The Ministry of Energy and Minerals (MEM) launched yesterday the digital investment platform ‘Taqa’ on the sidelines of the global technology exhibition COMEX. This initiative aligns with the Ministry's vision to leverage the latest digital technologies and implement digital transformation policies by converting the ministry's services from paper-based to quick and easy digital services. Additionally, it aims to reduce the challenges faced by prospective investors in the energy sector.

Badriya al Hadhrami, Director of the Planning and Economic Studies Department at the MEM, highlighted the importance of this step in achieving the ministry's strategic programs by linking them with the 10th Five-Year Plan.

"Thanks to the services of the 'Taqa' platform, both local and foreign investors will be able to explore investment opportunities in the energy and minerals sector. The 'Taqa' digital services platform will serve as a unified digital platform for the ministry's services, aiming to enhance customer service and improve user experience."

Al Hadhrami explained that the ‘Taqa’ platform project targets the oil, gas, renewable energy, and mineral services sectors, and it will launch four main packages. The first package focuses on archiving and bidding, the second on license management and revenue collection, the third on contract management, and the fourth on inspections and site visits. She also mentioned that the subsequent phase will involve integrating all digital services offered in the oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors into the ‘Taqa’ platform, making it a comprehensive platform for all energy and mineral services.

Raya al Abri, Acting Director of the Petroleum Concessions Department, stated that the ministry aims to present various investment opportunities in the mining sector through the "Taqa" platform. The ministry will offer these opportunities, which have received approval from the relevant authorities and undergone thorough studies, within two main frameworks. The first framework involves opportunities presented without impacting residential areas and natural water resources, focusing on projects such as crushers, marble, and gypsum quarries, available to Omani companies experienced in this field. The second framework involves large concession areas for metallic minerals, from exploration to development, available to international companies with technical expertise and financial capability in this field.