RIYADH — The Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) is hosting the inaugural annual digital technology forum with the theme "Promising investment opportunities for a digital future". The forum will be held in coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) and the Saudi Ministry of Investment (MISA), the Saudi Press Agency reported. It will bring together investors and tech companies to explore investment trends and opportunities in Saudi Arabia's rapidly growing Information Technology (IT) and Emerging Technology (ET) sectors. The day-long forum will take place online at 14:00 local time on Aug. 24, 2021, and feature in-depth discussions and informative presentations on the latest trends and best practices in the tech industry, including smart cities, investment success stories, and investment opportunities in IT and ET in Saudi Arabia. Sessions at the Digital Technology Form cover key issues such as "Tech Enablement: Infrastructure, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity and Data", "Tech Investment: Success Stories", and "Tech Trends: Investing in Future Technologies, and Tech Market: A Healthy Environment". Speakers include some of the most innovative and visionary ICT experts including representatives from Ericsson, Huwaei, Amazon, eWTP Arabia Capital, Abdullatif Jameel, Machinestalk, Fawaz Alhokair Group and Cloud Solutions. The forum will also launch the new Advisory Groups Initiative which encourages greater communication and cooperation between the government and private sectors. This will support the development of the local IT and ET markets, improve long-term communication and cooperation among stakeholders and position the Kingdom's digital market at the forefront of global ICT investment. This new initiative consists of four advisory groups: global IT companies, local IT companies, governmental supporting agencies, and IT beneficiaries and is designed for stakeholders to seek help and offer advice by bringing different experiences and perspectives to the table. The Advisory Groups Initiative was formed as a result of the rapid development of the Kingdom's ICT market.
