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Oman Achieves 8th Place In Global Entrepreneurship Index 2024

Oman has earned an impressive eighth-place ranking in the Global Entrepreneurship Index 2024, achieving a score of 5.7, up from 5.4 last year. The Sultanate ranks highly across 13 key indicators, which highlight various aspects of national entrepreneurship.

Key Indicators Contributing To Oman’s Success

Oman’s strong position is due to its exceptional performance across 9 entrepreneurial axes, including:

  • Entrepreneur Financing: Enhanced access to funding sources for entrepreneurs.
  • Government Policies: Tangible government support, prioritizing startups and small businesses.
  • Educational Integration: Inclusion of entrepreneurship education in schools, universities, and vocational training.
  • Infrastructure & Market Dynamics: Access to professional infrastructure and a dynamic internal market.
  • Cultural & Social Support: Strong community support for entrepreneurial ventures.

ASMED’s Role In Boosting Oman’s Entrepreneurial Landscape

Oman’s Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (ASMED) has been instrumental in advancing this achievement. By implementing supportive policies, facilitating startup funding, and working with public and private sector partners, ASMED has contributed significantly to the country’s entrepreneurial growth. Initiatives like improved financing for SMEs and easy access to resources have fostered a thriving startup ecosystem.

Global Recognition Of Oman’s Efforts

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’s annual report, renowned for evaluating global economies and their entrepreneurship ecosystems, praised Oman for its efficiency in government policies, financing programs, and business incubators. Experts acknowledged that Oman’s initiatives have raised the competitiveness of its SMEs, enhancing their global standing.

OpenAI Unveils Lockdown Mode For Sensitive AI Workflows

OpenAI has introduced Lockdown Mode, a security feature designed to reduce the risks associated with prompt injection attacks. By limiting access to certain capabilities, the company aims to better protect sensitive information from potential exposure through cached web content and uploaded files.

Enhanced Security Through Restrictive Access

Several features are restricted when Lockdown Mode is enabled. Live web browsing is unavailable, meaning users can access only cached content. Retrieval of images from external sources is also disabled, although image generation remains available. Additional capabilities, including Deep Research and Agent Mode, are limited as part of the security framework aimed at reducing data exposure risks.

Targeted Rollout For High-Security Users

OpenAI has said that Lockdown Mode is not intended for all users. The feature is designed for individuals and organisations handling sensitive information that requires additional safeguards against data exfiltration risks. The rollout is taking place gradually across self-serve ChatGPT Business accounts and a limited number of eligible personal accounts.

Addressing Persistent Vulnerabilities

OpenAI has acknowledged that Lockdown Mode does not eliminate all prompt injection risks. Malicious instructions embedded in cached content or uploaded files may still influence model behaviour and responses. However, the company said the feature is designed to reduce the attack surface and strengthen protections for users working with sensitive data.

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