The National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) won the Arab Government Excellence Award, in its third session, in the category of Best Government Development Initiative and Experience, for the Electronic Census of Population, Housing and Establishments 2020 project.

The award was received by His Excellency Dr Khalifa bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Barwani, CEO of the NCSI, on 28 November 2024, at a ceremony held under the auspices of His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, in the Grand Hall at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt. 

Commenting on this occasion, His Excellency Dr. Khalifa bin Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Barwani, CEO of NCSI, clarified that,  the Electronic Census 2020 project, created a sustainable base for national administrative records that are relied upon to support decision-making, and in drawing up plans and projects, as it represents a huge and sustainable central database that links various databases of government and private entities, while it is updateable immediately, and considered as a statistical tributary for implementing many population, agricultural and industrial censuses.

He pointed out that, the Electronic Census 2020 project provides the possibility of implementing economic and social surveys, whenever it is required. It also enabled the implementation of population censuses in the years 2021 2022 and 2023, with a number of employees not exceeding the fingers of one hand and at zero financial cost.

His Excellency also clarified that this award, which is concerned with developing the government experience, is embodying the development of the statistical and information work in the Sultanate of Oman, which relies on modern technologies and artificial intelligence programs to keep pace with the contemporary era, and to accelerate the accession of the data which coupled with detailed information and spatial dimension in the fastest ways, to serve decision-makers.

He added that the electronic census project also contributed to create many advantages and initiatives, including the enhancement of sustainable data, strengthening the NCSI's capability to conduct future analyses and monitoring the variables, changes and developments at various time stages, that enabled the Centre to provide decision-makers with data of population, housing and establishments in the Sultanate of Oman as for the current situation.

His Excellency added that the electronic census project also contributed to strengthening the field of environmental sustainability through its dependence on digital platforms and dispensing with paper forms and documents. It also created a safe work environment due to the lack of need for fieldwork, which was associated with hardship working conditions for workers.

He concluded by saying that, this award will be an additional incentive for us to achieve further development and creativity in the field of statistics and information. Emphasizing the NCSI's commitment to implementing the latest technologies in all its work, tasks and practices to support Oman Vision 2040 and strengthening the renewed renaissance under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, may Almighty Allah protect him.

It is worth noting that this award is the first of its kind in the Arab region, and it looks forward to being the largest Arab award in the field of development, improvement and administrative excellence in the Arab region.

The award aims to create a new Arab movement in the field of administration that implements the best international practices in the field of government performance excellence and sheds light on the successful administrative experiences in the Arab region.