Muscat: Knowledge Oasis Muscat, the technical arm of the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), promises another inspiring experience for the visitors to its stand in COMEX 2012, which kicks off today (Monday) at the Oman International Exhibition Center.
Visitors to the annual flagship ICT exhibition (COMEX 2012) will gain a clearer understanding of the inspirational experience of KOM in the ICT field and the spirit of the Omani government to develop the Sultanate hub of technology, noted Mohamed Al Maskari, General Manager of Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM).
"Besides the creativity of our stand at COMEX 2012, visitors will be able to have an eye-opening and awe-inspiring experience through exploring our new master plan which is built based on the essence of work, play and live in one place. The Knowledge Oasis Muscat is currently looking for shifting KOM into an integrated mini-city where people can work, entertain and live in the same place," Al Maskari said.
It has been an annual important schedule for KOM to participate in COMEX exhibition being the lone exhibition in Oman aspiring to highlight the progress of Oman's ICT sector, he stressed. "With the momentous image being created of the current scene of the booming ICT sector in the region, it is becoming vital to create more awareness, not only to underline the stage where we have reached in terms of expansion and the companies available in KOM, but also to provide excellent opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing and encouragement for the young entrepreneurs in the country," Al Maskari pointed out.
This year, ten of the most successful companies under the umbrella of KOM will present their cutting edge products and services from their respective stands at the event, he informed. The participating companies are Business Gateways International, ITON Software, GEE Oman, L & T Infotech, Inter Design, Seven Seas Infotech, GRAPHIX, InterGraph Middle East, Infoline, and Rafed Communication Tech. "KOM today enjoys a growing modern hi-tech community of over 100 companies with around 35,000 square meters already occupied. It is, indeed, a huge success for KOM to be able to attract more than 100 companies in its community, besides having a significant number of talented Omanis employed in these companies," he said.
KOM General Manager believes that the Knowledge Oasis Muscat is following an effective instrument in fulfilling its responsibilities and in meeting the international standards that set its position as one of the leading technology parks in the GCC region.
COMEX 2012 Conference
When asked about KOM's sponsorship for COMEX 2012 Conference, which will be held on the sidelines of the exhibition, Al Maskari had this to say: "It was important for us to sponsor the conference since one of the main schemes of KOM is to increase awareness on technology and uplift the entrepreneurial scale. We look forward for the recommendations that will emerge from the conference in order to encourage all sectors to put in more efforts to achieve a knowledge-based community in Oman."
The Knowledge Mine
Meanwhile, The Knowledge Mine (TKM), the park's incubator programme, will define its role as a business incubator through encouraging Omani youth to invest in the Information and Communication Technology sector, informed Mr. Mohamed Al Hinai, director of TKM.
"The emerging companies in TKM will have an opportunity to showcase their services and products at COMEX 2012," Al Hinai said, adding: "The companies incubated at The Knowledge Mine will various products and advanced technologies in the areas of facility safety and security, graphic designs, 2-D and 3-D designs, among other services."
A plan of expanding The Knowledge Mine is underway, Al Hinai noted noted. "The idea of expanding TKM to a National Center for Entrepreneurship arose with the aim to give greater opportunities for emerging Omani companies in the ICT and related sectors as a result of the high aspirations of the young entrepreneurs to activate their innovative ideas," he pointed out.
The center will provide integrated facilities, support, networks, resources and training opportunities to help businesses and entrepreneurs turn their innovative ideas into market-leading companies.
The National Center for Entrepreneurship in KOM will comprise meeting rooms and computer lab that can accommodate up to 150 people, training halls with a capacity of up to 200 people, and a scientific library to serve the incubated companies and owners of individual initiatives.
It should be noted that it is the tenth consecutive year for KOM to play a part in COMEX Expo, which will be held during the period from April 30 to May 4. The opening ceremony today (Monday) will be presided over by His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salim Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications.
© Press Release 2012
