COMEX 2025 Recap: Key Tech Announcements Shaping Oman's Digital Future

COMEX 2025 wrapped up on September 10th at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, marking another milestone in the Sultanate's digital transformation journey. With over 45,000 visitors and 200+ exhibitors from 23 countries, this year's edition delivered game-changing announcements that will reshape Oman's tech landscape for years to come.

🚀 The Big Announcements That Stole the Show

1. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Goes Live in Muscat

In perhaps the most significant announcement, Oracle revealed its new Muscat Cloud Region will go live in Q1 2026, becoming the first hyperscaler to offer full data sovereignty in Oman. The $500 million investment will create 300 direct tech jobs and support over 2,000 indirect positions.

What this means: Omani enterprises can now run mission-critical workloads with guaranteed data residency, opening doors for banking, healthcare, and government digital transformation at unprecedented scale.

2. Saudi-Oman AI Collaboration Framework

MCIT Oman and Saudi Arabia's SDAIA signed a bilateral AI cooperation agreement, creating a $200 million joint innovation fund focused on Arabic NLP, computer vision for oil & gas, and smart city technologies. The partnership includes talent exchange programs and shared research facilities in Muscat and Riyadh.

"This isn't just cooperation – it's co-creation. Together, we're building AI that understands our culture, our language, and our aspirations." — Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, President of SDAIA

3. Omantel's 5G-Advanced Network Launch

Omantel demonstrated live 5G-Advanced capabilities, achieving speeds of 10 Gbps – making it the fastest commercial network in the GCC. The rollout begins in Muscat's business districts in October 2025, with nationwide coverage by mid-2026.

Real-world impact: Ultra-low latency networks will enable real-time remote surgery, autonomous vehicle testing, and industrial IoT at scale.

💡 Game-Changing Product Launches

Microsoft Copilot for Oman Government

Microsoft unveiled a customized version of Copilot trained on Omani regulations and government processes. The AI assistant will be deployed across 15 ministries by year-end, potentially saving 2 million work hours annually through automated report generation and citizen query handling.

Huawei's Smart City Platform 3.0

Huawei launched its latest smart city platform specifically configured for Muscat's urban planning needs, integrating traffic management, utility monitoring, and emergency response into a unified command center. The system goes live in Q4 2025 with real-time monitoring of 1,000+ intersections.

TCS's Arabic-First Banking Suite

Tata Consultancy Services introduced BaNCS for Oman – a fully Arabized core banking platform designed for Islamic finance compliance. Bank Muscat and Sohar International have already signed as launch customers, with implementation starting October 2025.

🌟 Startup Arena: The Next Unicorns?

The COMEX Startup Arena showcased 35 innovative companies, with three clear winners emerging:

🎙️ What Industry Leaders Said

"We're moving from digital adoption to digital innovation. COMEX 2025 proved that Oman isn't just consuming technology – we're creating it."

"The quality of local talent we met at COMEX convinced us to double our Oman investment. This is where the future of Gulf tech is being built."

📅 Major Deals & Partnerships Signed

🔮 Looking Ahead: What's Next?

COMEX 2025's success signals a clear message: Oman is open for tech business. With announcements spanning cloud infrastructure, AI collaboration, and startup funding, the Sultanate has positioned itself as the GCC's most promising tech frontier.

🎯 Who Should Attend Next?

If you missed COMEX 2025, here's who absolutely needs to be there in 2026:

• AI/ML startups looking for government contracts and pilot programs
• Cloud service providers targeting data sovereignty requirements
• Cybersecurity firms addressing growing digital infrastructure needs
• EdTech companies supporting Oman's digital skills initiatives
• FinTech innovators exploring Islamic finance opportunities

📍 Your Next Tech Events in Oman

Can't wait until COMEX 2026? Here are the upcoming tech events to keep on your radar:

The Bottom Line

COMEX 2025 wasn't just another tech conference – it was a watershed moment for Oman's digital economy. With major infrastructure announcements, billion-dollar deals, and a clear government commitment to digital transformation, the message is crystal clear: Oman is no longer the Gulf's best-kept secret in tech – it's the region's most exciting opportunity.

Whether you're a multinational looking for your next expansion market, a startup seeking government contracts, or an investor hunting for the next big thing, COMEX 2025 proved one thing definitively: the future of Gulf tech has a new address, and it's in Muscat.