Oman’s first IT portal will be launched today
Muscat - Oman’s and perhaps even the
region’s first information technology (IT) portal website www.tariq.net, an
online door to IT, will be officially launched today by it’s sole Omani
creator, 20 years old Tariq bin Hilal Al Barwani.
The timing of the launch could not have been better as it is being launched
during the 27th National day celebrations and it is a move that it is wildly
seen here as one that would put the Sultanate family on the map.
While the site can commended purely for it’s user-friendly format and the
availability of a wide-range of IT information with a mere click of a mouse,
the fact that supercedes all other is that this young Omani self-educated
computer whizkid has single-handedly created this portal. Other portal that
exists, not only has a full-fledged production team, but has an equal number
of people working to promote and fine-tune it.
The main objective of this innovative site, which was created in a month, is
to serve people in Oman with up-to-date information on the latest
technological trends in the PC and IT world, said Tariq, who is widely
respected in the IT circle here, despite his precocious age.
For Tariq, who will soon be joining a new organization after his stint at the
United Media Services, creating this fully dedicated IT portal, which
according to him “will have everything that anyone wants to know about IT and
more” is a real big step.
Whether you’re a novice or an export, you will always find something that is
right for you here,” Tariq claimed, reentering that this was the first portal
in Oman that includes free web based e-mail that could be compared to yahoo
and hotmail; a chat that can be accessed through a web and a dynamic web
discussion group etc.
He also noted that soon this website was going to turn into e- commerce.
“Every Internet suffer will have the ability to shop and buy online through
the website,” he said.
He said that it was only thanks to his Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin said’s
continuous encouragement for the youth of Oman and Omani enterprises I the
field of IT that such a project was made possible.
“I must also admit that I am lucky to have a father that is so supportive and
keen to see the best of my evolution,” he said, adding that he was into
computes right from the time he was nine. “My dad is as operational manager
with HSBC and has always supported and encouraged me. In fact, I want to make
him happy with this,” he said.
Stating that the portal could be the first in AGCC, he said that many of the
websites only had normal portal. “I haven’t seen until now website that offers
free professional e-mail.”
With the generous sponsorship of some of Oman’s top companies, Tariq has
devised a plethora of links, articles entertainment IT facilities, just one PC
click a way.
Bank Muscat, Khimji Ramdas, Gulf Business Machines, Bahwan Cybertek, Genetco,
Commercial Bank of Oman and outdoor Marketing LLC have sponsored the website.
I have no words to express my gratitude towards these companies in supporting
the progress of young Omanis and development of IT in Oman. “Tariq said.
Giving further details of this new innovation, Tariq explained that a portal
was a website that is intended to be an all-encompassing service to the
Internet.
“It not only acts as a search engine, but also provided the Internet users
with a wide variety of other services, such as free e-mails, chat rooms,
personal web pages and PC shopping pages. www.tariq,net provide these
services and much more.
It offers website development and renovation in both Arabic and English at
very affordable prices, together with one stop computing information devised
specifically for Omani and expats users.
Ones you visit the site you can readily obtain news information on current
issues and trends concerning IT and computer related fields.
“Corporate users can advertise their products and services and develop a
global presence on the Net.
What’s more, any PC users to exchange ideas solve IT problems or simply make
friends. www.tariq.net offers free e-mail address, free URL’s, free games and
many other unique features.” Tariq noted that even novice users could leave
this site knowing they have broadened their IT knowledge. Moreover, contents
and other entertainment specials will be featured soon.
This site is sure to put Oman on the international IT map,” he said.
I intend to have people work under me and even form a company wherein I can
compete globally with Yahoo.com etc. I intend to be global than just local. My
vision is to compete globally.
In the near future, I will tie up with western companies and use their
services, by paying a fee and offer it to Oman.
“I am also planning to create a website for Arabic users in the future,” he
said, delving deep into a subject that was close his heart.
Since completing his education here in Oman, Tariq’s expertise has been
responsible for the creation of many leading websites in Oman, such as
omanaccess.com, bankmuscat.com-the English and the Arabic version bpoman.com,
alhashargroup.com, nissanoman.com, aloloum.com, imtac.com, marinaoman.com,
soharbeach.com, hallaniyat.com and dgcam.com.
Tariq, who might easily be the youngest-ever Omani to venture out thus in the
still nascent IT scene in Oman, has already created ripples by creating the
GTO to Omantel programs which had been downloaded by almost all Oman local
Internet users simplified the process of converting GTO to Omantel
configuration.
He also created the Happy 99 Virus cleaned that has not only been downloaded
locally but globally. However, www.tariq.net is his most ambitious project to
date and no doubt will be one of his most successful.
When not working on new website and programs this young Omani entrepreneur
writes IT Arabic and English a newspaper articles for his regular readers for
the past one year and does free IT trouble-shooting to people in Oman either
through Internet, e-mail or direct phone.