Muscat: The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has disclosed comprehensive details about COMEX 2025, which is set to take place at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre from September 7 to 10, 2025. The event will host more than 300 local and international companies, providing a unique platform for digital investment.
According to Oman News Agency, the announcement was made during a press conference held in Muscat today, organized in collaboration with the Arabian Research Bureau, a market research and data analytics firm. The ministry presented the agenda, themes, and key highlights of the upcoming edition of COMEX during the event.
Dr. Ali Amir Al Shithani, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology for Communications and IT, stated the ministry's objective to position COMEX as a hub for promoting direct investment opportunities in the communications and IT sector. The exhibition is designed to support tech startups, showcase their products, enhance local content, and foster collaboration between the public and private sectors as well as international partnerships. He emphasized that COMEX serves as a gathering point for stakeholders aiming to advance the digital economy.
He confirmed that COMEX 2025 will see significant participation from both local and international companies, featuring multiple pavilions, sections, and various activities. The ministry will have a dedicated pavilion showcasing its initiatives and projects, most of which are part of the National Digital Economy Programme.
Dr. Al Shithani explained that the ministry will organize a series of sideline events and workshops focusing on digital investment, e-gaming, digital tourism, and creative content production. These events aim to target companies, investors, and startups in the field. Furthermore, the Investment and Local Products Forum for Cybersecurity 2025 will highlight initiatives and achievements in cybersecurity, empowering Omani youth and startups to develop innovative solutions to cyber challenges while leveraging international expertise.
Additionally, the ministry will host the Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing Forum, aimed at raising awareness of AI and quantum computing. The forum seeks to stimulate research and industrial partnerships between academic institutions and companies while highlighting practical applications of quantum AI across various sectors. It will also focus on developing skills in these advanced fields and producing actionable recommendations, with a hackathon organized to develop innovative cybersecurity solutions.
Reflecting on past successes, Dr. Al Shithani noted that COMEX 2024 met its objectives as a marketing and investment hub, facilitating connections between companies and investors. The event witnessed the signing of 60 agreements and MoUs worth over RO 85 million. This marked a 112% increase compared to the 2023 edition. The accompanying events included 60 workshops, 25 startup-focused activities, and participation from 100 experts and specialists in technology and innovation. The exhibition attracted 350 participating entities and over 80,000 visitors.
Dr. Al Shithani also highlighted that Oman's communications and IT sector grew by 10.6% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2024. Local investments in artificial intelligence reached approximately RO 60 million by the end of last year, with ongoing initiatives under the National AI and Advanced Technologies Programme.
An essential feature of COMEX 2025 will be the Digital Investment Corner, designed to provide a specialized environment for investment opportunities in IT and communications. This corner aims to attract local and international investors, positioning Oman as a regional hub for digital investment opportunities.
The exhibition will also include a Startup Pavilion, offering startups an investment-friendly environment through specialized workshops on venture capital, best practices in startup development, and success stories. A visual presentation during the press conference showcased key sections of the exhibition, including the International Delegations Pavilion, Space Technology, Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Smart Cities, Health Technologies, and other advanced technical fields.
