“Saudi Arabia and Japan forge landmark digital economy partnership with Memorandum of Understanding

Saudi Arabia and Japan have formalized their commitment to advancing the digital economy and enhancing digital government services through a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

The agreement, signed by Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha and Japanese Digital Transformation Minister Kono Taro at the Digital Agency office in Tokyo, encompasses various cooperative efforts, including digital platforms, e-signatures, and documentation.

This partnership will also involve collaborative initiatives in research and innovation, with a dedicated team working on developing digital services for the government. Additionally, both nations have pledged to exchange best practices and policies to encourage the adoption of cutting-edge technologies in businesses.

This strategic collaboration, facilitated by the Digital Agency established in 2021, marks a significant milestone in the evolving digital landscape, reflecting the close cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Japan. In parallel, Al-Swaha and a delegation representing Saudi Arabia’s digital economy, space, and innovation sectors engaged in productive meetings with ministers from various countries and UN officials in Japan.

Among these meetings, discussions with UK Minister of State for Data and Digital Infrastructure Sir John Whittingdale aimed to strengthen the partnership between the two nations in digital economy growth, innovation, and research and development. Moreover, a separate meeting with International Telecommunication Union Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin explored prospects for expanding effective partnerships and existing initiatives to support the digital economy’s growth in the region.

Additionally, a meeting with UN under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, Li Junhua, provided valuable insights into the state of the digital economy. This latest collaboration builds upon the foundation set in July when Saudi Arabia and Japan exchanged 26 pre-signed economic agreements, covering sectors such as healthcare, clean energy, mining, and digital innovation.

These agreements signify the deepening bilateral relationship, spurred by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the Kingdom, which aimed to promote significant local companies and explore further opportunities for collaboration.