RIYADH: The Saudi Council of Chambers (CSC) and the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Riyadh on Wednesday to build a strategic partnership in local content development.
The accord was signed on the sidelines of the Armed Forces Exhibition for Diversity of Requirements and Capabilities (AFED) show currently being held in Riyadh.
The MoU is to acquaint the private sector with investment opportunities available through the SABIC Nusaned program and the CSC’s Local Content Promotion initiative.
The signatories were CSC Chairman Ahmed Bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi and Deputy Chairman and CEO of SABIC Yousef Abdullah Al-Benyan.
Al-Rajhi said the MoU was part of the Saudi Vision 2030 strategy. “The cooperation between the Council of Saudi Chambers and SABIC is driven by the important strategic roles that both play in the national economy,” he said.
Al-Rajhi said that the CSC represented the umbrella of the business sector and worked to enhance its participation in Vision 2030 through a series of national and development initiatives, while SABIC had extensive manufacturing capabilities and was one of the world’s largest manufacturers of petrochemicals, fertilizers, metals and innovative plastics.
“It has programs to promote the participation of industrial local content and create opportunities for labor and workforce development,” he said, adding that the CSC and SABIC hoped that this strategic cooperation would bridge the experiences between them to raise the percentage of local content.
Under the MoU, the Saudi Council of Chambers is represented by the Local Content Enhancement Program, while SABIC will be represented by the Nusaned initiative to support investment in small and medium enterprises and develop local content. It is the first product of the local content and business development unit that was established by SABIC in early 2017.
The SABIC CEO said that this was the age of small and medium-sized enterprises and that the Nusaned program provided entrepreneurs with support to set up enterprises and create opportunities for young people.
The MoU aims to enhance joint cooperation between CSC and SABIC by increasing private-sector investment in industrial activity and enhance the value of the sector by organizing workshops, forums and related programs to increase local content.
CSC, SABIC sign MoU to develop local content
CSC, SABIC sign MoU to develop local content
New initiative to train Saudis in generative AI
RIYADH: A professional training program in generative artificial intelligence has been launched at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dhahran.
The program is offered by the Gen AI Academy in collaboration with the Saudi Data and AI Authority and NVIDIA.
This initiative marks the first step in a plan to train 4,000 Saudi citizens, according to the Saudi Press Agency report.
The program will train and qualify Saudi citizens in generative AI. It aims to build the next generation’s capabilities in AI, enhance participants’ expertise to foster innovation, and underscore the Kingdom’s advanced position in the field.
It targets individuals with a solid foundation in computer science or related fields, as well as academic professionals and practitioners.
The training includes advanced, up-to-date materials provided by certified Saudi experts from NVIDIA.
Participants will engage in a blend of virtual self-learning modules and interactive in-person workshops.
On completion, participants will receive professional certifications accredited by NVIDIA, recognized globally as leading credentials in generative AI.
The program is part of the authority’s efforts to promote learning and build national AI capabilities, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position among data- and AI-driven economies.
Security exhibition showcases KSA’s tech advancements
RIYADH: The Ministry of Interior’s Security Oasis exhibition recently concluded at the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Al-Sayahid, northeast of Riyadh.
Visitors were immersed in the Kingdom’s rich history of security and service, spanning from its founding to the present day, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The exhibition highlighted the ministry’s key development projects, investments in technology, AI applications and digital solutions aimed at enhancing public safety, environmental sustainability, traffic safety, and Hajj and Umrah services.
Visitors also learned about the ministry’s security services for individuals, businesses and government entities through platforms like Absher and the 911 call centers, the SPA reported.
The exhibition showcased anti-drug smuggling efforts, border security awareness, search and rescue operations, and land and sea monitoring.
A major highlight of the exhibition was the shooting range, where visitors enjoyed supervised shooting experiences under the guidance of professional trainers.
It also featured captivating military scenarios, performances by musical bands, camel and cavalry bands, and engaging folk performances from various regions of the Kingdom.
First Saudi aid plane arrives at Damascus International Airport, second despatched
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief sent the first two relief planes to Damascus on Wednesday morning.
Carrying medical, food and shelter supplies, the planes are part of a fleet set to provide urgent relief over the next few days.
The total aid provided by the Kingdom to the Syrian people from 2011 to the end of 2024 amounted to 856 million and 891 thousand US dollars, state news agency SPA reported.
لحظات مغادرة الطائرة الأولى من الجسر الجوي السعودي الإغاثي إلى #سوريا
— العربية السعودية (@AlArabiya_KSA) January 1, 2025
عبر:@mhsen93 pic.twitter.com/Kp4t11yRUU
Saudi crown prince offers condolences to British PM after brother dies
- Nick Starmer died on Dec. 26 at the age of 60 after a battle with cancer
- Keir Starmer met Crown Prince Mohammed earlier in December during a visit to Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent a cable of condolences to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer after the passing of his younger brother, Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
Nick Starmer died on Dec. 26 at the age of 60 after a battle with cancer.
“My brother Nick was a wonderful man,” Starmer said at the time.
“He met all the challenges life threw at him with courage and good humour. We will miss him very much.”
Keir Starmer met Crown Prince Mohammed earlier in December during a visit to Saudi Arabia.
Economic support reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to stability in Yemen, cabinet says
- The cabinet strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque, rejected any attempt at altering Jerusalem’s historical and legal status
RIYADH: The Kingdom’s latest aid package to Yemen reflects its commitment to stability in the country, the Cabinet said on Tuesday.
On Friday, Saudi Arabia announced new economic support worth $500 million. It comprises a $300 million deposit into the Central Bank of Yemen to improve economic and financial conditions and $200 million to address its budget deficit, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
During a meeting on Tuesday, the cabinet said the support aimed to strengthen Yemen’s economic, financial and monetary foundations, build the capacity of government institutions and empower the private sector to drive sustainable growth and create job opportunities.
The meeting also discussed regional and international developments and emphasized the Kingdom’s continuous efforts to foster cooperation through relations with other countries and its membership of multilateral organizations and groups.
The cabinet also strongly condemned Israel’s ongoing attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque, rejected any attempt at altering Jerusalem’s historical and legal status and called upon the international community to hold the Israeli authorities accountable for violations against civilians and Islamic holy sites in Palestine. It also reiterated its support for the Palestinian people.
The condemnation came after Israel’s Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir ascended to the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on Thursday for what he said was a “prayer” for hostages in Gaza, challenging rules over one of the most sensitive sites in the Middle East.
The cabinet also reviewed the performance indicators of key economic sectors and commended the growth of the non-profit sector, which plays a crucial role in supporting healthcare, education, research and other vital areas, in line with Saudi Vision 2030 goals.
