Saudi Arabia’s Digital Experience Maturity Index Rise to 85%

The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia’s Digital Experience Maturity Index Rise to 85%

The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi capital, Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Digital Government Authority (DGA) announced the results of the Digital Experience Maturity Index 2024, where the index achieved a rate of (85.04%) at an “advanced” level. The Index included the evaluation of 39 digital platforms according to four main perspectives, which include 20 themes.
The perspectives included measuring beneficiary satisfaction by involving over 175,000 beneficiaries in assessing their digital experience. This also encompassed evaluating user experience, the mechanisms for handling complaints on digital platforms, and the technologies and tools that support these platforms.
Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, the Governor of the Digital Government Authority, explained that the Digital Experience Maturity Index aims to enhance beneficiary satisfaction, improve digital experiences, and strengthen engagement in alignment with international standards and best practices. The index also meets the strategic directions of the digital government, by supporting the achievement of its goals, improving the Kingdom’s standing in global indicators, and accelerating the pace of digital transformation.
He emphasized that the continuous rise in the index results reflects the significant efforts of government agencies in developing their digital platforms and services. Their ongoing contributions are instrumental in improving the quality of life, facilitating business operations, enhancing competitiveness, and increasing the efficiency of government functions, he stated.

The index increased by 4.36 percent compared to the previous cycle, and 39 platforms were included in the current year, compared to 24 platforms in 2023. More than 175,000 respondents participated in evaluating the platforms for this cycle, exceeding the number of participants in the previous cycle, which reached 134,000.

 

 

 



Oil Prices Slide as Tepid Chinese Demand Counters US Output Concerns

This photoraph shows an oil well in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on July 23, 2024. (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV / AFP)
This photoraph shows an oil well in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on July 23, 2024. (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV / AFP)
TT

Oil Prices Slide as Tepid Chinese Demand Counters US Output Concerns

This photoraph shows an oil well in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on July 23, 2024. (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV / AFP)
This photoraph shows an oil well in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku on July 23, 2024. (Photo by VANO SHLAMOV / AFP)

Oil prices edged lower on Tuesday, as fears of weaker demand in China weighed on market sentiment, while focus turned to the US Federal Reserve's policy meeting that concludes on Wednesday.

Providing a floor to prices were prospects of lower US crude stockpiles and concerns over US production in the aftermath of Hurricane Francine.

Brent crude futures for November were down 48 cents, or 0.66% to $72.27 a barrel, as of 1002 GMT. US crude futures for October slipped 37 cents, or 0.53%, to $69.72 a barrel, Reuters reported.

"Oil prices have been in recovery mode since Wednesday, perhaps on supply concerns after Hurricane Francine in the US Gulf of Mexico, as well as expectations of lower US crude stockpiles," said Charalampos Pissouros, senior investment analyst at brokerage XM.

"That said, prices are pulling back today, perhaps as participants considered the aforementioned developments as temporary variables in the oil equation, remaining worried about weakening global demand, especially in China."

In China, oil refinery output fell for a fifth month in August amid declining fuel demand and weak export margins, government data showed on Saturday.

Both contracts settled higher in the previous session as output remained constrained. More than 12% of crude production and 16% of natural gas output in the US Gulf of Mexico remained offline due to Hurricane Francine, according to the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) on Monday.

The Fed is expected to start its easing cycle on Wednesday, with Fed funds futures showing markets are now pricing in a 69% chance that the US central bank will cut rates by 50 basis points.

"The Fed is expected to lower interest rates for the first time in more than four years this week ... but recent weak economic data and hawkish comments by members of the Fed have led investors to believe the move could be more aggressive," Panmure Liberum analyst Ashley Kelty said.

A lower interest rate will reduce the cost of borrowing and can potentially lift oil demand by supporting economic growth.
Investors were also watching out for an expected drop in US crude inventories, which likely fell by about 200,000 barrels in the week ended Sept. 13, based on a Reuters poll.