Davos, January 24, 2025 — Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Alswaha, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, held a series of high-level meetings with leaders from major technology companies as part of the Kingdom’s delegation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. His participation in the forum underscores Saudi Arabia's strategic focus on advancing partnerships in technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and innovation, which are crucial drivers for the growth of the Kingdom’s digital economy in alignment with its Vision 2030 objectives.
During the WEF, Alswaha engaged in productive discussions with several prominent figures in the global tech industry, aiming to bolster collaborations that will further elevate Saudi Arabia’s position as a hub for technological development and investment. One of his key meetings was with Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology. The two leaders discussed avenues to support the digital economy, innovation, and manufacturing, while reviewing ongoing and upcoming joint initiatives within the framework of the Saudi-Indian Partnership Council. This engagement marks an important step in fostering deeper cooperation between the two nations in the digital and tech sectors.
Another notable meeting was with Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, where Alswaha explored ways to strengthen their strategic partnership. They focused on advancing high-capacity cloud computing and AI investments that will not only support Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation but also extend benefits to the broader Middle East region, leveraging the Kingdom's strategic location. This partnership aims to harness cutting-edge technology to fuel the growth of the Kingdom’s digital economy.
In line with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to attract global investments in its tech sector, Alswaha also met with Larry Fink, Chairman and CEO of BlackRock, to discuss opportunities for investment partnerships in innovation and AI projects. These discussions aim to enhance the Kingdom’s appeal as a destination for global investors looking to tap into the burgeoning digital economy and technology ecosystem.
The Minister’s meetings continued with Yuanqing Yang, Chairman and CEO of Lenovo, where they reviewed the progress of Lenovo’s plans and investments in the Kingdom, as well as explored potential collaboration in manufacturing and technology projects. Alswaha highlighted the Kingdom’s strategic efforts to foster a conducive environment for technology-driven growth and to attract multinational corporations to invest and expand their operations in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, Alswaha met with Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm, to discuss expanding their partnership in developing AI and smart-network technologies. These discussions focused on how to further accelerate the growth of the digital economy and support sustainability goals by leveraging next-generation technologies that align with the Kingdom’s long-term vision.
Lastly, Alswaha held a meeting with Antonio Neri, President and CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), to explore strategic partnership opportunities in cloud computing and technology. The talks also addressed HPE’s efforts to localize server production in Saudi Arabia, which would enhance local content, support the Kingdom’s growing digital infrastructure, and contribute to the development of the broader tech ecosystem.
Eng. Alswaha’s participation in the World Economic Forum reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to advancing its digital economy, fostering innovation, and solidifying partnerships with global tech leaders. These discussions are critical in positioning the Kingdom as a leading player in the global digital transformation and ensuring that it remains at the forefront of technological innovation in the years to come.
