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.



Port of NEOM Strengthens Role in Global Supply Chain Connectivity

By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse, and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 - SPA
By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse, and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 - SPA
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Port of NEOM Strengthens Role in Global Supply Chain Connectivity

By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse, and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 - SPA
By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse, and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 - SPA

Port of NEOM has marked a major milestone with the arrival of the first fully automated, remote-controlled Ship-To-Shore (STS) and Electric Rubber-Tyred Gantry (eRTG) cranes in the Kingdom, advancing its goal to become a global hub for smart, sustainable trade, SPA reported.

Strategically located on the Red Sea, Port of NEOM is already serving as a critical gateway on the East-West trade route. The newly arrived state-of-the-art cranes will play a critical role in the port’s automation strategy, unlocking the potential for high-volume, high-efficiency operations.

Development of Port of NEOM continues at a pace ahead of the 2026 opening of Terminal 1, a next-generation container terminal, with recent infrastructure milestones including the completion of a 900-meter quay wall and the deepening of the port channel to 18.5 meters—enabling the world’s largest vessels transiting the Suez Canal to call at Port of NEOM.

Terminal 1 will also feature horizontal transport automation as part of its broader goal to achieve full automation. Once operational, these technologies will significantly expand the port’s logistics capacity, driving regional industrial growth, opening access to global markets, enhancing supply chain resilience, and unlocking business opportunities.

Port of NEOM Managing Director Sean Kelly said: “The arrival of our first automated cranes marks a tangible milestone as we lay the foundations for an advanced, future-ready port. We are not only accelerating industrial growth in northwest Saudi Arabia, but we are also setting a new benchmark for performance, efficiency, innovation and establishing a vital trade gateway for the Kingdom and the region beyond.”

In parallel with its investments in infrastructure and automation, Port of NEOM is also committed to developing local talent, including training Saudi women to take on high-tech roles. Central to this effort is a pioneering initiative to train the next generation of production specialists in remote crane operation skills, thereby helping to shape a more inclusive future for the logistics and industrial sectors.

By empowering Saudi workers with high-tech skills, Port of NEOM is supporting NEOM’s vision of being a catalyst for a sustainable, diverse, and innovative ecosystem that enables regional economic resilience and advances the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.