stc Group, Red Sea Global in deal to propel digital transformation

This deal aligns with RSG’s mission to act as an agent of change by collaborating with entities to spearhead innovations that reimagine the boundaries of the sector to create a more prosperous world. Supplied
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Updated 05 November 2023
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stc Group, Red Sea Global in deal to propel digital transformation

RIYADH: Digital transformation on the Red Sea coast is poised for growth thanks to a new strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia’s stc Group and Red Sea Global.

The recently signed agreement aims to empower tourist destinations along the coast by adopting modern communication technologies and digital services, according to a statement.

This deal aligns with RSG’s mission to act as an agent of change by collaborating with entities to spearhead innovations that reimagine the boundaries of the sector to create a more prosperous world.

“As a key player in the digital transformation of the Kingdom, we are pleased to continue our support by partnering with The Red Sea destination — one of the largest national initiatives,” stc Group CEO Olayan Mohammed Al-Wetaid said.

“We recognize the significance of this project for the country and are committed to leveraging our expertise to develop it further,” Al-Wetaid added.

Under the deal, stc Group is expected to offer leading-edge connectivity services to The Red Sea and AMAALA destinations by delivering tailored solutions with potential expansion into newly developed areas in the near future.

Those solutions include fixed and mobile services with 5G technologies and connectivity through the group’s data centers.

RSG Group CEO John Pagano highlighted: “From seamless and personalized services for our visitors to 24/7 monitoring of the environment, technology underpins our vision for The Red Sea and AMAALA.”

He also stated that stc’s technology ensures that the group cannot only meet but also exceed the high expectations of its discerning guests while achieving the ambitions to pioneer regenerative tourism.

In March, Saudi Arabia was ranked second among the G20 countries and fourth globally in its readiness for digital systems, the UN’s International Telecommunication Union revealed at the time.

At the time, the ranking came following the Kingdom’s success in building a sustainable regulatory framework and shifting toward digital collaborative regulation to empower the digital economy, according to a report by the ITU, a specialized agency responsible for all matters related to information and communication technologies.


Saudi Arabia, Japan trade rises 38% between 2016 and 2024, minister says

Updated 11 January 2026
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Saudi Arabia, Japan trade rises 38% between 2016 and 2024, minister says

RIYADH: Trade between Saudi Arabia and Japan has increased by 38 percent between 2016 and 2024 to reach SR138 billion ($36 billion), the Kingdom’s investment minister revealed.

Speaking at the Saudi-Japanese Ministerial Investment Forum 2026, Khalid Al-Falih explained that this makes the Asian country the Kingdom’s third-largest trading partner, according to Asharq Bloomberg.

This falls in line with the fact that Saudi Arabia has been a very important country for Japan from the viewpoint of its energy security, having been a stable supplier of crude oil for many years.

It also aligns well with how Japan is fully committed to supporting Vision 2030 by sharing its knowledge and advanced technologies.

“This trade is dominated by the Kingdom's exports of energy products, specifically oil, gas, and their derivatives. We certainly look forward to the Saudi private sector increasing trade with Japan, particularly in high-tech Japanese products,” Al-Falih said.

He added: “As for investment, Japanese investment in the Kingdom is good and strong, but we look forward to raising the level of Japanese investments in the Kingdom. Today, the Kingdom offers promising opportunities for Japanese companies in several fields, including the traditional sector that links the two economies: energy.”

The minister went on to note that additional sectors that both countries can also collaborate in include green and blue hydrogen, investments in advanced industries, health, food security, innovation, entrepreneurship, among others.

During his speech, Al-Falih shed light on how the Kingdom’s pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka achieved remarkable success, with the exhibition receiving more than 3 million visitors, reflecting the Japanese public’s interest in Saudi Arabia.

“The pavilion also organized approximately 700 new business events, several each day, including 88 major investment events led by the Ministry of Investment. Today, as we prepare for the upcoming Expo 2030, we look forward to building upon Japan’s achievements,” he said.

The minister added: “During our visit to Japan, we agreed to establish a partnership to transfer the remarkable Japanese experience from Expo Osaka 2025 to Expo Riyadh 2030. I am certain that the Japanese pavilion at Expo Riyadh will rival the Saudi pavilion at Expo Osaka in terms of organization, innovation, and visitor turnout.”

Al-Falih also shed light on how Saudi-Japanese relations celebrated their 70th anniversary last year, and today marks the 71st year of these relations as well as how they have flourished over the decades, moving from one strategic level to an even higher one.