Saudi Arabia, France Establish Strategic Digital Innovation Partnership

Ministry of Communications and Information Technology signed a memorandum of understanding with the General Secretariat for Digital Transformation and Electronic Communications of the Republic of France; with the aim to enhance and encourage institutional, economic, academic and scientific cooperation between the two parties, in digital innovation, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, as they all fall within the framework of the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to the Kingdom.

The memorandum was signed on the Saudi side by the Governor of the Communications and Information Technology Commission, Dr. Muhammad Al-Tamimi, while it was signed by the French Minister in charge of Foreign Trade and Attraction Frank Riester.

It stipulates the cooperation of the two sides in several areas, most notably digital infrastructure, smart cities, security of the digital economy, in addition to artificial intelligence, educational technology (EdTech), cultural and creative industries including video games and e-sports, and digital innovation.

The ministry is leading continuous efforts to create an interconnected present and an innovative future, based on the foundations of knowledge, innovation and advanced digital technologies, Dr. Al-Tamimi stressed, drawing attention to the ministry’s keenness to seize and adopt the outputs of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and benefit from them in achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s ambitious vision 2030, aimed at strengthening the role of the telecommunications sector and information technology, to build a digital society a well as government, in addition to thriving digital economy, and an innovative future for the Kingdom.

MoU aims to enhance bilateral trade and investment and create a commercial environment that enhances confidence, in business and boosts growth and innovation, as the two sides are keen to develop their cooperation in emerging sectors, indicating that the Kingdom’s keenness drives it to establish partnerships and alliances with leading countries, in this field to exchange experiences and visions, and eventually, to achieve common interests.