Page 74 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Oman’s Freelance Digital Economy Grows with Government Support and Youth

Empowerment

Oman’s freelance digital work sector is rapidly expanding, driven
by shifts in the global labor market and the country’s growing
digital economy initiatives. The government’s efforts to empower
youth and provide steady income opportunities through online
channels are fueling this rise. Azza bint Ibrahim Al-Kindi, Director
of Commercial Affairs and E-Commerce at Oman’s Ministry of
Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion, highlighted
e-commerce as a leading freelance sector. A key initiative is the
“Freelance License Record,” which allows Omanis to legally conduct
online business with low costs and clear regulations. Compared to
physical stores, the lower startup costs and broader market reach
of digital platforms enable Omani freelancers to connect with local
and international customers. Over 200 activities are now eligible
for freelancing licenses, and the “Ma’roof Oman” platform helps
build consumer trust by validating authorized online retailers.
This sector promotes employment in marketing, design, software
development, and more, fostering innovation, technical skills, and
economic diversification. Oman’s National E-Commerce Plan
(2022–2027) includes training programs to help entrepreneurs
access global platforms like Amazon and Noon. Additional efforts
focus on enhancing IT skills through the “Makeen” program and
supporting SME integration into global supply chains. Freelancing
offers young Omanis a low-risk environment to explore business
ideas, encouraging entrepreneurial spirit and preparing them to
launch their own enterprises.

UAE-IX Powered by DE-CIX becomes ‘First in Middle East’ to Offer 400 GE
Access

The UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX has taken a major leap forward in total of more than 6 terabits. Established in 2012 and operated by
internet infrastructure with the introduction of 400 Gigabit Ethernet DE-CIX on behalf of datamena, the UAE-IX now connects nearly 110
(GE) access, becoming the ‘first and only’ Internet Exchange (IX) networks, including internet service providers, global enterprises,
in the Middle East to offer this capacity. The announcement was cloud providers, carriers, and content platforms. In addition to
made by DE-CIX in partnership with datamena, du’s carrier-neutral peering services, the exchange offers a comprehensive suite of
data center and connectivity platform. This significant upgrade enterprise-grade interconnection services such as Cloud Exchange,
strengthens UAE-IX’s position as the largest IX in the region, not cloud routing, and application-layer connectivity including
just in terms of connected networks, but also in peak traffic and Microsoft Azure Peering Service (MAPS). “The UAE-IX stands as
capacity. Over the past year, the exchange has seen connected a global Internet hub, bringing together the network operators,
customer capacity surge by 30%, adding two terabits to reach a content, applications, and cloud services to serve the entire GCC
region with resilient and low latency connectivity,” said Ivo Ivanov,
CEO of DE-CIX. “This upgrade further reinforces the importance of
the UAE-IX, now ready to serve the rising demand for everything
digital.” Karim Benkirane, chief commercial officer at du added:
“We are proud to partner with DE-CIX in leading digital growth in
the Middle East with the upgrade of the UAE-IX powered by DE-CIX
to 400 GE access. This milestone aligns with our commitment to
maintaining the UAE-IX as a pioneer in interconnection and marks
a transformative leap for regional digital ecosystems.” DE-CIX now
operates Internet Exchanges in Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Turkiye, and
the UAE, offering its DE-CIX as a Service (DaaS) model to support
regional digital transformation.
74 JUNE-JULY 2025