Oman Center Wins Top Regional Digital Award

The National Centre for Statistics and Information earned top honors for its Data Portal project at the GCC awards ceremony.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Government

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The National Centre for Statistics and Information in Oman won the Best Open Data Initiative at the GCC Digital Government Award in Bahrain. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The National Centre for Statistics and Information secured the Best Open Data Initiative category at the seventh edition of the GCC Digital Government Award. The recognition was bestowed upon the organization during a ceremony held in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Why it matters

The Best Open Data Initiative category promotes transparency and innovation by streamlining public access to government data. The award highlights efforts to modernize regional infrastructure through enhanced data quality and accessibility.

The award recognizes the Data Portal project for its success in enabling user access to statistical data. Winning criteria included the quality of data provided and the number of services developed using these digital tools.

The players

National Centre for Statistics and Information

This is an Omani government institution responsible for the collection and dissemination of national statistical and information data.

General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa

He is a prominent official who presented the award to the winning organization during the ceremony in Bahrain.

The details

The project serves as a key repository and toolset for users seeking to utilize statistical information. It was evaluated based on the breadth of beneficiaries and the utility of its data-driven services.

Timeline

  1. 2026: The National Centre for Statistics and Information received the award.

Political Context

The win follows a pattern set by the GCC Digital Government Award, which recognizes excellence in regional digital infrastructure. Critics often argue that standardized regional digital benchmarks may not account for the varying legislative and administrative autonomy of individual member states.

Increased government transparency and data accessibility can lead to more efficient public services for citizens and improved decision-making for businesses. Users may find it easier to utilize official statistics for research, planning, and professional projects.

The takeaway

Advancements in digital portals demonstrate a broader commitment to data-driven governance across the region. Organizations looking to leverage these tools should monitor updates to data availability and portal features to maximize the utility of the provided information.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest Government initiatives across the region.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Times of Oman.

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