RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is pursuing additional global partnerships to bolster its already robust digital infrastructure as the minister of communications and information technology met with senior officials from Silicon Valley.
Discussions between Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha and Antonio Neri, president and CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, were held on Dec. 5 to enhance local content and contribute to the growth of the Kingdom’s digital economy.
The meeting focused on extending the strategic partnership into modern technology, cloud computing, and the localization of servers, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.
The minister highlighted Saudi Arabia’s potential for a strong digital infrastructure and its status as the largest market in the region. Talks also centered around the exploration of collaboration and partnership opportunities across various sectors.
Al-Swaha also met with ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott and Cohere CEO Martin Kon to discuss partnership opportunities in emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.
These talks affirm Saudi Arabia’s position as a key regional technology and innovation hub, with efforts underscoring the region’s commitment to fostering the expansion of a dynamic digital economy, aligning with the goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.
In October, Saudi Arabia and Finland signed a memorandum on information, communication, and technology to strengthen strategic partnerships to support the growth of the digital economy and exchange experiences between the two countries.
The memorandum was signed in Riyadh by Al-Swaha and the Finnish Minister of Foreign Trade and Development, Ville Tavio.
Under the deal, the two nations agreed to cooperate in developing emerging technologies, Internet of Things, cloud, new wireless network technologies, digital capacity development, and government digital transformation.
It will also develop joint programs covering capacity building, collaborative research projects related to technology foresight, and coordination of private sectors in Saudi Arabia and Finland.
Some five months before this agreement, Al-Swaha held talks with Chinese company leaders and investors in the digital economy, space, and innovation sectors.
According to the communications ministry’s website, the meeting, held in Beijing, was organized by MCIT in collaboration with eWTP Arabia Capital and the Saudi Arabia-China Entrepreneur Association to strengthen the strategic partnership between Saud Arabia and China.
Al-Swaha emphasized fostering cooperative relationships and exchanging experiences and expertise in technological projects and initiatives. He highlighted the alignment between Saudi Vision 2030 and the Belt and Road Initiative, providing a roadmap for collaboration.
The minister also showcased successful partnership models between the two countries in various fields and discussed the promising investment opportunities available.
