This comprehensive agreement aims to enhance Saudi Arabia’s stature as a regional hub for technology and innovation…reports Asian Lite News
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has entered into a collaborative pact with India, focusing on digitisation and electronic manufacturing.
The pact was formalised by MCIT’s Minister, Eng. Abdullah Al-Sawaha, and India’s Minister for Railways, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw.
This comprehensive agreement aims to amplify collaboration in areas such as digital infrastructure, e-health, and e-learning. Additionally, it strives to bolster joint initiatives in research, digital innovation, and the application of emerging technologies.
By doing so, it fortifies Saudi Arabia’s stature as a regional hub for technology and innovation, magnifying its appeal for investment through robust strategic partnerships.
The pact serves as a catalyst for the burgeoning digital economy, aligning with the nation’s objectives related to innovation and the digital economy, aligning harmoniously with the ambitious Vision 2030.
The agreement resonates with the unwavering backing that the communications and information technology sector receives from Saudi Arabia’s visionary leadership.
Moreover, it tangibly reflects the substantial progress in Saudi Arabia-India relations, elevating their economic synergy, particularly in the dynamic realms of technology and digital economic expansion.
On the sidelines of the G20 meet, Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, met with G20 economy leaders.
During his visit to India, Alswaha also met with his Japanese counterpart and discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the digital economy, innovation, and investment.
In two separate meetings before the G20 Digital Economy Working Group, Alswaha discussed with Japanese Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Takeaki Matsumoto and Minister for Digital Transformation Kono Taro ways to enhance the Saudi-Japanese cooperation in the digital economy.
Digital Government Authority Governor Eng. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Suwayan also held separate meeting with officials from the European Commission to discuss ways to bolster Saudi-European Union (EU) cooperation in digital economy and transformation and innovation.
The priorities of the Indian G20 presidency this year within the digital economy working group are centered around the three main topics of digital public infrastructure, security in the digital economy, and digital skilling.
The Kingdom is an active member of the G20, participating in shaping digital policies and in leading several initiatives to drive global efforts in bridging the digital divide. It holds advanced positions within the G20, ranking second in the amount of radio spectrum as well as digital infrastructure readiness, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The Kingdom also ranks second among the G20 countries in the fastest-growing digital economies index as part of the Digital Riser Report published by the European Center for Digital Competitiveness
G20 Health-Finance meet
Minister of Finance Mohammed Aljadaan and Minister of Health Eng. Fahad Aljalajel yesterday took part in the G20 Joint Finance and Health Ministers Meeting held in Gandhinagar, India. Health ministers attended the meeting in-person, while finance ministers participated via videoconference.
The ministers discussed the latest developments concerning the measures taken to address weaknesses and risks in preventing, preparing and responding to pandemics, as well as coordination mechanisms among ministries of finance and health, and means to strengthen them.
They also reviewed a preliminary report on identifying funding gaps related to pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, as well as the role of the Pandemic Fund, which was established based on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s proposal during its G20 Presidency in 2020.
Earlier, Saleh Eid Al Husseini, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to India hailed the strong relationship between the Kingdom and India and said that he wants to bring this relationship to the highest level.
Speaking on the celebrations of the Kingdom’s founding day in New Delhi, the envoy said he was happy to have strong and friendly relationship between the two countries.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said that Kingdom has many plans in the energy sector in close coordination with India and these will come to light soon.
“We have so many plans in the energy sector with India and we will see it very soon,” Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said when asked about Saudi Arabia’s plan in the energy sector with India.