MCIT, Huawei launch Kingdom’s first IoT Lab

A visitor tries an IoT device at the 2015 Internet of Things Solutions World Congress (IOTSWC) in Barcelona in 2015.
Updated 10 December 2018
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MCIT, Huawei launch Kingdom’s first IoT Lab

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and Huawei have announced the launch of the Kingdom’s first Internet of Things (IoT) lab and a fund of $1 million to support Saudi entrepreneurs. The announcement was made during the Huawei Day 2018 event held at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh.

The event was attended by Dr. Sulaiman Mirdad, minister adviser for IT industry development; Dennis Zhang, CEO of Huawei Saudi Arabia; and other representatives, including senior government officials, IT leaders and professionals.

The new lab will be located at Huawei’s innovation center in Riyadh and aims to provide entrepreneurs with a platform to innovate IoT applications, which will directly target the most important vertical sectors to the Kingdom.

This joint initiative between MCIT and Huawei is expected to boost the development of products and applications and promote an open and participatory IoT ecosystem. The new IoT lab is the first such innovation and development joint lab in Saudi Arabia. 

Under this cooperation, Huawei has also made available $1 million of funding to developers to accelerate the adoption of IoT in the Kingdom.

IoT development and innovation have transformed traditional industries and daily life. As hundreds of millions of IoT devices will be used for innovative services, the technology has a key role to play in digitalization across industries. Yet currently there is not much IoT adoption in Saudi Arabia, and there is a shortage in local skills and funding necessary to drive the sector forward. The lab is intended to bridge this gap, and ultimately to drive forward the Kingdom’s digital transformation forward and assist the leadership in achieving their vision of building a knowledge economy, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Plan 2020.

Dr. Ahmed Altheneyan, deputy minister for technology and digital capacities at MCIT, said: “We are proud to launch the Kingdom’s first IoT lab and fund with our partner Huawei, believing as we do that this initiative will help to promote ICT innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, accelerate the adoption of emerging technology within the Kingdom, and support in developing the skillset and technology necessary to enable our vision and national transformation plan.”

Huawei Saudi Arabia CEO Zhang said: “Saudi Vision 2030 calls for the development of the Kingdom into an innovative and globally competitive economy through digital transformation, and our aim at Huawei is to support the success of this vision. 

We are committed to open innovation and collaboration to promote the IoT sector here in Saudi Arabia and we see the launch of this lab as another milestone in our strategic partnership with MCIT.”


Petromin Nissan celebrates decade of partnership excellence in Kingdom

Updated 28 January 2026
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Petromin Nissan celebrates decade of partnership excellence in Kingdom

Petromin Nissan recently hosted an event to celebrate 10 years of partnership with Nissan, marking a decade since Petromin was appointed as the official Nissan dealer in Saudi Arabia. The milestone reflects a partnership shaped by trust, consistent performance, and a shared long-term vision that has played a meaningful role in the development of the automotive sector in the Kingdom.

The event highlighted Petromin Nissan’s continued confidence in the Saudi market, demonstrated by the attendance of senior leadership from Nissan Global, the Middle East, and Saudi Arabia. The Kingdom was reaffirmed as one of Nissan’s most important growth markets in the region, in line with the company’s global focus on innovation, sustainability, and intelligent mobility.

The celebration was attended by a number of senior industry and business leaders, including Sheikh Amr Al-Dabbagh, chairman and CEO of Al-Dabbagh Group, reflecting the significance of the partnership and its broader impact on the Kingdom’s automotive and business landscape.

As part of its performance over the past year, Petromin Nissan had been awarded two Awards of Excellence from Nissan Global, recognizing operational strength and overall business performance, and reinforcing its standing as one of Nissan’s leading partners worldwide.

Paddy Magee, managing director of Petromin Nissan, said: “Over the past 10 years, Petromin’s priority has been to build a business that puts the customer first while fully reflecting Nissan’s global standards. Through expanding our network, strengthening our service capabilities, and investing in our people, we have focused on creating sustainable value for the Saudi market.”

Adib Takieddine, managing director of Nissan Saudi Arabia, said: “Saudi Arabia continues to be a strategic market for Nissan. Our partnership with Petromin has been instrumental in strengthening our presence in the Kingdom, supporting growth, enhancing customer satisfaction, and advancing our long-term vision for mobility in alignment with Vision 2030.”

Over the decade, Petromin Nissan significantly expanded its footprint across the Kingdom, now operating 18 showrooms and 16 service centers in 11 cities, improving accessibility and delivering a more seamless customer experience nationwide.

Reflecting on the broader partnership, Terence Byrne, CEO of National Motor Company, said: “Reaching this milestone is a clear reflection of a partnership built on shared values and long-term commitment. Petromin Nissan has established a strong platform in Saudi Arabia and continues to deliver real impact for customers and the wider automotive ecosystem.”

Looking ahead, Petromin Nissan reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the Saudi market, with continued focus on innovation, sustainability, digital transformation, and customer-centric mobility as the partnership moves into its next phase.