Saudi Arabia Adopts New System To Enhance Cyber Security

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology held a number of meetings on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology held a number of meetings on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Adopts New System To Enhance Cyber Security

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology held a number of meetings on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology held a number of meetings on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. (SPA)

The Saudi Council of Ministers has recently approved the information and communications technology (ICT) system, with the aim to develop the sector and raise the efficiency of its services.

According to the new system, service providers should take full care to ensure the protection of cyber security and critical infrastructure in the country, according to the requirements of the competent authorities.

The system aims to develop the ICT sector, to raise the efficiency of its services and develop its infrastructure, as well as to encourage digital transformation and the use of communications and information technology it in all fields.

The objectives of the system also include encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship, research and technical progress within the sector, develop subsidiary activities and emerging technologies, and promote new services, in addition to providing an attractive environment for investments in priority areas, and raising the efficiency of national companies.

Eng. Abdullah Al-Sawaha, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, has recently met with his counterparts from Rwanda and Finland, with the aim to strengthen the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and friendly countries, and discuss means to support mechanisms of joint cooperation in the fields of technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and building digital capabilities.

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Al-Sawaha also held meetings with a number of heads of major IT companies to discuss available investment opportunities. Those included Tech Mahindra CEO Chander Prakash Gurnani, Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal and Alibaba Group Chairman John Michael Evans.



EU to Keep US Trade Countermeasures on Hold Until August

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (not pictured) at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, 13 July 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (not pictured) at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, 13 July 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS
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EU to Keep US Trade Countermeasures on Hold Until August

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (not pictured) at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, 13 July 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (not pictured) at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, 13 July 2025. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS

The EU will extend its suspension of countermeasures to US tariffs until early August as it aims for a negotiated solution on trade with the United States, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday.

US President Donald Trump escalated his global trade war on Saturday and threatened to impose a 30% tariff on imports from the European Union from Aug. 1, separate from sector-specific duties, despite months of intense talks.

Announcing the extension of the halt on retaliatory measures, von der Leyen told reporters the bloc would "continue to prepare further countermeasures so we are fully prepared."

A first package of countermeasures to US tariffs on steel and aluminium that would hit 21 billion euros ($24.6 billion) in US goods was suspended in April for 90 days to allow time for negotiations.

The suspension had been due to expire on Monday.

A second package has been in the works since May and would target 72 billion euros of US goods, but these measures have not yet been made public and the final list requires approval by member states.

Von der Leyen added that use of the EU's Anti-Coercion Instrument was not yet on the table.

"The (anti-coercion) instrument is created for extraordinary situations, we are not there yet," Reuters quoted her as saying.

The instrument allows the bloc to retaliate against third countries that put economic pressure on EU members to change their policies.

Possible retaliatory steps could include restricting EU market access to goods and services, and other economic measures related to areas including foreign direct investment, financial markets and export controls.