Saudi Arabia pledges $9bn to support tech, startups, digital entrepreneurship at LEAP23

Meta announced on the conference’s first day the opening of the first Metaverse Academy in the MENA region, headquartered in Saudi Arabia. (Supplied/LEAP)
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Updated 07 February 2023
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Saudi Arabia pledges $9bn to support tech, startups, digital entrepreneurship at LEAP23

  • Investments intended to enhance the Kingdom’s position as the largest digital economy in the MENA region
  • Minister says Saudi Arabia leads in terms of manpower, with 340,000 people working in the tech sector

RIYADH: Riyadh’s LEAP23 Conference on Monday announced more than $9 billion in investments to support future technologies, entrepreneurship, and tech startups to enhance the Kingdom’s position as the largest digital economy in the Middle East and North Africa region.

The investments were announced by the Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha.

He added: “The LEAP23 Conference has become an annual occasion that brings together the most important international technology experts.”

Al-Swaha said that the financial backing included Microsoft’s $2.1 billion investment in a global super-scale cloud in the Kingdom; Oracle’s $1.5 billion aimed at expanding its MENA business by launching new cloud areas in Saudi Arabia; Huawei’s $400 million toward cloud infrastructure for its services; and the launch of a Zoom cloud area in the Kingdom, in partnership with Aramco, worth $434 million. 

He added that an additional $4.5 billion had been invested in global and local assets across multiple sectors.

Al-Swaha said the investments were part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s empowerment of the technology sector, adding that the Kingdom continues to lead when it comes to manpower, with more than 340,000 people working in the sector.

He added that the country is also witnessing exceptional progress in female participation in the telecommunications and information technology sector, as it stands now at 32.5 percent — a rate higher than both the EU and Silicon Valley.

Outcomes of the conference will contribute to diversifying the economy, according to Al-Swaha.

It has now become one of the most important annual global technical events, connecting people with entrepreneurs and decision-makers, creating scores of opportunities. 

Meta announced on the conference’s first day the opening of the first Metaverse Academy in the MENA region, headquartered in Saudi Arabia.

WEO Technology and Camel Lab announced the launch of Hektar, a multi-content social media app; and MENA Communication and STC publicized the launch of Beem, a new application for instant messaging, high-quality voice and video calls, and business features.

The conference is expected to attract more than 250,000 visitors from around the world. 


Saudi Arabia, Egypt urge immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza amid Israeli escalation

Updated 9 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia, Egypt urge immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza amid Israeli escalation

  • During the call, both ministers expressed deep concern over the Israeli escalation in Lebanon

RIYADH: The Saudi foreign minister and his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty held a phone conversation on Friday to discuss the deteriorating situation in Lebanon and the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, both ministers expressed deep concern over the Israeli escalation in Lebanon, emphasizing their countries' solidarity with the Lebanese people amidst the ongoing crisis, SPA added.

They stressed the need for the Lebanese state to fully exercise its authority and sovereignty over all its territories, with international support enabling it to manage the crisis effectively.

The ministers called upon the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to take urgent action to facilitate an immediate and permanent ceasefire in both Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

Highlighting the importance of regional stability, they reaffirmed the Kingdom and Egypt's commitment to continue coordinating efforts to address the challenges posed by the escalating violence in the Arab region.

The joint appeal for international intervention comes as tensions in Lebanon and Gaza reach new heights, with concerns growing over the humanitarian and security repercussions for the broader Middle East.


More German pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia, ambassador says

Updated 19 min 36 sec ago
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More German pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia, ambassador says

  • Envoy spoke at event to mark Unity Day, which celebrates reunification of East and West Germany on Oct. 3, 1990

RIYADH: A growing number of German Muslims are undertaking pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia, Germany’s ambassador to the Kingdom said.

Speaking at an event to mark Unity Day, which celebrates the reunification of East and West Germany on Oct. 3, 1990, envoy Michael Kindsgrab told Arab News that Hajj and Umrah were two of the many areas in which Germany and Saudi Arabia were cooperating.

“That is just one example of how we can establish more people-to-people contact,” he said.

As well as marking the 34th anniversary of Unity Day, this year is the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Germany.

Speaking about his work and experiences in the Kingdom, Kindsgrab said: “It’s of course a big honor to be working as German ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Germany as a country is becoming more and more diverse. It is just the right moment to be here to explore new areas of cooperation.

ide the ambassador of Germany to Saudi Arabia Michael Kindsgrab. (AN Photo/Huda BashAttah)

“It has been the most interesting and exciting posting that I have had in my career and I really look forward to the next year. I also have to say I really enjoy life here, people are enormously nice and enormously interesting.”

The event at the German Embassy in Riyadh featured a variety of activities and booths showcasing German businesses in Saudi Arabia, including the Goethe-Institut and the German International School.

A military band provided entertainment with renditions of popular jazz, rock and pop songs.

On the importance of Unity Day, Kindsgrab said: “For me, the significance is that it was embedded in European unity, because together with German unity we achieved European unity which makes Germany a country at the heart of Europe surrounded by friends.”

Undersecretary of Riyadh Region Faisal Al-Sudairi was among the invited officials, diplomats and representatives of German-Saudi businesses at the embassy event.


Royal Saudi Air Force joins Sindh Shield 2024 exercise in Pakistan

Updated 45 min 16 sec ago
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Royal Saudi Air Force joins Sindh Shield 2024 exercise in Pakistan

RIYADH: The Royal Saudi Air Force has deployed to Pakistan for the multinational Shield of Sindh 2024 exercise.

The event, hosted at Mushaf Air Base, brings together air forces from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Egypt and Turkiye in a comprehensive training scenario.

Lt. Gen. Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, commander of the RSAF, saw off the departure of the Saudi contingent from King Abdulaziz Air Base in the Eastern Sector.

Before takeoff, he conducted a thorough inspection of equipment and received detailed briefings on the operational readiness of flight crews, technical teams and support personnel. The Saudi contribution to the exercise is substantial, featuring a squadron of six Tornado aircraft.

Speaking about the exercise, he said: “Our participation in Shield of Sindh 2024 serves multiple objectives. It strengthens our bonds with Pakistan and other participating nations, while also providing a platform to demonstrate the exceptional capabilities and professionalism of the Royal Saudi Air Force, and allowing air and support crews to gain more combat experience in unconventional and electronic warfare environments.”


Falcons exhibition opens its door for visitors at Malham

Updated 54 min 7 sec ago
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Falcons exhibition opens its door for visitors at Malham

RIYADH: The Saudi International Falcons and Hunting Exhibition 2024 opened its door Friday to visitors in Malham, north of Riyadh, showcasing a blend of tradition and modernity.

Running for 10 days under the theme “a world that resembles you,” the mega event has drawn over 400 exhibitors from 45 countries.

Organized by the Saudi Falcons Club, this year’s exhibition marks a significant expansion, occupying 160,000 square meters and featuring a diverse array of attractions. 

In a groundbreaking move, it hosts the Kingdom’s first platform for selling hunting weapons, with Saudi companies representing more than 55 global brands, alongside special and rare editions for hunting enthusiasts. The event also provides real and virtual hunting experiences.

Waleed Al-Taweel, spokesperson of the Saudi Falcons Club, emphasized the exhibition’s role in preserving cultural heritage. 

“We are not just showcasing falconry, we are sustaining a legacy,” he stated, highlighting the falcon’s symbolic importance in Saudi culture as an emblem of courage and pride.

He emphasized that the exhibition highlights falcons, hunting, and related hobbies to revive this ancient Saudi legacy, in line with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal of showcasing and sustaining Saudi heritage and enhancing its role in cultural tourism both domestically and internationally.

Visitors can engage in a wide range of activities, offering hands-on insights into falcon husbandry and training. 

Attendees can explore a vast marketplace where hundreds of vendors display state-of-the-art falconry gear, innovative technologies, and specialized dietary products for these prized birds. 

A notable addition this year is the Future Falconer Program, designed to introduce children to the art of falconry through interactive and educational activities.

The exhibition also includes an outdoor cooking demonstration area, the Shalayel Digital Museum, a photography exhibition, a live fine art gallery, an area for arts, handicrafts, and sculpture, interactive games, and remote-controlled aircraft shows. 

Adventure seekers can enjoy 4x4 vehicle experiences, equestrian shows, and drone demonstrations.

The organizers have made the event accessible to all, with free entry daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.


Pinktober: Saudi Cancer Foundation partners Metro Brazil

Updated 04 October 2024
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Pinktober: Saudi Cancer Foundation partners Metro Brazil

  • Company will donate 5% of sales of post-surgery range to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

RIYADH: The Saudi Cancer Foundation has teamed up with e-commerce platform Metro Brazil to raise funds during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The global health campaign, which is held every October and known as Pinktober, aims to promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects 2.3 million women worldwide.

Throughout the month, Metro Brazil, which sells luxury Brazilian shapewear, will donate 5 percent of the value of its sales of its post-surgery products to the foundation.

The range, which features 25 items, is designed to empower women who have undergone breast surgery to navigate their recovery.

CEO Alaa Kara Ali said: “Pinktober is a global movement dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the fight against breast cancer. By supporting this cause, Metro Brazil aims to contribute to the well-being of women in the Middle East and beyond.

“Our partnership with the foundation reflects our ongoing dedication to women’s health and well-being. Together, we can make a greater impact in the lives of survivors by providing essential recovery aids and amplifying breast cancer awareness.”

The Saudi Cancer Foundation is committed to helping breast cancer patients through early detection, education and recovery programs.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women, although it can also affect men.

Pinktober was launched in 2006 to provide a platform for advocacy organizations, health departments, retailers and community groups to raise awareness of the disease and support those affected by it.