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Tencent Deepens Digital Footprint in Saudi Arabia to Support Smart Transformation

Dowson Tong, Senior Executive Vice President of Tencent and CEO of the Cloud and Smart Industries Group. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dowson Tong, Senior Executive Vice President of Tencent and CEO of the Cloud and Smart Industries Group. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Tencent Deepens Digital Footprint in Saudi Arabia to Support Smart Transformation

Dowson Tong, Senior Executive Vice President of Tencent and CEO of the Cloud and Smart Industries Group. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Dowson Tong, Senior Executive Vice President of Tencent and CEO of the Cloud and Smart Industries Group. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

As China races to expand its global digital presence, technology giant Tencent is stepping up its investments in Saudi Arabia with major cloud projects that align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 digital transformation agenda.

The company’s strategy was outlined during exclusive interviews with Asharq Al-Awsat, the first Arab media outlet to visit Tencent’s global headquarters in Shenzhen.

Founded in 1998, Tencent Holdings is one of the world’s largest internet and technology companies, operating across three main sectors: value-added services, marketing, and financial and business solutions. Listed on Hong Kong’s main exchange since 2004, the firm has grown into a global powerhouse.

In the second quarter of 2025, Tencent reported revenues of 184.5 billion yuan ($25.6 billion), compared with 161.1 billion yuan ($22.4 billion) a year earlier. Net profit rose 16 percent year-on-year to 56 billion yuan ($7.8 billion), boosted by strong gaming revenues and improvements to its AI-driven advertising platform.

Dowson Tong, Senior Executive Vice President of Tencent and CEO of the Cloud and Smart Industries Group, confirmed that the company is in the final stages of launching a new data center in Riyadh, which he described as a “significant growth opportunity.”

“We are already supporting many Chinese companies expanding in the Kingdom, and several of our partners are preparing to use the new facility,” Tong said. “This will enable us to grow not just in Saudi Arabia but across the wider Middle East.”

Tong added that the project reflects Tencent’s strategy of expanding internet coverage and delivering services closer to users. He emphasized that the Middle East is one of the fastest-growing digital markets globally and that Tencent is committed to long-term investment in the region.

For now, the company’s Saudi operations are focused on serving Chinese enterprises active in the Kingdom. However, licensing and regulatory approvals are under way to allow Tencent to extend cloud services to the public sector and make its “public cloud” accessible to Saudi businesses.

In February, Tencent announced the launch of its first Middle East cloud region, based in Saudi Arabia, with a $150 million investment in infrastructure and innovation to support Vision 2030. The hub includes two availability zones and a comprehensive suite of cloud computing and AI services, bringing Tencent’s global network to more than 50 availability zones across 21 regions.

According to Dan Hu, Vice President of Tencent Cloud International for the Middle East and North Africa, the Saudi cloud hub is a “strategic cornerstone” of the company’s regional presence.

He said the facility will accelerate digital transformation and enable smart city growth with solutions such as edge computing and AI-powered analytics, which allow real-time data processing in areas like predictive maintenance, urban planning, and smart building management.

Hu stressed that Saudi Arabia serves as Tencent’s gateway to the Middle East, with growing commitments expected across digital media, gaming, e-commerce, tourism, finance, and telecommunications.

He noted that the Middle East has already emerged as Tencent’s fastest-growing market. In 2024, the company recorded double-digit growth in international markets, fueled by strong demand for digital media services.

The launch of the Saudi cloud region is a milestone in the region’s digital transformation journey, Hu said, adding that it reflects confidence in the Kingdom’s ambition to become a global hub for digital solutions.

Tencent is also tailoring its technologies to local needs by building teams on the ground and working with regional system integrators and developers. This ensures flexibility, regulatory compliance, and alignment with business requirements.

Hu noted that the prioritization of AI by governments in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar is strengthening public services, enhancing digital infrastructure, and advancing economic diversification.

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Saudi Food Self-Sufficiency Shields Economy from Hormuz Crisis

Containers are seen at a port in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Containers are seen at a port in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Food Self-Sufficiency Shields Economy from Hormuz Crisis

Containers are seen at a port in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
Containers are seen at a port in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed global energy and food security to the brink. Saudi Arabia responded by positioning itself as a stabilizing force, turning its western coastline into a lifeline that not only protected its domestic market but also helped offset shortages in neighboring countries.

A proactive strategy that raised self-sufficiency in key food products above 100% helped the Kingdom mitigate the fallout from the geopolitical crisis. Backed by efficient logistics and strong local content, Saudi food security has evolved beyond a statistical benchmark into a pillar capable of absorbing global shocks and keeping goods flowing smoothly amid turbulence.

Official data underlines that shift. The General Authority for Statistics’ 2024 food security report showed record increases in self-sufficiency across several plant and animal products compared with 2023, with some exceeding 100%.

The gains were driven by sustained investment in agriculture, stronger domestic supply chains and diversified import sources. Together, they shielded the local market from sharp disruptions, helping stabilize prices and maintain supply, reinforcing food security as a core pillar in managing global crises.

Ports have been central to that effort. Shura Council member Fadel bin Saad Al-Buainain said Saudi Arabia’s strategic location on the Red Sea and the Gulf provides multiple high-efficiency ports supported by integrated logistics that sustain flows of goods and cargo.

He said the Kingdom faced no difficulty meeting demand or exporting goods after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, successfully using Red Sea ports as an alternative route. That ensured uninterrupted flows, avoided shortages or price spikes, and strengthened confidence in government measures to contain the impact of geopolitical tensions.

Saudi efforts extended beyond its borders. Al-Buainain said the Kingdom helped compensate for shortages in Gulf states whose imports were disrupted, using Red Sea ports, expanding storage capacity, activating fast-track transit agreements and linking Gulf ports to move goods, alongside overland transport.

“These are tremendous efforts that went beyond the Kingdom’s borders to reach all Gulf states, reinforcing cooperation and integration and underscoring the importance of the Gulf Cooperation Council,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Strengthening local content has been key. Al-Buainain said the Kingdom achieved significant self-sufficiency, particularly in agriculture, alongside other goods including oil-sector industrial parts, whose local availability helped facilities recover quickly after what he described as Iranian attacks.

Sustained local supply has been central to curbing inflation and stabilizing prices, while strategic reserves of essential goods have served as an effective buffer, enabling the state to absorb shocks and meet market demand without disruption, he stressed.

The availability of imports does not guarantee price stability, as rising costs, particularly in air freight, have driven price increases in markets rather than shortages, he added.

Strategic reserves also help regulate prices, Al-Buainain said, noting the role of the Ministry of Commerce in pricing stockpiles at reasonable levels and preventing exploitation during crises.

Saudi Arabia’s transport and logistics system has leveraged its strategic location to generate economic returns while strengthening national security in its broader sense, including food, medical and commodity security, whether sourced locally or imported through western ports.

Osama bin Ghanem Al-Obaidy, an adviser and professor of commercial law, said the Kingdom’s push to develop agriculture and livestock sectors had driven self-sufficiency rates above 100% in several products, reflecting the strength of local production and its ability to meet both domestic and external demand.

Those efforts helped maintain supply and stabilize prices during the Hormuz crisis, which disrupted shipments and drove up shipping and insurance costs, contributing to a sharp rise in global food prices, particularly wheat and rice, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Al-Obaidi said the crisis strained global supply chains, causing bottlenecks in goods and vital fertilizers as shipping through the strait declined. Saudi western ports, led by Jeddah Islamic Port and Yanbu, have become key logistics hubs, securing domestic supply while serving as vital arteries for neighboring countries.

Data from the statistics authority showed shrimp self-sufficiency at 149%, dairy products at 131% and table eggs at 103%.

Vegetable self-sufficiency also reached high levels, with eggplant at 105%, okra at 102%, cucumbers at 101% and zucchini at 100%. Dates recorded the highest rate among fruits at 121%, followed by figs at 99%.

In livestock, data from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture showed the Kingdom met 61% of its red meat needs locally, with production exceeding 270,000 metric tons. That stability boosted market resilience and its ability to meet rising demand, especially during peak seasons.

In poultry, a key component of the Ramadan food basket, self-sufficiency reached 72%, with production surpassing 1 million metric tons. The surplus not only met local demand but also supported exports, alongside tighter oversight to ensure market stability and protect supply chains from external shocks.

The result has reinforced Saudi Arabia’s position as a global contributor to sustainable food security, backed by an outward investment strategy that includes stakes in major producers such as Brazil’s BRF and Ukraine’s MHP, helping secure supplies at source.

Business

US Renews Russian Oil Waiver for a Month to Curb Global Energy Prices

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP)
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP)
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US Renews Russian Oil Waiver for a Month to Curb Global Energy Prices

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP)
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Washington. (AP)

Washington renewed on Friday a waiver allowing countries to buy sanctioned Russian oil at sea for about a month, even as lawmakers accused the government ‌of going easy on Moscow as its war on Ukraine grinds on.

The Treasury Department's waiver lets countries purchase Russian oil and petroleum products loaded on vessels as of Friday through May 16.

It replaces a 30-day waiver that expired on April 11 and excludes transactions involving Iran, Cuba and North Korea.

Reversal

The move is part of the administration's effort to control global energy prices that have shot higher during the US-Israeli war with Iran.

It came after countries in Asia, suffering from the global energy shock, pressed Washington to allow alternative supplies to reach markets.

“As negotiations (with Iran) accelerate, Treasury wants to ensure oil is available to those ⁠who need it,” a Treasury Department spokesperson said.

Last Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington would not be renewing the waiver for Russian oil and another for Iranian oil, which is set to expire on Sunday.

Global oil prices tumbled 9% on Friday to about $90 a barrel after Iran temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz, an oil choke point in the Gulf. But the war has already created the worst global energy supply disruption in history, the International Energy Agency has said.

The war, which enters its eighth week on Saturday, has damaged more than 80 oil and gas facilities in the Middle East, and Tehran has warned it could close the strait again if the recent US Navy blockade of Iranian ports continued.

High oil prices are a threat to President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans ahead of November's midterm elections.

Trump has also faced pressure from partner countries on the oil price.

A US source told Reuters partner countries on the sidelines of Group of 20, World Bank and International Monetary Fund meetings ‌in Washington ⁠this week had requested the US extend the waiver. Trump also spoke about oil this week in a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, a big purchaser of Russian oil.

The waiver on Iranian oil, which the Treasury Department issued on March 20, allowed about 140 million barrels of oil to reach global markets and helped relieve pressure on energy supply, Bessent said last month.

Lasting damage

US lawmakers from both political parties had slammed the administration over the sanctions waivers, saying they stood to help the economy of Iran while it was at war ⁠with the US and of Russia as it was at war with Ukraine.

The waivers could impede the West's efforts to deprive Russia of revenue for its war in Ukraine and put Washington at odds with its allies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said now is not the time to relax sanctions against Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev ⁠said an extension of the US waiver will affect another 100 million barrels of Russian oil, bringing the total volume affected by both waivers to 200 million barrels.

Dmitriev, who travelled to the US on April 9 for meetings with members of the Trump administration ahead of the previous waiver expiry, said on his Telegram channel that the ⁠extension faced “active political opposition.”

Brett Erickson, a sanctions expert at the consulting firm Obsidian Risk Advisors, said Friday's renewal is likely not the last waiver Washington will issue.

“The conflict has done lasting damage to global energy markets, and the tools available to stabilize them are nearly exhausted,” Erickson said.

Business

Turkmenistan, China Launch Expansion of World’s Second-largest Gas Field

Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Turkmenistan, China Launch Expansion of World’s Second-largest Gas Field

Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
Former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov and Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang applaud during a ceremony launching the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh gas field, the world's second-largest gas field in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometres (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, on April 17, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Turkmenistan and China broke ground Friday on works to expand production at the giant Galkynysh gas field, strengthening Beijing's already dominant position in the secretive Central Asian nation's energy sector.

The former Soviet republic, which holds the world's fourth-largest gas reserves, has exported nearly all its production to China since 2009, when the Central Asia-China pipeline opened.

In the middle of the desert, former president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov -- who effectively runs the country alongside his son, President Serdar Berdymukhamedov -- formally inaugurated the launch of the fourth of seven planned development phases at Galkynysh.

The ceremony was attended by Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, an AFP correspondent saw.

"Turkmen gas is a symbol of happiness -- it is present in every Chinese household," Ding said.

The event featured songs and dances celebrating Turkmen-Chinese friendship, staged with the lavish pomp typical of Turkmenistan's state-sponsored events.

Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, officially titled "Hero-Protector" and vested with sweeping powers, presided over the gathering.

Galkynysh, in the Karakum desert about 400 kilometers (250 miles) east of the capital Ashgabat, has been producing gas since 2013 and is the world's second-largest gas field, according to the British consulting firm GaffneyCline.

Expansion works are being carried out by the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

On a visit to Ashgabat the day before the ceremony, CNPC chairman Dai Houliang said "the friendship between China and Turkmenistan is as deep as the roots of a tree."