Saudi Agencies Sign Framework Agreement for Cloud Computing

Aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: AP)
Aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: AP)
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Saudi Agencies Sign Framework Agreement for Cloud Computing

Aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: AP)
Aerial view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (File photo: AP)

The Saudi Digital Government Authority (DGA) launched a framework agreement to provide cloud computing services for Saudi government agencies through the "Etimad" platform.

The adoption of the platform provides many services to various government agencies and enhances the partnership with the private sector.

It also helps achieve the development goals of the Kingdom, enables the digital transformation of those services, increases transparency and efficiency, and facilitates providing services.

The framework agreement aims to contribute to the digital transformation in the Kingdom, unify product specifications and standards, increase the contribution of the private sector, and create a competitive environment.

The agreement aims to develop local content, rationalize consumption, raise the efficiency of digital purchases, speed up its procedures, and increase the quality and effectiveness of products.

The agreement includes several cloud computing infrastructure services: random memory, virtual CPU and storage, and backup.

DGA Governor Ahmed al-Suwayan said that the framework agreement supports government digital transformation programs and partnerships with the private sector.

The Authority recently announced the regulatory framework of the digital government policy.

At the ceremony, Suwayan stressed that the government platforms achieved digital excellence and concerted efforts through joint work and integration between various digital media.

He indicated that this step supports the regulation and governance of digital services business and improves beneficiaries' experience through a system of digital government services. It also contributes to integration between government agencies and strengthens cooperation.

The Governor announced that digital government policy enables and accelerates the sustainable digital transformation of the public sector in the medium and long term.

The policy aims to create a comprehensive government system that focuses on the beneficiaries, including citizens, residents, and visitors, and facilitate the digital transformation of the public sector by enhancing its capabilities.

The "Governance Digital Platform... Orientation and Impact" session was held during the ceremony to discuss the government's approach, perspectives, and platforms.

The Governor handed over the platforms' registration certificates to the entities that responded to the Authority's circular, including Absher, Etimad, Ejar, Balady, Tawakkalna, Sakani, Sehaty, Qiwa, Madrasati, and Najiz.

The Authority is the national reference and competent entity for digital governance in the Kingdom.

It aims to direct national efforts to harmonize government procedures, achieve optimal investment for existing assets, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the experience of government beneficiaries and digital service providers.



European Commission Says Bloc Can Cope with Halt of Russian Gas Flow

FILE PHOTO: Valves and pipes are seen at a gas compressor station in the village of Boyarka, outside Kyiv, April 22, 2015. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Valves and pipes are seen at a gas compressor station in the village of Boyarka, outside Kyiv, April 22, 2015. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo/File Photo
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European Commission Says Bloc Can Cope with Halt of Russian Gas Flow

FILE PHOTO: Valves and pipes are seen at a gas compressor station in the village of Boyarka, outside Kyiv, April 22, 2015. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Valves and pipes are seen at a gas compressor station in the village of Boyarka, outside Kyiv, April 22, 2015. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/File Photo/File Photo

The European Commission played down the impact of a halt of Russian gas exports to Europe via Ukraine on Wednesday, saying the stop on Jan. 1 had been expected and that the bloc was prepared for it.
"The European gas infrastructure is flexible enough to provide gas of non-Russian origin to CEE (central and eastern Europe) via alternative routes," a spokesperson for the European Commission said.
"It has been reinforced with significant new LNG import capacities since 2022."

Russian natural gas exports via Soviet-era pipelines running through Ukraine to Europe were halted in the early hours of New Year's Day as a transit deal expired and warring Moscow and Kyiv have failed to reach an agreement to continue the flows.
The shutdown of Russia's oldest gas route to Europe ends a decade of fraught relations sparked by Russia's seizure of Crimea in 2014. Ukraine stopped buying Russian gas the following year.
"We stopped the transit of Russian gas. This is a historic event. Russia is losing its markets, it will suffer financial losses. Europe has already made the decision to abandon Russian gas," Ukraine's Energy Minister German Galushchenko said in a statement.
The stoppage of gas flows was expected amid the war, which started in February 2022. Ukraine has been adamant it would not extend the deal amid the military conflict.