Saudi Tripartite Agreement to Encourage Tourism Investment

Visitors at Qasr al-Farid tomb at the Madain Saleh antiquities site in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
Visitors at Qasr al-Farid tomb at the Madain Saleh antiquities site in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
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Saudi Tripartite Agreement to Encourage Tourism Investment

Visitors at Qasr al-Farid tomb at the Madain Saleh antiquities site in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)
Visitors at Qasr al-Farid tomb at the Madain Saleh antiquities site in Al-Ula, Saudi Arabia (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministries of Tourism and Environment and the Tourism Development Fund signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and encourage investment in the tourism sector in the Kingdom in line with the objectives of the national tourism strategy to contribute to achieving the goals of Vision 2030.

The agreement included a set of objectives, including enhancing cooperation to support and develop the tourism sector in the Kingdom, finding a mechanism for joint coordination, and facilitating procedures regarding tourism projects and activities that fall under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture.

It also aims to raise the readiness of tourist destinations and overcome obstacles to tourism development and other related businesses as one of the tributaries of the national economy.

The agreement included cooperation in marketing to create tourist experiences, attract tourism investments, evaluate tourism opportunities and projects, and define the most appropriate type of investment per the necessary standards and guarantees.

Under the agreement, the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture will train and qualify employees working in tourist sites through workshops and courses.

They also seek to exchange experiences in the field of control and inspection of tourist accommodation facilities.

Authorities agreed to develop several tourist sites by identifying their needs and requirements to prepare their development plans. They also want to encourage the private sector and attract investors by creating a mechanism to utilize the specified sites.

The Saudi government approved the decision allowing the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture to lease the lands it regularly supervises and wants to invest per the rules and regulations in tourism and development projects.



Dell Drives Digital Transformation in Saudi Arabia Through 3 Decades of Innovation

Dell logos are seen at its headquarters in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur in this September 4, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files Purchase Licensing Rights
Dell logos are seen at its headquarters in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur in this September 4, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files Purchase Licensing Rights
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Dell Drives Digital Transformation in Saudi Arabia Through 3 Decades of Innovation

Dell logos are seen at its headquarters in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur in this September 4, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files Purchase Licensing Rights
Dell logos are seen at its headquarters in Cyberjaya, outside Kuala Lumpur in this September 4, 2013 file photo. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad/Files Purchase Licensing Rights

Saudi Arabia is leading the charge in digital transformation, with Dell playing a key role in the Kingdom’s technological growth over the past three decades.

The partnership between Dell and Saudi Arabia dates back to the early 1990s, and in the past 34 years, Dell has become a cornerstone of the kingdom’s digital infrastructure.

Adrian McDonald, President of Dell Technologies for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, reflected on the deepening of this relationship, highlighting Dell’s integration into Saudi society.

The company has been instrumental in supporting local businesses, government projects, and education initiatives, particularly by offering IT training programs in collaboration with leading universities and facilitating exchange programs that bring Saudi youth to the US for advanced training.

Dell aims to localize as many of these tech skills as possible, recognizing the growing demand for technology expertise in the future.

The launch of Saudi Vision 2030 has created a fertile environment for technological innovation.

McDonald revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Dell has expanded its operations over the past 18 months, including the establishment of its first integration and logistics center in Dammam, which handles up to 600,000 units annually to meet increasing customer demand.

The Dammam center also houses a secondary manufacturing plant to customize Dell servers to meet specific needs.

The facility prepares servers for deployment, reducing lead times and improving customer satisfaction. Additionally, Dell has moved its flat-panel display center to the Dammam facility, allowing for faster delivery times, which enhances operational efficiency.

This new center is part of Dell’s commitment to strengthening Saudi Arabia’s information and communications technology ecosystem and is the company’s fifth such facility in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region, reinforcing its support for Vision 2030.

As Saudi Arabia positions itself as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI), Dell plays a critical role in this transformation.

McDonald highlighted the rapid changes in the AI sector, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s goal to become a global leader in AI.

Dell’s investments are not just aimed at supporting local businesses but also at helping position Saudi Arabia as a global center for AI development.

Dell’s AI-powered solutions are transforming various industries, from finance to healthcare, where they are reshaping processes and driving innovation.

Looking forward, McDonald is optimistic about Saudi Arabia’s potential to become a regional and global hub for AI services.

He pointed out that the kingdom has taken a leadership role in building platforms for growth, with the resources and ambition to drive transformative change in the coming years.