by Times of Oman

MUSCAT — Nawras bagged the coveted ‘The best of the best’ website of Oman 2006 at the Oman Web Awards function held at the Crowne Plaza yesterday. In the media category Oman’s leading English daily the Times of Oman clinched the golden award.

The most prestigious awards of the Oman web industry were given away at a glittering Oman Web Awards 2006 ceremony amid bonhomie. Oman Web Awards has been instituted under the auspices of Information Technology Authority. The ITA is an autonomous legal body affiliated to the Ministry of National Economy. The awards was created to recognise excellence in web design and develop skills by providing a platform where web design companies, freelances and web owners can showcase their work and attain market recognition.

Advanced Business solutions LLC presented the Oman Web Awards 2006 which was powered by Gazelle International. The main objectives of the awards are to promote the spirit of innovation and creativity, raise the standards of web design and website services, promote intellectual property awareness and encourage all sectors to become more involved in the digital economy.

Beaming Tairq Hilal Al Barwani, online manager of Nawras, said: “We thank all our customers and website visitors for this award as it was because of them the Nawras won the prestigious award. I am delighted that Nawras got the best of the best award and now our next aim is to take Nawras on top of the world map.”

It may be recalled that Nawras had previously won the best IT website in the region at the Pan Arab Awards 2005. When asked what made Nawras click the award, Tariq said: “It is a user-friendly, creative and dynamic-technology driven site designed with customers in mind.”

Tariq, who has been awarded the most valuable professional by Microsoft in IT history of Oman, will be travelling to meet Bill Gates in March.

The function started with Ali Jaffer Al Bahrani, managing director of Advanced Business Solutions LLC, welcoming the guests while Pierre, vice-president of Pan Arab Awards, gave an introduction of the awards.

Dr Salim Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, CEO of Information Technology Authority, was also present on the occasion.

Tariq Al Hilal Al Barwani compered the programme which was punctuated with magic shows and salsa performance.

Ayesha Kanabar, business development manager of Gazelle International, proposed a vote of thanks. The winners will qualify for the Pan Awards award which will be held in the UAE shortly.