TAIF: Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, inspected work on the new Taif project on Monday on the first stop of a tour of the eastern governorates.
The project, carried out by the Center for Development Complementarity, consists of the new airport, Okaz City, the Technical Oasis, a residential suburb, industrial city and university city.
Prince Khaled Al-Faisal launched the Unified Center for Services, which will house the governorate, police and the subsidiary municipality. The center will investigate any problems facing the project.
Work on the airport, which will receive six million visitors a year, began last September. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) signed a contract for the development and operation of the airport, 40 km northeast of Taif, to a consortium consisting of Asiad company and the Union of Contractors Company, in addition to the Munich Airports Company. The project is expected to be completed in 2020.
The residential suburb will contain 3,919 units and 6,670 villas.
The Makkah governor discussed work on Souq Okaz City and reviewed the industrial city project, the first in the governorate. About SR120 million has been allocated to the infrastructure and first phase of the development.
He also opened the first phase of the solar power plant in the Technical Oasis in Taif. The eco-friendly plant will provide power to 1,000 houses and the projects of the Technical Oasis.
Prince Khaled checked business incubators and accelerators in Taif, and their role in helping pioneering projects and companies develop.
By 2020 the project will assist 600 companies throughout the country.
He inspected a project to build and assemble Antonov aircraft. The project, which will improve national security and boost aircraft production in the Kingdom, will provide 10,000 jobs.
In the first phase, light transport aircraft will be manufactured. Middle and heavy transport aircraft will be built in the second phase.
Prince Khaled also checked on the progress of work in the University City. The city will host student and teachers dorms, a university hospital, as well as pharmacy, business, medicine, engineering and computer science faculties.
On Tuesday, Prince Khaled will visit local councils in the governorates of Taif, Maysan and Al-Muwaiyah to review development projects. He will also meet residents to listen to their demands.
Makkah governor opens first phase of solar plant in Taif
Makkah governor opens first phase of solar plant in Taif
Absher Hackathon finalists highlight scale of Saudi tech talent
- World’s largest hackathon underscores growing national enthusiasm for tech innovation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s push to position itself as a global hub for digital innovation was on display this weekend as the Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon 2025 — billed as the world’s largest hackathon — concluded with the announcement of finalist teams competing for prizes totaling SR1 million ($266,000).
The three-day hackathon, organized by the Ministry of Interior in partnership with Tuwaiq Academy, brought together innovators from across the Kingdom to develop digital solutions aligned with the ministry’s digital transformation goals.
The finalist teams recognized for their projects were: Shadow, Wusool, Watheeq , Tanabbah, HRS, Ikhlaa, Amal, Mustabiq, Al‑Dahna, Inspire, Saqour Al‑Watan, Thaqib, Sawt Al‑Mustaqbal, Manee, and YS Advance International.
In addition to cash prizes, the competition offered SR450,000 in support from the National Technology Development Program, along with incubation opportunities at Invi Lab to help teams turn prototypes into market-ready products.
Tariq Al‑Hamid, official spokesperson for the Absher Conference, told Arab News that the hackathon has generated strong momentum nationwide.
This year’s event included more than 4,000 participants from all regions of the Kingdom — “a reflection of the growing national enthusiasm for digital innovation,” he said.
HIGHLIGHT
The Absher Tuwaiq Hackathon brought together innovators from across the Kingdom to develop digital solutions aligned with the ministry’s digital transformation goals.
According to Al‑Hamid, the 2025 event was structured around four specialized tracks: digital identity and security applications; artificial intelligence for predictive and proactive security; Internet of Things applications supporting field operations; and innovations to enhance or expand services on the Absher Platform.
He added that this focused approach allowed participants “to present high‑quality ideas and advanced prototypes at levels comparable to international competitions.”
Participants also took part in more than 80 training programs delivered by global partners including Google Cloud, Meta, NVIDIA, and Huawei, an experience Al-Hamid said significantly strengthened both the competition and participants’ skills.
Al-Hamid said that the hackathon’s impact extends beyond prize money. “More important than the cash reward is the opportunity to turn creative ideas into real products that make an impact on citizens, residents, and visitors.”
Standout participants often attract the attention of leading national technology companies seeking new talent, he added.
Participation was open to individuals and teams from across Saudi Arabia, from high school students to industry professionals, highlighting the inclusivity of the event and the breadth of the Kingdom’s innovation ecosystem.
The hackathon forms part of the wider Absher Tuwaiq initiative, a core pillar of the upcoming Absher Conference 2025, which will empower more than 100,000 participants across seven technical tracks in 16 cities, in partnership with 20 local and international organizations.
The conference, organized by the Ministry of Interior and Tuwaiq Academy, sponsored by Elm Company and held in strategic partnership with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority, will take place in Riyadh from Dec. 17 -19.
The event will showcase national digital innovations and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role in global technology.
