Riyadh, October 01, 2023, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to bolster their cooperation in the realm of communications and information technology. The agreement, signed in Riyadh by Saudi Arabia's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, and Pakistan's Federal Minister of Information Technology, Telecommunication, Science, and Technology, Dr. Umar Saif, paves the way for an intensified digital transformation, innovation promotion, and digital infrastructure development.
Key facets of the MoU involve the establishment of a task force dedicated to advancing Saudi-Pakistan Digital Cooperation. This collaboration will empower small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups, aiding in re-location and facilitating information exchange related to business accelerators and incubators within emerging technology sectors. The two nations will also coordinate on policy, regulatory, and legislative aspects of digitization and electronic manufacturing.
Furthermore, the agreement outlines plans to explore opportunities for entrepreneurs and enterprises to leverage tech investments and venture capital. The primary goal is to strengthen the digital economy ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan by evaluating and qualifying companies for cooperative ventures in their information and communication technology (ICT) markets.
Both countries are committed to supporting cooperation in various sectors, including e-governance, smart infrastructure, e-health, e-education, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, cloud computing, e-gaming, and blockchain. The MoU also emphasizes deepening research and innovation through collaborative projects, training programs, and the establishment of innovation centers dedicated to advanced technologies, excellence hubs, and university branches.
Additionally, the two nations will work on enhancing their digital infrastructure, with a focus on improving the connectivity of their fiber optic networks, data centers, and cloud computing capabilities. The MoU encourages active participation in each other's international events and promotes the exchange of information between public and private enterprises involved in IT development and electronics.
