HCI Conference: Preparing a Generation for Tech Challenges

The Human Capability Initiative (HCI) conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Human Capability Initiative (HCI) conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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HCI Conference: Preparing a Generation for Tech Challenges

The Human Capability Initiative (HCI) conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Human Capability Initiative (HCI) conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Human Capability Initiative (HCI) conference, held over two days in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, focused on preparing the next generation to tackle modern technologies like artificial intelligence.

Sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the event aimed to find sustainable funding for education and strengthen public-private partnerships.

During the conference, Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih announced licenses for 450 international investors to set up regional headquarters in the Kingdom.

He highlighted a significant increase in international licenses since the launch of Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, “Vision 2030.”

Al-Falih revealed that the number of licenses for international investments in Saudi Arabia has increased from 3,000 at the beginning of the vision to 30,000 business licenses, stressing the Kingdom’s commitment to creating the best conditions for investors to develop skills and learn to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship and to consolidate the growth of the private sector.

Al-Falih also shared plans to double the economy by the end of the decade, with a focus on increasing partnerships with the private sector.

“By the end of this decade, our economy aims to be two and a half times larger than what it was before the beginning of Vision 2030,” said Al-Falih while noting that the private sector’s participation in the economy will jump from 40 % to more than 65 % and the size of the private sector will be four times higher than that of its current size.

He outlined a target of adding over $3 trillion in investments, with a focus on new sectors like digital economy, tourism, finance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

Al-Falih emphasized that these investments will create huge opportunities for skill development.

He pointed out that as new sectors like renewable energy and biotechnology emerge, skill gaps will be filled through training, ensuring the Kingdom has a skilled workforce ready for deployment.

Al-Falih pointed out that Vision 2030 is the most comprehensive transformation in the Kingdom’s history.

“We are transforming and developing our economy into a green economy and enhancing the business environment and our international competitiveness,” said the minister.



Diriyah Company Awards $600 Million Contract to Salini Saudi Arabia for 400 Retail Units

The heart of Diriyah reflecting 300 years of history and heritage (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The heart of Diriyah reflecting 300 years of history and heritage (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Diriyah Company Awards $600 Million Contract to Salini Saudi Arabia for 400 Retail Units

The heart of Diriyah reflecting 300 years of history and heritage (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The heart of Diriyah reflecting 300 years of history and heritage (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Diriyah Company has awarded a major new $600 million contract for construction work on the high-profile Diriyah Square retail precinct to Salini Saudi Arabia, a subsidiary of the Webuild Group.

The square is located at the heart of Diriyah, the City of Earth, within the unique Najdi-inspired architectural Diriyah Masterplan.

It is designed to develop a vibrant retail district featuring a mix of 400 iconic retail, leisure, and dining brands.

The district will emphasize exceptional customer experiences, focusing on pedestrians and offering unparalleled shopping, dining, and living opportunities. Also, the square aims to pioneer the future retail and leisure landscape of the region.

This marks the third major involvement of the Webuild Group in helping to create the unique flagship retail environment in Diriyah.

Salini is already well advanced in constructing a 10,500-space car park beneath Diriyah Square, which will be among the largest in the world.

The car park will include bus stations, dedicated taxi and VIP drop-off areas, and an underground four-lane gyratory connecting the subterranean Masterplan, providing best-in-class vehicle access and customer parking experiences across Diriyah Square.

Salini is also nearing completion of the structural engineering for all above-ground Diriyah Square assets, including the retail spaces, hotels, branded residences, offices, and the Grand Mosque, according to Diriyah Company.

The contract for developing the retail district includes constructing 73 individual buildings and 400 shell-and-core retail units over a built-up area of 365,340 square meters, covering facades, finishes, and fit-outs of the units.

Every building will use traditional Najdi architectural design themes to create a unique pedestrianized retail environment in the heart of Diriyah reflecting 300-years of history and heritage.

Commenting on the latest contract award, Diriyah Company Group CEO Jerry Inzerillo said: “Diriyah Square is one of our most exciting, anticipated, and prestigious districts, and we are extremely pleased to have signed with Salini to deliver it, bringing their immense global experience to the table.”

“It is yet another significant milestone in our development journey and will help set the stage for Diriyah Square’s retail spaces to welcome a diverse array of shoppers from our residential communities, surrounding office spaces, and the millions who visit us every year,” he added.

Webuild CEO Pietro Salini said: “We are proud to contribute to a project of such symbolic and strategic importance to Saudi Arabia.”

“This will further strengthen our presence in the Kingdom and positively impact both the area and the local community,” he stated.

Salini also said: “We are excited about developing this new phase of Diriyah Square, an integral part of an iconic project. The Webuild Group has been present in Saudi Arabia since 1966, delivering more than 90 projects.”

He added that his company will remain committed to supporting the Kingdom in developing some of the world’s most complex infrastructure projects, particularly in areas such as civil buildings, sustainable mobility, and desalination.