RIYADH: China has signed an agreement with the Kingdom to train Saudis for the country’s telecommunications sector, as part of efforts to replace all foreigners.
According to an online report on Monday quoting Chinese diplomats, Beijing’s Ministry of Commerce would provide the training in all parts of the sector, including mobile sales, maintenance and accessories.
The Chinese diplomats lauded the Kingdom’s decision to Saudize the mobile market because “it is one of the important and vital sectors, which ensures huge monetary returns.”
Labor Minister Mofarrej Al-Haqabani had earlier called for the entire telecommunications sector to be Saudized. The ministry sent circulars to companies telling them to have 50 percent Saudi employees in three months and 100 percent in six months, ending on Sept. 2 this year.
Over 33,000 Saudi men and women have applied for training in the telecommunications industry, the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) announced here last week. Most applied for mobile maintenance, followed by sales and customer services. Most women applied to deal with mobile accessories.
The Ministry of Labor announced the new plan two weeks ago to minimize cover-up activities and ensure Saudis have sustainable employment in small, medium and large businesses. There are 20,000 jobs available for Saudis in the sector.
Candidates must be over 18 and not employed. There is a 25-hour basic course and 180-hour advanced maintenance program. Successful candidates will be awarded a certificate.
The TVTC orientation program will cover four professional and technical sectors. Others participating agencies include the ministries of commerce and industry, municipal and rural affairs, and communications and technology. The Human Resources Development Fund and General Organization for Social Insurance will also be involved.
China to train Saudis for telecom sector
China to train Saudis for telecom sector
Saudi Arabia to host 13th annual meeting of Global Research Council next year
- The event will be held in partnership with Turkiye
RIYADH: The Global Research Council has approved Saudi Arabia, represented by the Research, Development and Innovation Authority and the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, to host its 13th annual meeting in 2025, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The 12th annual meeting of the Global Research Council was hosted this week by the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Fund for Science, Technology and Innovation in Interlaken, Switzerland.
Munir bin Mahmoud El-Desouki, president of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and deputy chairman of the Global Research Council, highlighted the importance of the topics to be discussed at the upcoming 13th annual meeting in Riyadh.
The event will be held in partnership with Turkiye, represented by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye.
The meeting will focus on “research management in the age of artificial intelligence” and “collaborative innovation to address global challenges toward achieving sustainable development, including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity.” These themes have been chosen to align with global trends and the Kingdom’s future aspirations in research, development and innovation.
El-Desouki highlighted that the use of AI applications in research and development had been one of the most significant global advancements in recent years. He said that employing this technology would help to identify opportunities and address challenges in the research, development and innovation sectors. He urged the council’s member states to share their experiences and insights on AI advances and their contributions to research and development.
He also stressed the importance of research in supporting sustainable development, noting its crucial role in understanding the complex environmental, social and economic challenges facing the world.
Mohammed Al-Otaibi, general supervisor of the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, welcomed the Global Research Council’s decision to have the Kingdom host the 13th annual meeting in 2025.
He highlighted the importance of enhancing regional collaboration among research councils in the Middle East and North Africa to strengthen their impact and contributions to global knowledge and innovation.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister meets with Iraqi counterpart
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan met on Friday with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein in Beijing, China.
The two ministers discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them in various fields.
International and regional issues, such as the latest developments in Gaza, were also discussed.
Saudi, Palestinian health ministers discuss cooperation
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Health Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajel met in Geneva with his Palestinian counterpart Majed Abu Ramadan to discuss cooperation.
Al-Jalajel reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people, especially in the healthcare sector.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, Abdulmohsen Majed bin Khothaila, the Saudi permanent representative to the UN in Geneva, also attended the meeting.
Saudi foreign minister meets with Chinese counterpart
- The ministers reviewed the current regional and international developments
BEIJING: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a state visit to Beijing, state news agency SPA reported on Friday.
The ministers reviewed the current regional and international developments and explored opportunities to enhance multilateral cooperation on issues of common interests.
| Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan met with the Foreign Minister of China, H.E. Wang Yi, during His Highness's visit to Beijing. pic.twitter.com/K5ZsimwbTC
— Foreign Ministry (@KSAmofaEN) May 31, 2024
They also discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen partnerships across various fields.
The Saudi foreign minister was in Beijing to attend the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, where he praised Beijing’s support for efforts to end the conflict in Gaza and push for the two-state solution.
In his address at the summit, Prince Faisal reiterated calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and an uninterrupted flow of aid into the enclave.
KSrelief provides food, health aid to Jordan and Yemen
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s aid agency KSrelief has continued to provide health and food support to vulnerable people in Jordan’s Zaatari refugee camp and Yemen.
Health workers at clinics operated by KSrelief in Zaatari refugee camp treated over 2,349 patients during May, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Friday.
There were 335 procedures performed on patients suffering from various issues including tonsillitis, as well as ear and sinus infections.
Meanwhile in Yemen, KSrelief distributed food to 680 families in Aden and Lahj, which benefitted 4,760 individuals.
