Saudi Arabia’s PIF Makes Efforts to Enhance Local Investors’ Participation in its Projects

Diriyah Project of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Diriyah Project of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia’s PIF Makes Efforts to Enhance Local Investors’ Participation in its Projects

Diriyah Project of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Diriyah Project of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has been making strong efforts to enhance the participation of local contractors in the projects of the fund’s affiliates, to enable establishments to carry out development work in accordance with the highest quality standards.

In June, the Saudi Contractors Authority, in cooperation with the fund, launched the contractor pre-qualification program for the fund’s units.

The program aims to provide various services and facilities, enabling contractors to pre-qualify under the applicable technical standards. It will also provide a highly reliable indicator for PIF’s affiliates to implement construction projects with the local private sector.

According to official information, PIF is currently working with the Saudi Contractors Authority of the Federation of Saudi Chambers to hold a number of workshops across the Kingdom to introduce the fund’s projects and facilitate the registration mechanism.

The Saudi Contractors Authority (SCA) had urged all contractors to register in Muqawil portal to start pre-qualification for various projects under PIF’s affiliates program.

According to a statement by the SCA, the pre-qualification program enhances contractor opportunities by undertaking quality projects for the sovereign wealth fund’s affiliates. The service offers a platform that includes several of PIF’s units in a unified pre-qualification program.

The program also seeks to enhance competitiveness and transparency in the contracting sector and allows development of existing and future projects, in line with the highest quality standards, the statement added.

Meanwhile, the SCA and DMG Events concluded on Thursday an agreement to organize the Saudi Infrastructure Summit 2023 during the Saudi Infrastructure Exhibition on Sept. 11-13 in Riyadh.

The summit will focus on the revolutionary transformation of the infrastructure in the Kingdom with the participation of more than 60 influential speakers and 400 international and local experts.



Saudi Arabia Ranks 4th Globally in Digital Services

The headquarters of the Digital Government Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The headquarters of the Digital Government Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Ranks 4th Globally in Digital Services

The headquarters of the Digital Government Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The headquarters of the Digital Government Authority (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia has excelled in the United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI) and its related sub-indices, rising 25 positions in 2024 to join the ranks of leading nations globally.

The Kingdom now ranks fourth worldwide, first regionally, and second among G20 countries in the Digital Services Index. It also secured sixth place in the overall E-Government Development Index, seventh in the E-Participation Index, while Riyadh placed third in the Local E-Services Index, behind Tallinn and Madrid, out of 193 cities globally.

This achievement reflects the government’s extensive efforts and digital reforms under the Vision 2030 initiative, particularly through its Digital Transformation Program and various e-government projects. The private sector also contributed to this progress, as enhanced digital services and infrastructure boosted investor confidence and encouraged investment.

Saudi Arabia’s rise of 25 places marks the first time a Middle Eastern country has entered the global top 10 in the E-Government Index. In 2022, the Kingdom had already advanced 12 places, supported by e-government initiatives. Now, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Singapore are the only Asian countries in the top 10.

Additionally, the Kingdom ranked second globally in digital government services among G20 nations, first in the Middle East, and second in Asia. It also made substantial leaps in other areas, climbing 53 spots in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index and 31 in the Human Capital Index.

The United Nations highlighted Saudi Arabia’s remarkable progress in the E-Services Index, where it jumped 67 places to rank fourth globally. Government digital regulations and the availability of open government data both reached 100%, while the Kingdom advanced 60 places in e-participation and consultations with citizens and businesses.

The Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Al-Swaha, expressed his gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for their unwavering support of the digital sector and government transformation efforts. He credited this backing for Saudi Arabia's historic rise in global digital rankings, reflecting the goals of Vision 2030 and strengthening the country's role as a leader in the regional and global digital economy.

Governor of the Digital Government Authority Ahmed Al-Suwayan highlighted that the Kingdom’s progress in the UN E-Government Development Index is a direct result of leadership support. He emphasized that reforms and investments under Vision 2030 have enhanced cooperation between government entities, leading to the adoption of emerging technologies and the launch of key digital initiatives.