Saudi Arabia Sets Digital Innovation Benchmark, Says DGA Chief

Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) Ahmed Alsuwaiyan
Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) Ahmed Alsuwaiyan
TT

Saudi Arabia Sets Digital Innovation Benchmark, Says DGA Chief

Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) Ahmed Alsuwaiyan
Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority (DGA) Ahmed Alsuwaiyan

Saudi Arabia is leading the way in digital technology for citizens, residents, visitors, and businesses, according to Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, Governor of the Kingdom’s Digital Government Authority (DGA).
The Kingdom has made major advances in sectors like health, municipalities, and education, affirmed Alsuwaiyan.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Alsuwaiyan noted that Saudi Arabia is now among the top 10 countries globally for digital government.
It ranks sixth in the Global E-Government Development Index, reflecting the government's dedication to becoming a top digital state and improving service efficiency.
Alsuwaiyan reminded that Saudi Arabia is fourth worldwide, first in the region, and second in Asia in the United Nations e-Government Development Index and related measures.
Moreover, Saudi Arabia has achieved significant success in digital government, ranking second globally for digital services among G20 countries and seventh in the e-Participation Index.
The Kingdom surged 25 places in the 2024 UN e-Government Development Index, joining the top 10 worldwide and becoming the first Middle Eastern country to do so.
Saudi Arabia’s national transformation plan, “Vision 2030,” has driven this progress, boosting the Kingdom from 52nd place in 2018 to sixth this year.
Saudi Arabia also rose 32 spots in the Human Capital Index, now leading globally in digital government skills.
Riyadh is third worldwide in the UN e-Government Development Index, following Tallinn and Madrid, and ranks first in the G20 region. The city excels in regulatory frameworks and providing key public service information.
Alsuwaiyan credited these achievements to a focus on creating impact through technology and effective public-private partnerships.
Efforts to improve infrastructure and foster a supportive investment environment have also contributed to Saudi Arabia's leading role in digital government practices.

 



Gold Extends Slide to 1-week Low on Curbed Safety Demand, Stronger Dollar

A view shows an ingot of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
A view shows an ingot of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
TT

Gold Extends Slide to 1-week Low on Curbed Safety Demand, Stronger Dollar

A view shows an ingot of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
A view shows an ingot of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom during production at Krastsvetmet precious metals plant in the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Gold prices extended declines on Tuesday, hitting a more than one-week low, pressured by a jump in US dollar and easing safe-haven demand after reports of a possible Lebanon-Israel ceasefire.

Spot gold was down 0.4% at $2,614.56 per ounce as of 0845 GMT, after hitting its lowest since Nov. 18 earlier in the session. US gold futures edged 0.1% lower to $2,614.80, Reuters reported.

The precious metal fell 3.2% on Monday, its deepest one-day decline in more than five months, on news that Israel looked set to approve a US plan for a ceasefire with the Iran-backed Hezbollah, with further pressure from Trump's nomination of Scott Bessent as the US Treasury secretary.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said it had noted that Trump's circle was speaking about a potential peace plan for Ukraine.

"This has reduced the geopolitical risk premium, leading to a decline in gold prices," said Soni Kumari, a commodity strategist at ANZ, adding that a stronger US dollar is also weighing on investor appetite for gold. The dollar was up by 0.3%, after US President-elect Donald Trump vowed tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China, reducing gold's appeal for holders of other currencies.

"So now the focus will shift back to, what Fed is going to do in December meeting," Kumari said. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Neel Kashkari, typically on the hawkish end of the US central bank's policy spectrum, said he is open to cutting rates again next month.

Traders will also keep a close eye on US consumer confidence data and the minutes from the Fed's November meeting later in the day.

"I expect gold to trade in a narrow range in the short term, with a slight upward drift," Matt Simpson, a senior analyst at City Index said.

Spot silver slipped by 0.1% to $2,614.80 per ounce, platinum shed 1.1% to $928.40 and palladium was down 0.2% to $971.10.