Saudi Arabia Continues to Search for Cooperation Opportunities in Digital Economy, Space

Saudi and French officials meet in Paris to discuss cooperation opportunities in digital economy. Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi and French officials meet in Paris to discuss cooperation opportunities in digital economy. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Arabia Continues to Search for Cooperation Opportunities in Digital Economy, Space

Saudi and French officials meet in Paris to discuss cooperation opportunities in digital economy. Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi and French officials meet in Paris to discuss cooperation opportunities in digital economy. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi officials have held a series of meetings in search for cooperation opportunities in digital economy, space and innovation.

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha, met on Monday in Paris with the French ambassador for Digital Affairs, Henri Verdier, in the presence of the Chief Executive Officer-designate of the Saudi Space Commission, Dr. Muhammad Al-Tamimi, and the designated President of King Abdulaziz City for Technical Sciences, Dr. Munir Al-Desouki.

Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between the Kingdom and France on technical and digital transformation, space and innovation.

The meeting also discussed stimulating the growth of the digital economy and the innovation system and accelerating the adoption of modern technologies in the Middle East and North Africa region by relying on the digital and logistical platform provided by the Kingdom as a hub for connecting continents.

In May, Saudi Arabia announced its willingness to search for investment opportunities in the space industry. Al-Swaha, who was newly appointed at the time, stressed that the priority of the commission was to start working on its strategy according to solid and scientific foundations, in coordination with the Council of Economic and Development Affairs.

“The objectives of the strategy will be based on the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in the space sector, which emphasizes the importance and vitality of this field, with the aim of taking advantage of the promising opportunities in the space industry to build a knowledge economy based on the latest technologies and innovations,” he said.



Saudi Arabia, US Commit to Deeper Economic Ties with Energy, Industry Deals as Trump Visits Riyadh

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump speak during a meeting at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump speak during a meeting at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP)
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Saudi Arabia, US Commit to Deeper Economic Ties with Energy, Industry Deals as Trump Visits Riyadh

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump speak during a meeting at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP)
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump speak during a meeting at the Royal Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (AP)

Saudi Arabia and the United States signed on Tuesday energy and industry agreements as President Donald Trump visited Riyadh where he was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

“The United States and Saudi Arabia share a commitment to deeper economic integration, underscoring the Kingdom’s pledge of expanding cooperation in critical sectors such as health, energy, and science,” said White House in announcing the agreements.

The US Department of Energy and Saudi Ministry of Energy concluded an agreement for cooperation in the field of energy exchanged by Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.

“This agreement builds upon their strong existing relationship; it will focus collaboration on examining the potential for innovation, development, financing, and deployment of energy infrastructure,” said the statement.

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and US Department of Energy signed a Memorandum of Cooperation to collaborate on mining and mineral resources. “The agreement contributes to economic development and the diversification and resilience of critical mineral supply chains,” added the statement.

NASA and the Saudi Space Agency signed an agreement for a CubeSat to fly on NASA’s Artemis II test flight. Saudi Arabia’s CubeSat will measure aspects of space weather at a range of distances from Earth and deploy in high Earth orbit from a spacecraft adapter on the Space Launch System rocket after the Orion spacecraft is safely flying on its own with its crew of four astronauts.

The US and Saudi Arabia recently agreed to modernize the Air Transport Agreement to allow US airlines to carry cargo between Saudi Arabia and third countries without needing to stop in the United States, an important right for cargo hub operations. Saudi carriers will have the same rights to serve the United States.

Trump had arrived in the Kingdom earlier on Tuesday on his first overseas trip since his reelection. He will next visit the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

Saudi Arabia and the United States also signed the largest defense sales agreement in history, worth nearly early $142 billion.