Who’s Who: Tareq Musmali, chief internal auditor of Amaala and The Red Sea Development Co. 

Tareq Musmali
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Updated 24 April 2022
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Who’s Who: Tareq Musmali, chief internal auditor of Amaala and The Red Sea Development Co. 

Tareq Musmali is the chief internal auditor of Amaala and The Red Sea Development Co. (RSDC), two prominent giga-projects of the Saudi Vision 2030 reform plan.

He joined the RSDC in January, and Amaala in March last year, and is responsible for the establishment and management of the internal audit department for both megaprojects.

An accomplished internal audit professional with more than 19 years’ experience, he has run audit assignments and functions in a range of industries including the oil, gas, and service sectors.

He previously established and headed Saudi Aramco’s audit function in the Netherlands and led audit divisions for different Aramco operational areas, its joint ventures, and subsidiaries.

Between March 2019 and March last year, he worked as acting audit manager for Aramco’s downstream audits division and from December 2016 to March 2020 was the company’s upstream audits division audit manager.

Musmali was senior auditor for Aramco’s audit support division from July 2014 to November 2016 and chief internal auditor with Aramco Overseas Co. in the Netherlands between July 2011 and June 2014.

He was in-charge auditor, internal auditing at Aramco from August 2004 to March 2011, and staff auditor, internal auditing from August 2001 to July 2004.

Musmali gained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of New Orleans, in America (1996-2001), has been a certified internal auditor with the US’ Institute of Internal Auditors since May 2007, and took part in Aramco’s college preparatory program between 1995 and 1996.


Riyadh to host Global AI Summit in September

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority will host the third Global AI Summit from Sept. 10 to 12. (@globalaisummit)
Updated 11 sec ago
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Riyadh to host Global AI Summit in September

  • The summit will bring together international ministers, organization heads, CEOs of major tech companies, and AI experts to discuss global AI developments and announce initiatives and agreements

RIYADH: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority will host the third Global AI Summit from Sept. 10 to 12 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday. 

Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, president of SDAIA, highlighted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s dedication to advancing the national data and artificial intelligence agenda, aiming to bolster the Kingdom’s global presence in these fields.

The summit will bring together international ministers, organization heads, CEOs of major tech companies, and AI experts to discuss global AI developments and announce initiatives and agreements, advancing international efforts in data and AI under the Kingdom’s banner.

Topics at the conference include AI innovation, industry trends, shaping a better future with AI, fostering human talent in the field, and other key areas.

This summit, under the crown prince’s leadership, is a testament to the successes of Vision 2030, which position Riyadh as a global hub for cutting-edge AI developments, the SPA said. 


Saudi artist wins Japan manga contest

Updated 12 May 2024
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Saudi artist wins Japan manga contest

  • Manga Arabia’s Samah Kamel recognized for ‘Taif’ which addresses issues surrounding autism
  • Kamel’s win marks the first time a Saudi manga artist has triumphed in the Japan International Manga Award

RIYADH: The Japanese Ambassador to the Kingdom Fumio Iwai awarded Saudi manga artist Samah Kamel with the 17th Japan International Manga Award’s Special Encouragement Award at a ceremony held at the Japanese Embassy in Riyadh.  

Kamel, a regular creator for Manga Arabia, expressed her joy at winning the prize for her work “Taif” about the challenges facing parents of children on the autism spectrum, and the various ways autistic people can be accommodated and integrated into society.

“I was shocked to win because I had entered a few times before without ever winning. This taught me that persistence pays off, and my daughter, who is here with me today, inspired the manga. I would like to encourage any mother raising a child with a disability to know that she is a powerful and inspirational person,” Kamel told Arab News.  

Issam Bukhari, editor-in-chief of Manga Arabia, said Kamel’s achievement is a historic milestone in exporting Saudi and Arab creativity to the world as the first Saudi work to win the Japan International Manga Award, presented by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Iwai told Arab News: “What Manga Arabia is doing is great. I’m very happy today to commend one of their talents for being awarded the International Manga Award, the 17th edition.

“Manga is one of the most popular cultural fields in Japan. So again, I’m very happy to see the spread of Manga culture, not only in Saudi Arabia but also in the Arab world, and what is quite impressive is that Manga Arabia produces so many companies and is providing Saudi kids, Saudi juniors, with their Arabic version of Japan.

“To use manga as well as their original works, and I know Saudi authorities are also trying to make use of manga … in various fields, teaching, like history … environmental protection, and so on,” he added.

“Taif” can be downloaded on the Manga Arabia for Kids app.


Saudi AI authority enhances Makkah route for 7 nations

Updated 12 May 2024
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Saudi AI authority enhances Makkah route for 7 nations

RIYADH: The Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence is participating in providing technical and digital services for the Makkah Route Initiative, a program under the Ministry of Interior’s Pilgrim Experience Program which aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 initiatives.

Engineers and technicians are operating across Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Turkiye, and Ivory Coast, integrating them with the authority’s systems, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Its tasks include developing highly private technical systems that meet service requirements, such as border systems, Hajj systems, traveler registration systems, and mobile bags equipped with biometric registration devices, all aimed at streamlining procedures.

The efforts of the authority are part of the extensive support provided by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to enhance the fields of data and AI, stimulating their growth and maximizing their benefits.

Launched in 2019 in Muslim-majority countries, the scheme allows pilgrims to fulfill all visa, customs and health requirements at their airport of origin, saving hours of waiting before and on arrival in the Kingdom.

The process begins with the issue of electronic visas and individual information collection, followed by streamlined passport procedures before departure.

Stickers are placed on luggage and passports containing information on the flight data and place of residence of each pilgrim. The tagging service is carried out by a specialized team working under the supervision of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Teams at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah receive the luggage, which is then delivered to accommodation of the pilgrims.

The Ministry of Interior is implementing the Makkah Route initiative with several agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, the Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence, the Pilgrim Experience Program, and the General Directorate of Passports.

This year’s pilgrimage is expected to begin on or around June 14 and conclude on June 19.


Jeddah governor launches initiative for a more balanced life

Updated 12 May 2024
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Jeddah governor launches initiative for a more balanced life

  • The campaign aims to raise parents’ awareness of the importance of work-family balance
  • It also aims to honor employers from various sectors who adopt sustainable practices reflecting their interest in the family and society

RIYADH: Jeddah Gov. Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi inaugurated the work-family balance initiative on Sunday, organized by the Al-Mawaddah Association for Family Development under the slogan “Balance Your Life.”

The initiative began in the presence of Mohammed Al-Radi, the association’s general manager, along with several of the organization’s members, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The campaign aims to raise parents’ awareness of the importance of work-family balance, and enhance interaction and cooperation among employers to promote family-supportive work environments.

It also aims to honor employers from various sectors who adopt sustainable practices reflecting their interest in the family and society, such as providing educational and welfare programs for children and the elderly.

The initiative also includes knowledge seminars to raise employees’ awareness of the importance of work-family balance and organizations’ awareness of creating a family-supportive work environment and adopting policies and programs that promote a balance between work and family life.

Al-Radi said: “This awareness initiative is one of several social initiatives and programs offered by the association to improve the quality of family life.”


Saudi forces participate in Eager Lion military drill in Jordan

Updated 12 May 2024
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Saudi forces participate in Eager Lion military drill in Jordan

RIYADH: Units from the Saudi Armed Forces are participating in the Eager Lion military drill, held in Jordan from May 12-23, with the involvement of the armies of 31 countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The head of the Saudi Armed Forces Education and Training Authority, Maj. Gen. Adel Al-Balawi, explained that the exercise aims to exchange expertise and train on planning and implementing joint operations and missile air defense operations, as well as implementing counter-terrorism and maritime security operations to confront regional threats.

The Armed Forces, represented by the General Staff, the Joint Forces Command, and the land, air, sea, and air defense branches, are participating in the exercise.

Recently, the Royal Saudi Air Force concluded its participation in the mixed air exercise Desert Flag, conducted at Al-Dhafra Air Base in the UAE, alongside forces from several friendly countries.

The commander of the forces involved, Lt. Col. Adel bin Saeed Abu Malhah, said that the exercise, which lasts for three weeks, included the implementation of offensive and defensive air counter-operations and support for surface forces within new and complex scenarios under various threats.

He noted that the RSAF participated with six fighter jets from the F-15SA system with full air, technical, and support crews, conducting 80 daytime and night sorties and aerial refueling.