Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 51 | Page 12

NEWS Riyadh set to become the Arab World’s first digital capital in 2020 technologies to enhance socio-economic development, advance healthcare, improve education and to ultimately increase community welfare. As a result, the ICT sector is contributing 4% of the country’s GDP. In addition, the Kingdom also climbed 16 places in 2019’s World Economic Forum’s Global Competitive Index for ICT adoption. Riyadh was named the Arab world’s first ever digital capital city at the 23rd session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Communications and Information Technology R iyadh is set to become the Arab world’s first ever digital capital city. The announcement was revealed at the 23rd session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Communications and Information Technology, which took place at The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Riyadh. The decision to name Riyadh as the Arab Digital Capital follows the city’s prominent role in adopting and promoting the use of digital The Arab Digital Capital initiative seeks to encourage the creation of a stimulating ecosystem for investment in Information and Communications Technology, activate initiatives that develop knowledge within the ICT industry across Arab countries, and to adopt new initiatives that facilitate and enhance tech entrepreneurship in the Arab region. The award is a recognition of Saudi Arabia’s achievements in the ICT sector and is set to provide a greater impetus to the country’s busy regional and international agenda in the coming year. ////////////////// Ministry of Labor and Social Development signs MoU with stc Group to build strategic partnership T he Ministry of Labor and Social Development in Saudi Arabia, and the stc Group, have signed a memorandum of understanding to build a strategic partnership. The Ministry of Labor and Social Development and the stc Group have signed a MoU The MoU includes enabling Digital Transformation, training, qualifying and employing those who benefit from the ministry’s training and employment opportunities, providing data and Internet solutions and services at high speed, in accordance with international standards, as well as wired and wireless phone lines and IP Telephony services. It also incorporates the development of fast, effective and high-quality communication and co-ordination tools for VIPs through technical support mechanisms and rapid response to malfunctions, awareness and media campaigns and sponsored activities and events. HE Eng Mohammed bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the Assistant Minister of Labor and Social Development, said: “This co-operation comes from the Kingdom’s 2030 Vision and falls in line with the strategic goals to support communication channels between government agencies on the one hand and between the citizen and the private sector on the other hand.” 12 INTELLIGENTCIO “It also facilitates smart methods of communication and follows the message of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development to work on developing plans for achieving social economic development and the development of the national economic policy, and the desire of the ministry to build a fruitful partnership and co-operation with various government and private agencies and sectors for the benefit of the users of their services.” www.intelligentcio.com