RIYADH: King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) through the Badir program is seeking to establish more than 600 additional companies that would contribute to the creation of 3,600 jobs.
Nawaf Al-Sahhaf, chief executive officer of Badir, said here that the program has incubated 127 technical projects through its five incubators, generating a market value of SR331 million ($88.26 million) for 34 of these projects alone.
He added that some 786 jobs for young Saudis were created as a result. Also, the program is in the process of opening new incubators in the cities of Abha, Buraida, Dammam, and other cities around the Kingdom by 2020.
KACST is seeking to promote incubators and accelerators, and expand activities into nine regions, in line with the Kingdom’s vision at the technical level, and help stimulate the national economy and development.
This plan falls within KACST’s policy to encourage, support and promote the cognitive economy and entrepreneurship. It is a step in the government’s efforts to diversify economic sources by developing non-oil technical industries and promoting innovations and creations.
“Saudis and Saudi companies, when properly empowered, can deliver extraordinary innovative solutions to local and regional problems. We foresee further innovation in solving issues in the fields of medicine and energy, with the use of IT applications to innovate solutions that further streamline the everyday tasks that we do,” Al-Sahhaf said.
KACST Badir program to set up 600 more companies to provide 3,600 jobs
KACST Badir program to set up 600 more companies to provide 3,600 jobs
‘Kingdom is on a path toward the light,’ says US Senator Graham after meeting Prince Khalid bin Salman
DUBAI: US Senator Lindsey Graham believes Saudi Arabia is on ‘a path toward the light’, in a statement he issued after meeting with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who is on an official visit to Washington.
“My engagement with Saudi Arabia over the past two days has given me a sense of confidence that the Kingdom – while it has its own interests – is on a path toward the light, not the darkness,” the senator said in his statement.
The senator also said he was looking forward to visiting Saudi Arabia soon.
The thumbs up tour continues. Great meeting with the Defense Minister of Saudi Arabia, Prince Khalid bin Salman.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 29, 2026
Wow, these people are clever. pic.twitter.com/btT6OSmcSN
“Over the years, I have developed a strong working relationship with Saudi Arabia. I know President Trump is a strong admirer of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. I have seen the changes the Crown Prince has embraced and I have been impressed,” Graham said.
The US senator added that after meeting with Prince Khalid, and Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan earlier, “I am convinced that Saudi Arabia believes the best thing for the region is economic growth and prosperity.”
“Saudi Arabia wants to be a destination of choice in the future, so that people around the world to come visit what I think is an incredible country. Saudi Arabia wants to be one of the dominant forces in Al, which means the best and brightest minds will come. I am convinced that this is still the goal of the Crown Prince and the Kingdom.”
Graham also expressed appreciation to what the Kingdom was trying to do in Syria.
“They have openly said they are the friend of both the Syrian government and the Kurdish people. The attitude of seeking compromise rather than destruction, hopefully, will win the day,” the senator said in his statement.
Prince Khalid is expected to discuss Saudi-US ties and ways to strengthen during his visit, and earlier met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.
