ESRI MENA conference begins today

Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, yesterday presided over a ceremony to mark the opening of the GIS conference for the ESRI Middle East and North Africa Users at Shangari-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa.

The conference was organised by Khatib and Alami; and ESRI Muscat and ESRI in the Middle East and North Africa. Addressing the conference, Macki stressed that the geographical data systems would have a significant role in facilitating information and providing tools in the field of planning.

The Sultanate, like the rest of the countries in the Middle East and North Africa, is witnessing a speedy development in infrastructure, pointing out the infrastructural developments being carried out in Sohar, Salalah, Duqm and Qalhat, he said.

He also pointed out to a number of new mega industrial projects functioning in Sohar. He also highlighted the potential of the Sultanate in tourism field, pointing out that the number of tourists increased from 783,000 in the year 2003 to 1.2 million in 2006.

Faisal Alami, chairman of the ESRI Muscat, in his address, highlighted the objectives of the conference. The conference would provide the participants to share their experiences, problems and methodologies with users of the similar needs.

Source : http://timesofoman.com