Saudi Arabia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to expand bilateral cooperation in communications and information technology by accelerating digital transformation, promoting innovation, and developing digital infrastructure.
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, signed the agreement in Riyadh.
The countries will establish a task force to promote Saudi-Pakistan Digital Cooperation. Under the terms of the MoU, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan will strengthen their SME and startup ecosystems through assistance in re-location and the exchange of information on business accelerators and incubators for emerging technology.
They will cooperate on policies, regulations, and legislation in the digitization and electronic manufacturing sectors. Furthermore, the MoU will encourage participation in each other’s international events and the exchange of information between their private and public enterprises in IT development and electronics.
The two countries will create and explore how entrepreneurs and enterprises can benefit from tech investments and venture capital under the MoU. They aim to deepen their digital economy ties by evaluating and qualifying companies for collaborative opportunities in their ICT markets.
The two countries will support cooperation in e-governance, smart infrastructure, e-health, e-education, and emerging technologies, such as AI, IoT, robotics, cloud computing, e-gaming, and blockchain. In addition, the MoU aims to deepen research and innovation through joint projects, training programs, and innovation centers for advanced technologies, centers of excellence, and university branches.
The two counties will develop their digital infrastructure by enhancing the connectivity of their fiber optic networks, data centers, and cloud computing, as per the statement.
