Digital Technology Forum Discusses Role of Local Content in Saudi Tech Sector

The Digital Technology Forum will feature nine dialogue sessions and presentations by 25 specialized speakers, who will discuss enabling local technology products and Blockchain technology. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Digital Technology Forum will feature nine dialogue sessions and presentations by 25 specialized speakers, who will discuss enabling local technology products and Blockchain technology. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Digital Technology Forum Discusses Role of Local Content in Saudi Tech Sector

The Digital Technology Forum will feature nine dialogue sessions and presentations by 25 specialized speakers, who will discuss enabling local technology products and Blockchain technology. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Digital Technology Forum will feature nine dialogue sessions and presentations by 25 specialized speakers, who will discuss enabling local technology products and Blockchain technology. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) is holding this Sunday the Digital Technology Forum 2022, under the title, “Enabling Local Technology Products”, with a focus on Blockchain technology.

Held under the patronage of Eng. Abdullah Al-Sawaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CITC, the forum extends over two days and is being held in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Exports Development Authority, the Content and Government Procurement Authority, and with the participation of a number of officials and local and international experts.

The forum will feature nine dialogue sessions and presentations by 25 specialized speakers, who will discuss enabling local technology products and Blockchain technology.

The speakers include Haitham Al-Ohali, Saudi Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Osama Al-Zamil, Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Dr. Muhammad Al-Tamimi, Governor of the Communications and Information Technology Commission, and Eng. Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, Governor of the Digital Government Authority.

The event will also be attended by Sherif El-Malt, Public Sector Leader in Europe, Middle East and Africa at Oracle, Anthony Butler, Chief Technology Officer at IBM, Tobias Bauer, Principal at the Blockchain Founders Fund, and Anthony Day, founder of Blockchain Podcast.

The forum will also witness the launch of a number of businesses and initiatives, and an exhibition displaying more than 35 local technology and Blockchain products by more than 30 Saudi companies.

The forum will start with an inaugural presentation, followed by a session dedicated to government’s role in developing and supporting the local technical product, with the participation of a number of Saudi ministers.

The first day will also feature multiple presentations on the “Local Tech Product: A Promising Future,” while another session will review programs on enabling local content, with a presentation on the future directions of technologies and entrepreneurial opportunities.

The second day will witness a main presentation entitled, “Blockchain - Between Promises and Reality”, followed by a dialogue session on “Harnessing the Power of the Blockchain for Digital Government.”



Türkiye Works to Halt Circulation of Fake US Dollars

FILE PHOTO: A money changer counts US dollar bills, with Turkish lira banknotes in the background, at an currency exchange office in central Istanbul, Türkiye, August 21, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A money changer counts US dollar bills, with Turkish lira banknotes in the background, at an currency exchange office in central Istanbul, Türkiye, August 21, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo
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Türkiye Works to Halt Circulation of Fake US Dollars

FILE PHOTO: A money changer counts US dollar bills, with Turkish lira banknotes in the background, at an currency exchange office in central Istanbul, Türkiye, August 21, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A money changer counts US dollar bills, with Turkish lira banknotes in the background, at an currency exchange office in central Istanbul, Türkiye, August 21, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo

Turkish authorities were checking currency exchanges and cash dispenser machines on Thursday to help avert any damage from the circulation of counterfeit US dollars, which has prompted a number of banks to stop accepting some of the bills.
The central bank said it was working with judicial authorities to address the counterfeiting issue and had shared a report and guidance with lenders after having examined the fake US banknotes, Reuters reported.
Though it was unclear how much counterfeit currency was in circulation across the country, several banking sources said that several foreign exchange offices and banks were no longer accepting some US dollars.
A source with knowledge of the matter said there were no related problems with the financial system.
Several banking sources have said some $50 bills and $100 bills are suspected of being counterfeit and are not currently detected by money-counting machines.
The Turkish Banking Association said these machines as well as cash dispenser machines, or ATMs, were being checked and updated to halt any further circulation of counterfeit bills.
The source said a planned rapid system-wide update to money-counting machines would make detection possible.
Separately, a prosecutor's office in Istanbul launched an investigation into the issue, broadcaster NTV reported.