Digital hub target on track with China tech

2022-12-16 China Daily Editor:Li Yan

Saudi Arabia is speeding toward a digital future full of potential with Chinese cooperation, the kingdom's Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha said.

With its robust young population, Saudi Arabia is one of the world's fastest-growing gaming markets. "Definitely it's one of the top 10," Alswaha told China Daily in Riyadh on Dec 8.

Referring to the sound bilateral relationship between China and the kingdom, the minister said: "We're very proud about the tight relationship that we have from a tech and digital perspective, and today we have an amazing opportunity to cement this in terms of gaming."

Alswaha noted Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud's announcement of a national strategy for e-gaming and e-sports a few months ago.

"And today, we're announcing a huge investment between ONEMT and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in which they are moving their regional headquarters and even soon their global operations," he said. Alswaha said the deal with Chinese company ONEMT "is a significant investment in which they're bringing jobs, they're bringing investments and more importantly, gaming studios".

The Chinese businesspeople are "helping us become the global hub for gaming and e-sports". "We are very proud and very excited," he said.

Moreover, as the country implements Saudi Vision 2030, it is embracing technological advancement in all sectors.

The Saudi information technology market has grown by 14.6 percent so far this year, and its telecom market grew by 7.1 percent, compared to the same period last year.

The number of technology companies listed on the local stock market increased from three last year to nine this year. And the number of jobs in the sector increased to 340,000, with a growth rate of 7 percent.

Moreover, women's participation in the sector increased to 30.5 percent, with a growth rate of 3.32 percent, compared to the second quarter of 2021, a remarkable achievement in the kingdom.

According to ministry data, the Saudization rate in the communications and information technology sector reached 60.3 percent this year, a moderate rise from 2021.

The ministry also said the nation is developing digital capabilities, involving more than 30,000 people in specialized technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data science, and has raised digital awareness among more than 259,000 Saudi beneficiaries this year, thereby increasing the number of beneficiaries from digital knowledge programs to 15 million.

Saudi Arabia is also conducting a Space Scholarship Program after signing the Artemis Accords for outer space exploration. The kingdom will send the first batch of 30 male and female students to pursue studies in space science disciplines.

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