Saudi Arabia to Adopt Independent Policy in Digital Economy

Part of the conclusion of MEFTECH Conference on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Part of the conclusion of MEFTECH Conference on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Arabia to Adopt Independent Policy in Digital Economy

Part of the conclusion of MEFTECH Conference on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Part of the conclusion of MEFTECH Conference on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, in Riyadh (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia is planning to adopt key laws and principles on technical and digital developments related to the economy.

On Wednesday, the Kingdom announced preparing a legislative draft for developments in the digital economy.

This plan indicates the government’s serious transition to progressive levels from the traditional economy to the challenges of the modern economy.

The National Digital Transformation Unit called Wednesday on all concerned parties and individuals, including the private sector and non-profit organizations to provide visuals on the draft of the digital economy policy.

It also demanded all relevant data, analysis and comparative studies that support their visuals to be submitted no later than March 22.

The proposed draft aims at developing the Kingdom’s digital economy, informing the public and private sectors and the international community of its trends in all what is related to the digital economy and ensuring that the government agencies’ directions in this regard are integrated to achieve diversified and sustainable economic growth and create competitive advantages.

The Digital Transformation Unit was emanated from the National Digital Transformation Committee (NDCT), which was established by the royal decree in July 2017.

It specializes in developing digital transformation policies with the increasing significance of the economy resulting from the rapid development in modern technologies.

This has had a prominent impact on all aspects of life for individuals and societies as traditional economic processes and activities have transformed into digital economic processes.

The draft’s main principles focus on infrastructure, technology, innovation, human resources, social prosperity, digital trust, and market openness.



Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
TT

Kuwait Includes 8 Lebanese Hospitals on 'Terror' List

Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA
Kuwait indicated that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.” KUNA

Kuwait's foreign ministry issued on Sunday a circular indicating that it had listed eight hospitals in Lebanon as part of regulations related to "combating terrorism.”

Lebanon's health ministry expressed surprise and said it would seek clarification.

It said it received the Kuwaiti statement "with great surprise", adding it had not been provided with "any information or notification from any Kuwaiti entity about this matter.”

"The hospitals mentioned in the statement are registered with the syndicate of private hospitals in Lebanon and carry out their role in providing treatment and health services to all Lebanese without exception," the ministry statement said.

It called the facilities "an essential part of the Lebanese health system,” and said it would contact the relevant authorities to request clarification and "protect Lebanon's health system.”

It noted that "Kuwait has numerous joint projects with the ministry... and has been among the most prominent countries that have stood by the health system during the successive crises that Lebanon has faced.”

The latest move was "unprecedented and inconsistent" with the Gulf country's usual approach, it added.


Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
TT

Saudi and Guatemalan FMs Discuss Bilateral Ties

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart in Riyadh. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martínez in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed developments of mutual interest.


Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
TT

Faisal bin Farhan, Barrack Discuss Developments in Syria

The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)
The Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince met on Sunday with the US Special Envoy for Syria in Riyadh.(SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Sunday with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed developments in Syria.