IT SERVICES
Everything converges around technology, and the industry will play a fundamental role in achieving the goals of Vision 2030.
What are your main activities in Saudi Arabia?
Amjad Abdel Hafez NourNet is part of the Astra Group, the 23rd-largest privately owned business conglomerate in Saudi Arabia. We started as an ISP in 1998. At that time, over 40 licenses were issued and we were one of the very few who opted for a corporate market segment. We realized Saudi Arabia lacks services and after sales support, not infrastructure. It was with this in mind that we carved out a niche for ourselves by offering top-notch pre- and post-sales support and continuous service innovation. Having started with basic connectivity services, we have grown to become one of Saudi Arabia's leading converged services provider. It was not an easy feat to achieve because the convergence between information and communications technology is a bridge most telecom players in the region struggle to cross.
Ali Abdullah Alayed TAQNIA is one of the few organizations that did not have to change when Saudi Vision 2030 and NTP 2020 came out because its strategy was already fully aligned. 2017 is an important year for TAQNIA as it will begin executing several of its industrial projects that will make a big impact on Saudi Arabia, such as Aero Connectivity Services that allow airplane passengers to connect to a high-speed Wi-Fi connection at an altitude of 11km. Another project is the implementation of the Saudi Internet Exchange Point, which will reduce cost and latency, and heightened security of the internet usage in Saudi Arabia. Towards the end of the year, TAQNIA will be launching an academy to develop local capabilities in focus sectors relevant to the Kingdom. In terms of venture capital, the Riyad TAQNIA Fund (RTF) continues to close a number of investments in local start-ups. RTF is amongst the largest VC funds in the region, with a fund size of USD120 million.
How do you ensure data security in your cloud services and data centers?
AAH Security is an extremely serious issue. When we studied security solutions, we saw different ways to enhance the service to satisfy customers. We have a strong partnership with vendors in Saudi Arabia and customized solutions for them on the security front. However, the weakest link in this chain is still the end user. Therefore, there is a great deal to do in terms of education. While we work on educating our customers on strengthening the weakest link, our security services focus around protecting the users as much as protecting the enterprise IT infrastructure.
What are the details of your partnership with King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)?
AAA The arrangement is a result of research conducted within KACST in the satellite industry. The research resulted in forming the partnership between TAQNIA Space and Digital Globe to manufacture six satellites. Three of them will be focused on the Middle East, while the remaining three will be marketed internationally. Marketing will be performed by both TAQNIA Space and Digital Globe. Eventually the manufacturing of the satellites will be fully or partly localized in Saudi Arabia as KACST operates world-class research institutes that are progressing well in the field. The technology will be further developed and localized in the future.
How does the current localization drive across the country represent an opportunity?
AAH We fully understand the importance of localization because it is about identities that a country does not need to lose. One of the key reasons behind NourNet's success is our strong local presence through local infrastructure and local services. There are in fact more interesting ideas that are being discussed. Saudi Arabia is well positioned in the region. Almost anything that is successful in Saudi Arabia can be easily extended to most countries in the region. Thus localizing in Saudi will eventually spread services across the whole region. We have to innovate as a country to be ahead of others. We have to be sharper and more agile to find out what works and what does not and continue our growth.
AAA In terms of completely manufacturing aircraft locally in Saudi Arabia, initially we will bring the parts and assemble them here. Complete manufacturing is not easy due to the requirements for building engines. The engines will eventually be imported but the body of the plane and most of the things that we are able to manufacture here will be done. As we progress, TAQNIA will strive to develop the local supply chain so we can gradually reach complete manufacturing localization. The plant is being built and we plan to produce the first plane between 2020 and 2021.
IT SERVICES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Column
YB Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office & Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei
TBY talks to YB Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister's Office & Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Brunei, on the sector.
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A Crude Awakening
The Kingdom has made renewables a critical aspect of its ambitious Vision 2030 effort to diversify its economy and wean itself from a strictly carbon-based diet, not to mention empower local businesses and individuals to take up the mantle and lead the energy sector into the next generation.
read articleInterview
Abdulaziz AbdulKarim, Vice President of Procurement & Supply Chain Management (PSCM) , Saudi Aramco,
TBY talks to Abdulaziz AbdulKarim, Vice President of Procurement & Supply Chain Management (PSCM) at Saudi Aramco, on the IKTVA program, supporting local content, and looking back over a successful year.
read articleInterview
Ayman Abdullah Alfallaj, CEO, Thiqah
TBY talks to Ayman Abdullah Alfallaj, CEO of Thiqah, on how the private sector can keep pace with the speed of public reforms, delivering a strong and lasting value proposition, and integrating the fruits of privatization into the public sector.
read articleFocus: Technology Investments
Investment Calling
A technological revolution is underway in the Kingdom. Already one of the most tech-savvy nations in the Middle East, the Saudi market has long sought a thriving domestic technology and innovation scene. And with Vision 2030, it is on course to deliver just that.
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A Hejaz Unhindered
An ambitious series of road and rail projects from the Jordanian border down to the Indian Ocean are slated to open in part before the end of 2017. They bring the Kingdom that much nearer to its goal of greater non-carbon-based economic integration with the world.
read articleInterview
Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Former Minister of Transport and Minister, Civil Service
TBY talks to Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Former Minister of Transport and current Minister of Civil Service, on an attractive legislative framework for investment, railway linkages, and port developments.
read articleInterview
Rumaih M. Al-Rumaih, President, Public Transport Authority (PTA
TBY talks to Rumaih M. Al-Rumaih, President of Public Transport Authority (PTA) & Acting President of Saudi Railway Organization, on teaming up with commercially committed partners, making sure the Kingdom's land and sea bridges are of the first order, and providing employment for all the Kingdom's inhabitants.
read articleInterview
Nabeel M. Al-Amudi, President, Saudi Ports Authority, and Minister of Transport
TBY talks to Nabeel M. Al-Amudi, Minister of Transport, and President of Saudi Ports Authority, on optimally restricting concession agreements, resolving bottlenecks in the logistics chain, and privatizing as rapidly as possible.
read articleInterview
Khaled Bin Abdullah Al Hogail, CEO & Managing Director , Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO)
TBY talks to Khaled Bin Abdullah Al Hogail, CEO & Managing Director of the Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO), on the importance of strong and rational regulations, knowledge transfers, and unifying public and private transportation networks.
read articleInterview
Imad El-Zein, CEO, Auto World-Sixt Saudi Arabia
TBY talks to Imad El-Zein, CEO of Auto World-Sixt Saudi Arabia, on growing market share in challenging circumstances, partnering with world-class players to boost its local presence, and combining better services with lower costs.
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Saleh H. Al-Ghamdi, Acting CEO, Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS)
TBY talks to Saleh H. Al-Ghamdi, Acting CEO of Saudi Air Navigation Services Company (SANS), on maximizing safe and effective services, effectively increasing the rate of Saudization, and easing the pathway of women into the workforce.
read articleInterview
Khalil Kutubkhanah, CEO, Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company (JDURC)
TBY talks to Ibrahim Khalil Kutubkhanah, CEO of Jeddah Development and Urban Regeneration Company (JDURC), on Jeddah's unplanned settlements, the company's redevelopment projects, and its partnership model with the private sector.
read articleInterview
Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Shaibani, Deputy Minister, Planning and Health & Director of the Vision Realization Office
TBY talks to Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Shaibani, Deputy Minister for Planning and Health & Director of the Vision Realization Office, on reforms within the Ministry of Health, the corporatization of healthcare provision, and transformations in care delivery.
read articleInterview
Mohanad A. Dahlan, CEO, University of Business and Technology (UBT) Company
TBY talks to Mohanad A. Dahlan, CEO of University of Business and Technology (UBT) Company, on the evolution of the company, education investments, and upcoming sectors that will need support from the sector.
read articleFocus: Universities
Broad and Deep
As part of the continuing decentralization of higher education in Saudi Arabia, individual universities are pursuing their own paths to grow their faculties, engage with various international stakeholders, and ultimately move toward a more privatized future.
read articleInterview
Rafique Izhiman, Area General Manager KSA Jeddah, Yanbu Hotels
TBY talks to Rafique Izhiman, Area General Manager KSA Jeddah/Yanbu Hotels & General Manager, Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG), Jeddah, on the role the firm plays in the market, expanding its footprint in the country, and expectations for 2017.
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