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.



Saudi Arabia Approves 2025 Budget with Total Deficit of $26.9 bln

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Approves 2025 Budget with Total Deficit of $26.9 bln

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday approved the country's budget for 2025, state media reported, with a planned deficit of 101 billion riyals ($26.88 billion).

The budget set spending at 1.285 trillion riyals in 2025 and total revenues at 1.184 trillion riyals. ($1 = 3.7568 riyals)

The Crown Prince also directed ministers and officials to commit, each in his capacity, to implementing the programs, strategies, and development and social projects included in the budget, consistent with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.