Saudi Agencies Sign Framework Agreement for Cloud Computing

Aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: AP)
Aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: AP)
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Saudi Agencies Sign Framework Agreement for Cloud Computing

Aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: AP)
Aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: AP)

The Saudi Digital Government Authority (DGA) launched a framework agreement to provide cloud computing services for Saudi government agencies through the "Etimad" platform.

The adoption of the platform provides many services to various government agencies and enhances the partnership with the private sector.

It also helps achieve the development goals of the Kingdom, enables the digital transformation of those services, increases transparency and efficiency, and facilitates providing services.

The framework agreement aims to contribute to the digital transformation in the Kingdom, unify product specifications and standards, increase the contribution of the private sector, and create a competitive environment.

The agreement aims to develop local content, rationalize consumption, raise the efficiency of digital purchases, speed up its procedures, and increase the quality and effectiveness of products.

The agreement includes several cloud computing infrastructure services: random memory, virtual CPU and storage, and backup.

DGA Governor Ahmed al-Suwayan said that the framework agreement supports government digital transformation programs and partnerships with the private sector.

The Authority recently announced the regulatory framework of the digital government policy.

At the ceremony, Suwayan stressed that the government platforms achieved digital excellence and concerted efforts through joint work and integration between various digital media.

He indicated that this step supports the regulation and governance of digital services business and improves beneficiaries' experience through a system of digital government services. It also contributes to integration between government agencies and strengthens cooperation.

The Governor announced that digital government policy enables and accelerates the sustainable digital transformation of the public sector in the medium and long term.

The policy aims to create a comprehensive government system that focuses on the beneficiaries, including citizens, residents, and visitors, and facilitate the digital transformation of the public sector by enhancing its capabilities.

The "Governance Digital Platform... Orientation and Impact" session was held during the ceremony to discuss the government's approach, perspectives, and platforms.

The Governor handed over the platforms' registration certificates to the entities that responded to the Authority's circular, including Absher, Etimad, Ejar, Balady, Tawakkalna, Sakani, Sehaty, Qiwa, Madrasati, and Najiz.

The Authority is the national reference and competent entity for digital governance in the Kingdom.

It aims to direct national efforts to harmonize government procedures, achieve optimal investment for existing assets, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the experience of government beneficiaries and digital service providers.



Riyadh and Tokyo to Launch Coordination Framework to Boost Cooperation

Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Riyadh and Tokyo to Launch Coordination Framework to Boost Cooperation

Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia and Japan are close to unveiling a higher partnership council that will be headed by the countries’ leaderships in line with efforts to build a partnership that bolsters the technical transformation and joint research in clean energy, communications and other areas, revealed Saudi Ambassador to Japan Dr. Ghazi Binzagr.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the two countries will soon open a new chapter in their sophisticated strategic partnership.

The new council will be chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba to push forward the Saudi-Japan Vision 2030, he added.

The council will elevate cooperation between the countries and pave the way for broader dialogue and consultations in various fields to bolster political, defense, economic, cultural and sports cooperation, he explained.

The two parties will work on critical technological partnerships that will focus on assessing and developing technologies to benefit from them, Binzagr said. They will also focus on the economy these technologies can create and in turn, the new jobs they will generate.

These jobs can be inside Saudi Arabia or abroad and provide employers with the opportunity to develop the sectors they are specialized in, he added.

Binzagr said Saudi Arabia and Japan will mark 70s years of relations in 2025, coinciding with the launch of Expo 2025 in Osaka in which the Kingdom will have a major presence.

Relations have been based on energy security and trade exchange with Japan’s need for oil. Now, according to Saudi Vision 2030, they can be based on renewable energy and the post-oil phase, remarked the ambassador.

Several opportunities are available in both countries in the cultural, sports and technical fields, he noted.

Both sides agree that improving clean energy and a sustainable environment cannot take place at the expense of a strong economy or quality of life, but through partnership between their countries to influence the global economy, he explained.

"For the next phase, we are keen on consolidating the concept of sustainable partnerships between the two countries in various fields so that this partnership can last for generations,” Binzagr stressed.

“I believe these old partnerships will last for decades and centuries to come,” he remarked.

Moreover, he noted that the oil sector was the cornerstone of the partnership and it will now shift to petrochemicals and the development of the petrochemical industry.