RIYADH: The number of women’s businesses incubated by the Badir Program for Technology Incubators grew by 144 percent in 2017 to 44.
The businesses are active in the fields of telecommunications, software, e-commerce and smartphone apps.
Badir, an initiative of King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, expects the coming years to see a rise in Saudi entrepreneurship due to support from government agencies.
The Kingdom is encouraging innovation and technical development in startups, and expects the sector to play a vital role in the economy.
Badir CEO Nawaf Al-Sahhaf said the program is supporting the ambitions and initiatives of Saudi female entrepreneurs, helping them participate in local and regional conferences, and providing them with women-only offices to conduct workshops that prepare them to efficiently manage their businesses.
“Badir has raised Saudi women’s awareness about technology entrepreneurship, and promoted a culture of free enterprise through conducting workshops and training programs, speaking to college students, and participating in university events,” he said.
Al-Sahhaf urged Saudi female entrepreneurs to reach out to Badir, which he said will provide logistic, technical and consultative support as long as the idea is innovative.
“Badir will also provide an office for the business, and the right to access modern and advanced facilities and labs,” he added.
The program has incubated 239 technology projects since its establishment until the end of 2017. Those projects have created some 1,615 full-time and part-time jobs for Saudi youths.
Saudi women’s technology businesses incubated by Badir up 144%
Saudi women’s technology businesses incubated by Badir up 144%
Spears of Victory 2026 military exercise begins at eastern province Air Warfare Center
- Spears of Victory 2026, one of the largest air exercises in the region, aims to enhance military partnerships
- Exercise includes a series of advanced training activities, such as joint and combined tactical operations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced the start of the “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The exercise is being conducted with the participation of branches of the Saudi Armed Forces, including land, air, naval and air defense forces, in addition to the Ministry of the National Guard, the Presidency of State Security, the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council and military forces from 15 allied and partner countries.
Spears of Victory 2026, one of the largest air exercises in the region, aims to enhance military partnerships, strengthen the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, raise combat readiness and achieve advanced levels of operational coordination and integration among participating forces.
The exercise includes a series of advanced training activities, such as joint and combined tactical operations, specialized academic lectures and operational missions designed to improve the performance of aircrews, technical and support personnel.
It also evaluates modern military tactics, including electronic and cyber warfare, within a multidimensional operational environment that simulates real operational conditions.
Forces participating in the exercise include those from Bahrain, Bangladesh, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Turkiye, the UK and the US.
Spears of Victory 2026 is being conducted at the Air Warfare Center, one of the most advanced training facilities in the region, supporting the development of combat plans, the assessment of capabilities and the testing and evaluation of systems and weapons.
