Technology, Investments Boost Saudi Arabia's Shift to Digital Economy

People attend LEAP 2022, which concluded on Thursday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
People attend LEAP 2022, which concluded on Thursday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Technology, Investments Boost Saudi Arabia's Shift to Digital Economy

People attend LEAP 2022, which concluded on Thursday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
People attend LEAP 2022, which concluded on Thursday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

LEAP 2022, the global technology platform, uncovered Saudi Arabia's readiness to address technical solutions and requirements that can address future challenges amid the development of the sector in the Kingdom.

Several international companies asserted to Asharq Al-Awsat the importance of the conference, which revealed the future technologies, stressing that Saudi Arabia is steadily racing to become among the first countries that invest in future technology.

Several businessmen and economists said the conference explored the importance of partnerships between the public and private sectors to accelerate the Saudi drive towards achieving digital transformation.

They also believed that it would enhance the knowledge-based and green economies and develop technology for advanced industries that are possible for clean energy, seeking to achieve zero emissions.

Saudi Arabia is defining technology features in the Middle East through LEAP 2022.

Entrepreneurs

Unifonic CEO Ahmed Hamdan told Asharq Al-Awsat that companies seek such exhibitions to present the public with new solutions, given that the establishments are aware of market developments in the field of technology.

Hamdan indicated that the conference witnessed fantastic technical innovations and presentations, bringing together all local and international companies under one roof.

He revealed that several agreements were concluded between significant companies, highlighting their desire to develop and provide their best.

Through the conference, Unifonic tried to produce and showcase products to the market very quickly, said Hamdan, adding that the company will launch several initiatives.

He noted that the Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology encourages small companies to become large and compete with high technologies.

The CEO added that Saudi Arabia is developing in the sector by adopting technologies and financial support to entrepreneurs.

The Ministry is also directing startups and providing them with appropriate solutions to achieve their desired goals, said the CEO, adding that this will empower startups and grant them a chance to develop in the future.

Supporting inventions

Vice President for Software AG in the Middle East Ahmad Salama explained that LEAP 2022 is a platform for a global vision for the technical community and is compatible with Vision 2030.

Salama indicated that projects, such as NEOM and the Red Sea, aim to achieve a future fueled by inventions, livability and sustainability for a prosperous economy.

He believes that this vision is also founded on a "connected enterprise" philosophy, which is adopted and supported by Software AG to support its progress and achieve transformation goals in Saudi Arabia and the world.

Software AG will continue to share global best practices and innovate new ones as a member of the thriving Saudi digital community, invest in the Kingdom's economy and its youth, and align with the Vision of mobilizing this technological advancement across the public and private sectors.

Saudi investor Abdullah al-Malehi, and head of Tamayouz, confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the conference provided an opportunity for the business sector in technical industries to cooperate through opportunities that enhance the Saudi goals in cooperation with the public sector.

Malehi indicated that these partnerships are possible for digital transformation and shaping the future of banks in advanced technologies, noting that the local market is significant in advanced technology.

He explained that Saudi Arabia seeks to diversify its oil-dependent economy, noting that the announced investment includes contributions from major Saudi companies.

Gulf countries are working on initiatives to promote non-oil growth, said Malehi, stressing at the same time that the Kingdom will pump hundreds of billions of dollars in economic transformation represented by Vision 2030.

A large number of investments will be injected into the local market.

Artificial superintelligence

SingularityNET CEO Ben Goertzel pointed out that artificial intelligence is still limited, indicating that the development accompanying the digital infrastructure will transform it to Superintelligence.

Speaking at the "Scaling Up Decentralized AI to Power Global Transformation" session, during the third day of LEAP, Goertzel explained that everyone would be able to maximize the use of this technology.

Meanwhile, CEO of RMA Advisory Renato de Castro explained during "Metaverse VR Immersive" that the demand for virtual reality immersive experiences is accelerating, especially as it allows moving with ease.

De Castro explained that the number of Metaverse VR users has grown during the coronavirus pandemic, with over 90 players registering in a short period.

He explained that users spent over $40 million in purchases from this big and exciting market, predicting its volume to reach $100 billion soon.

Digital infrastructure

VMware regional director Saif Mashat said that the company is continuing to achieve its strategies and record-high levels of success in digital infrastructure projects, pointing out that it will expand to new projects in the Saudi market.

He explained that VMware is establishing future projects in line with the significant goals of Vision 2030, which necessitates that everyone unite their efforts and engage in professional cooperation.

The company focuses on training Saudi youth in cooperation with Saudi universities, said Mashat, announcing an agreement with the Prince Sultan University to train young men and girls on many digital skills and qualify faculty members to provide educational programs and content.

He indicated that the company would grant accredited certificates to the trainees.

Mashat also announced the company has several future agreements with some universities and sectors to train and qualify youths on technical programs and skills that the labor market requires.

He revealed plans with various sectors in 2022, namely projects to establish a distinguished digital infrastructure that matches the tremendous digital transformation witnessed by the Kingdom.



IMF and Arab Monetary Fund Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation

The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA
The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA
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IMF and Arab Monetary Fund Sign MoU to Enhance Cooperation

The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA
The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki - SPA

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Arab Monetary Fund (AMF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the AlUla Conference on Emerging Market Economies (EME) to enhance cooperation between the two institutions.

The MoU was signed by IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva and AMF Director General Dr. Fahad Alturki, SPA reported.

The agreement aims to strengthen coordination in economic and financial policy areas, including surveillance and lending activities, data and analytical exchange, capacity building, and the provision of technical assistance, in support of regional financial and economic stability.

Both sides affirmed that the MoU represents an important step toward deepening their strategic partnership and strengthening the regional financial safety net, serving member countries and enhancing their ability to address economic challenges.


Saudi Chambers Federation Announces First Saudi-Kuwaiti Business Council

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Chambers Federation Announces First Saudi-Kuwaiti Business Council

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

The Federation of Saudi Chambers announced the formation of the first joint Saudi-Kuwaiti Business Council for its inaugural term (1447–1451 AH) and the election of Salman bin Hassan Al-Oqayel as its chairman.

Al-Oqayel said the council’s formation marks a pivotal milestone in economic relations between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, reflecting a practical approach to enabling the business sectors in both countries to capitalize on promising investment opportunities and strengthen bilateral trade and investment partnerships, SPA reported.

He noted that trade between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait reached approximately SAR9.5 billion by the end of November 2025, including SAR8 billion in Saudi exports and SAR1.5 billion in Kuwaiti imports.


Leading Harvard Trade Economist Says Saudi Arabia Holds Key to Success in Fragmented Global Economy

Professor Pol Antràs speaks during a panel discussion at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Professor Pol Antràs speaks during a panel discussion at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat).
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Leading Harvard Trade Economist Says Saudi Arabia Holds Key to Success in Fragmented Global Economy

Professor Pol Antràs speaks during a panel discussion at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Professor Pol Antràs speaks during a panel discussion at the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies (Asharq Al-Awsat).

Harvard University economics professor Pol Antràs said Saudi Arabia represents an exceptional model in the shifting global trade landscape, differing fundamentally from traditional emerging-market frameworks. He also stressed that globalization has not ended but has instead re-formed into what he describes as fragmented integration.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the AlUla Conference for Emerging Market Economies, Antràs said Saudi Arabia’s Vision-driven structural reforms position the Kingdom to benefit from the ongoing phase of fragmented integration, adding that the country’s strategic focus on logistics transformation and artificial intelligence constitutes a key engine for sustainable growth that extends beyond the volatility of global crises.

Antràs, the Robert G. Ory Professor of Economics at Harvard University, is one of the leading contemporary theorists of international trade. His research, which reshaped understanding of global value chains, focuses on how firms organize cross-border production and how regulation and technological change influence global trade flows and corporate decision-making.

He said conventional classifications of economies often obscure important structural differences, noting that the term emerging markets groups together countries with widely divergent industrial bases. Economies that depend heavily on manufacturing exports rely critically on market access and trade integration and therefore face stronger competitive pressures from Chinese exports that are increasingly shifting toward alternative markets.

Saudi Arabia, by contrast, exports extensively while facing limited direct competition from China in its primary export commodity, a situation that creates a strategic opportunity. The current environment allows the Kingdom to obtain imports from China at lower cost and access a broader range of goods that previously flowed largely toward the United States market.

Addressing how emerging economies should respond to dumping pressures and rising competition, Antràs said countries should minimize protectionist tendencies and instead position themselves as committed participants in the multilateral trading system, allowing foreign producers to access domestic markets while encouraging domestic firms to expand internationally.

He noted that although Chinese dumping presents concerns for countries with manufacturing sectors that compete directly with Chinese production, the risk is lower for Saudi Arabia because it does not maintain a large manufacturing base that overlaps directly with Chinese exports. Lower-cost imports could benefit Saudi consumers, while targeted policy tools such as credit programs, subsidies, and support for firms seeking to redesign and upgrade business models represent more effective responses than broad protectionist measures.

Globalization has not ended

Antràs said globalization continues but through more complex structures, with trade agreements increasingly negotiated through diverse arrangements rather than relying primarily on multilateral negotiations. Trade deals will continue to be concluded, but they are likely to become more complex, with uncertainty remaining a defining feature of the global trading environment.

Interest rates and artificial intelligence

According to Antràs, high global interest rates, combined with the additional risk premiums faced by emerging markets, are constraining investment, particularly in sectors that require export financing, capital expenditure, and continuous quality upgrading.

However, he noted that elevated interest rates partly reflect expectations of stronger long-term growth driven by artificial intelligence and broader technological transformation.

He also said if those growth expectations materialize, productivity gains could enable small and medium-sized enterprises to forecast demand more accurately and identify previously untapped markets, partially offsetting the negative effects of higher borrowing costs.

Employment concerns and the role of government

The Harvard professor warned that labor markets face a dual challenge stemming from intensified Chinese export competition and accelerating job automation driven by artificial intelligence, developments that could lead to significant disruptions, particularly among younger workers. He said governments must adopt proactive strategies requiring substantial fiscal resources to mitigate near-term labor-market shocks.

According to Antràs, productivity growth remains the central condition for success: if new technologies deliver the anticipated productivity gains, governments will gain the fiscal space needed to compensate affected groups and retrain the workforce, achieving a balance between addressing short-term disruptions and investing in long-term strategic gains.