Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: Those with a taste for data on Oman have the chance to get the latest at the Naseem Garden venue of the Muscat Festival.
What is the size of the Sultanate’s population? What percentage of the population are Omanis and which part are the expatriates?
These and many other indicators allow visitors a full insight into the latest developments in their area, which can be found at the booth of the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).
NCSI is a government organisation that collects and publishes statistics and data on social and economic aspects of Oman.
Sara Yusuf Al Khaduri, head of the Muscat Festival Committee at NCSI, told the Times of Oman that they want to educate and inform visitors about the wealth of statistics that is available nowadays and the importance of data.
“Information on statistics is not very well known in the Sultanate and we are here to enhance the knowledge of visitors. People are often only aware of the census we have been carrying out. We would like to change that,” she said.
Al Khaduri explained that the way NCSI presents its information, through their website and two apps, supports the government’s aim to expand its e-services.
“Visitors can both learn about statistics and get acquainted with new ways of communication, like our comprehensive website,” she further said.
Using a touch screen at the NCSI booth, visitors can try the new apps developed by the NCSI: GEO Oman and Tour Oman. Al Khaduri explained that Tour Oman directs visitors to tourist hotspots and services, such as restaurants, banks and hotels in the direct vicinity. With GEO Oman, visitors can look up demographic features of their area, as well as services available, such as fuel stations and banks, but also government services, such as police stations and ambulance services.
Al Khaduri said the response of visitors at the booth was good, and even better than last year.
“We have been receiving more visitors than last year. More people got to know us, thanks to our website and our participation in the Festival last year. Most people ask for population statistics of Oman and statistics in their area or on oil, an important issue these days. They cannot believe what a wealth of information is available,” she noted.
Having knowledge of data is very important, Al Khaduri explained.
For Omani people, it is essential to know about the services that are provided in their area through such data. For the government, it is essential because it provides services, such as water and electricity, based on what it knows about the population in these areas.
“No country can be built without knowledge of statistics. It is essential for our future”, she said.
