collaboration brings together unmatched technological capability, human resource expertise, and deep-rooted market insight to offer a groundbreaking HR and recruitment ecosystem designed specifically for Oman’s public and private sector needs. 

This partnership marks a pivotal step in accelerating Oman’s transition toward smart governance and digital transformation in line with Oman Vision 2040. By integrating Elevatus’ AI-powered recruitment and assessment tools with OSHRM’s trusted HR network and Oman Data Park’s secure, locally hosted cloud infrastructure, the alliance offers a comprehensive solution for end-to-end HR digitization. The platform empowers organizations to transform their traditional HR processes by automating and streamlining everything from talent acquisition and onboarding to assessments and performance management. Crucially, all services are delivered through secure Omani data centers, ensuring full compliance with national data regulations and enhancing trust among users. 

Maqbool Al Wahaibi, CEO of Oman Data Park, stated, “At Oman Data Park, we believe in developing digital solutions that directly contribute to national progress. This collaboration is a prime example of that philosophy in action. By merging cutting-edge technology with deep HR expertise and hosting it all within our secure, local cloud environment, we are not just improving business processes—we are shaping the future of how organizations in Oman attract, engage, and retain talent. This is about building smarter institutions that can support the nation’s long-term goals.” 

This initiative represents a strategic effort to enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of HR operations across sectors, while creating a more agile, insight-driven approach to workforce management. It comes at a time when organizations across Oman are actively seeking smarter, faster, and more reliable ways to recruit and retain talent—an imperative as the country positions itself as a hub of innovation and economic competitiveness in the region. 

For OSHRM, the agreement further strengthens its position as a catalyst for progressive HR practices in Oman, while Elevatus brings global intelligence to local enterprises, ensuring that companies in Oman are equipped with the tools to compete on a world stage. 

With this agreement, Oman Data Park reaffirms its role as a national enabler, delivering world-class digital services tailored to the Sultanate’s unique regulatory and cultural environment. Together with Elevatus and OSHRM, the company is laying the foundation for a new chapter in Oman’s workforce evolution—one that is further intelligent, integrated, and aligned with the aspirations of a modern, knowledge-based economy.