Saudi Arabia to Launch LEAP Conference on Tuesday

A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)
A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)
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Saudi Arabia to Launch LEAP Conference on Tuesday

A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)
A general view of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Getty Images)

LEAP, the global technology platform, will kick off in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday with the participation of more than 350 speakers from 80 countries and 700 innovators and start-ups from around the world.

Saudi Arabia will host the LEAP conference to address future challenges by consolidating its digital regional and global leadership.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming, and Drones will organize the event.

The conference is in line with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's drive to seize opportunities in the digital economy and enhance the Kingdom's global leadership as the regional hub for technology, innovation, and digital entrepreneurship.

Many major international companies announced their intention to participate in the LEAP conference to review the latest technologies in several technical fields that contribute to achieving Saudi digital leadership.

VMware will showcase its newest innovations in multi-cloud, application modernization, digital workspace, and security at LEAP.

It will offer solutions that enable organizations to thrive in the face of current challenges by embracing a multi-cloud approach that provides the flexibility to deploy modern applications and empower a secure, distributed workforce while retaining ownership and control over their data.

It will also highlight how it protects clients with a "zero trust" approach to security, end-to-end solutions, and new endpoint management capabilities utilizing a single agent and console, allowing companies to operate more quickly and effectively.

Logitech will demonstrate a range of high-quality video collaboration solutions at its pavilion in LEAP.

It will showcase its technology and how video collaboration solutions can support hybrid working models and transform industries, such as education and healthcare, while increasing customer and employee satisfaction and assisting organizations in fostering workplace diversity.

Meanwhile, a YouGov survey conducted by SAP Software Solutions revealed that nearly 92 percent of Saudi Arabia's government IT decision-makers agree that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the Kingdom's digital transformation over the past year.

In terms of the top priority areas for Saudi government organizations' digital investment in 2022 and beyond, 67 percent said human capital management, 61 percent said enterprise resource planning, 56 percent said core solutions, and 41 percent said customer experience.

Many of the Kingdom's government and public sector organizations are at the forefront of implementing new solutions as emerging technologies grow and mature.

Saudi Arabia will host LEAP between Feb. 1 and 3 to address future challenges such as healthcare technologies to improve the quality of life and increase life expectancy, empowering humans through robots and technologies.

It will review the most prominent technologies in the education sector, the creative economy, and showcase technologies that enhance the well-being of communities.

It will address future energy technologies that will enhance the region's leadership in the oil and gas sectors and the impact of technology on the development of energy sources.

Saudi Arabia will address future challenges by consolidating its digital regional and global leadership.

Held under the theme "One Eye on the Stars," LEAP seeks to discuss the most prominent social and cultural challenges facing the world through modern technologies, which have the potential to reshape the way people live and find appropriate and innovative solutions for them.



Al-Khorayef Invites Chinese Companies to Invest in Saudi Industries

The Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources invited Chinese companies to invest in promising industrial sectors in Saudi Arabia. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources invited Chinese companies to invest in promising industrial sectors in Saudi Arabia. SPA
TT

Al-Khorayef Invites Chinese Companies to Invest in Saudi Industries

The Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources invited Chinese companies to invest in promising industrial sectors in Saudi Arabia. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources invited Chinese companies to invest in promising industrial sectors in Saudi Arabia. SPA

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef invited Chinese companies to invest in promising industrial sectors highlighted by the National Industrial Strategy.

Such sectors include the automotive, food, pharmaceutical, and aviation industries. He extended this invitation during a roundtable meeting organized by the Federation of Chambers of Commerce in Guangzhou as part of his visit to China.

Al-Khorayef provided an overview of the capabilities, incentives, and services that the Kingdom offers to industrial investors. These include developed industrial lands, industrial financing, workforce training, and incentives for specific target industries. Additionally, the country gives preference to local products in government purchases.
"We are looking for companies that can help us boost investment in key industrial sectors that are essential for the Kingdom. These include automotive, aviation, food, pharmaceutical, machinery, equipment, and renewable energy industries. We also aim to develop supply chains for buses, trucks, and light-duty vehicles, as the demand for these is expected to rise in the upcoming years,” the minister said.

He praised the strong relationship between the Kingdom and China and affirmed Saudi Arabia’s desire to enhance its economic partnership with China, particularly in the industrial and mining sectors, as part of its efforts to diversify the economy.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Industry and Mineral Resources Assistant Minister for Planning and Development Dr. Abdullah Al-Ahmari, National Industrial Development Center (NIDC) Chief Executive Eng. Saleh Al-Sulami, and Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON) Chief Executive Eng. Majid Al-Argoubi.