Saudi Arabia Strengthens Partnerships in Innovation, Technology with G20

Saudi Arabia seeks to activate global partnerships in digital and space economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia seeks to activate global partnerships in digital and space economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Strengthens Partnerships in Innovation, Technology with G20

Saudi Arabia seeks to activate global partnerships in digital and space economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia seeks to activate global partnerships in digital and space economies (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia is seeking to advance its partnership in the field of innovation and technical and digital transformation with a number of G20 countries.

Following discussions on cooperation opportunities with Britain and France, the Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha, held in the Italian city of Trieste on Thursday, a series of meetings with the ministers of Italy, Japan, Germany Singapore and South Africa, to enhance partnership in the fields of technology, innovation and space.

Saudi Arabia has strengthened its position as a global leader in the digital economy, innovation and future markets. In his speech during his participation in the meeting of the Ministers of Digital Economy of the G20, Al-Swaha emphasized the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom to protect the planet through the green Saudi initiatives and the green Middle East.

He pointed to NEOM - the largest global platform for innovators and creators - noting that it was a vivid example of harmonizing regulation and innovation to achieve the welfare of societies and preserve the environment.

He also said that bridging the digital gap globally was the way to achieve inclusiveness and prosperity of societies.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Al-Swaha met with the Italian Minister of Economic Development and Innovation, Giancarlo Giorgetti, with whom he discussed strengthening cooperation in communications, information technology and space.

He also met with Peter Altmaier, the German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, and reviewed efforts made by the Kingdom to accelerate the process of digital transformation, stimulate entrepreneurship, and support the research, development and innovation system.

In the same context, Al-Swaha held extensive discussions with the Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Takeda Ryota, and his counterparts from Singapore and South Africa.



Syria Meeting Focused on Need for Credible Economic Data, IMF Chief Says

International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Kristalina Georgieva, speaks during a Press Briefing on "International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC)" during the IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings at the IMF headquarters in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2025. (AFP)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Kristalina Georgieva, speaks during a Press Briefing on "International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC)" during the IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings at the IMF headquarters in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2025. (AFP)
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Syria Meeting Focused on Need for Credible Economic Data, IMF Chief Says

International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Kristalina Georgieva, speaks during a Press Briefing on "International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC)" during the IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings at the IMF headquarters in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2025. (AFP)
International Monetary Fund (IMF) managing director Kristalina Georgieva, speaks during a Press Briefing on "International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC)" during the IMF/World Bank Group Spring Meetings at the IMF headquarters in Washington, DC, on April 25, 2025. (AFP)

Officials from the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and key countries met with Syrian authorities this week on efforts to rebuild the war-torn country, emphasizing the need for credible data, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Friday.

Georgieva said rebuilding Syria's central bank and expanding the country's capacity to generate revenue were other key issues addressed during the meeting that took place during the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank.

Saudi Arabia's Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan, who chairs the International Monetary and Financial Committee, said he was grateful to the IMF and World Bank for stepping up support for Syria, noting others including Yemen, Palestine and Lebanon would also need help.