ITA to launch Sas programme for ICT incubators

Stemming from its role in developing an information technology sector in the Sultanate, and the desire to establish a national programme for business ICT incubators in the Sultanate, the Information Technology Authority  (ITA) will officially launch the Sas Programme & Centre at its premises located in the KOM building, at the Knowledge Oasis Muscat today. The Sas Programme is an ICT business development initiative designed to help promote SMEs to build a robust ICT sector in the Sultanate of Oman. The launch ceremony will be held under the patronage of Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce & Industry, and Chairman of the Information Technology Authority (ITA), in the presence of Dr. Salim Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, ITA's chief executive officer, along with current incubatees of the Sas Centre. 'Asas' is an Arabic concept that refers to any solid foundation. Hence, the 'Sas Programme' has been designed specially to provide the foundation for creating a new and vibrant ICT industry, thereby fostering an entrepreneurial spirit in the ICT sector in the Sultanate of Oman. Targeting small and medium ICT businesses, students, and jobseekers of any age interested in starting their business, the Sas Programme seeks to develop an internationally competitive ICT industry in Oman, attract more foreign and local investment in the ICT sector, encourage and support innovation by contributing to the introduction of new technologies so as to create more innovative products, solutions and services and encourage young graduates to create their own businesses through the  development and implementation of  entrepreneurship culture-building activities. Agreement for the Sas Programme was signed in the summer of 2011, with the United Kingdom Business Incubation, and already the centre has 12 projects; nine of which are being fully incubated and three projects in the pre-incubation phase. The fields of IT specialisation for the projects vary but include geographic information systems and software development, graphic design and multimedia programs and, website design. time of oman