Page 35 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

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Cisco Announces New Strategic Initiatives in

Saudi Arabia

Building on their long-standing presence technology innovation to the Kingdom, Supply of Essential Needs, Energy and
in Saudi Arabia, Cisco announced new working alongside customers and partners Industrial Leadership, and Economies of
strategic initiatives at LEAP 2024. Cisco on numerous critical national projects, the Future. Reem Asaad, Vice President for
unveiled the establishing of a new regional while investing in talent development. Cisco Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, Romania,
head office in Riyadh, and the launch of the Guy Diedrich, Senior Vice President, and and the Commonwealth of Independent
new phase of its Country Digital Acceleration Global Innovation Officer at Cisco said: States (CIS), commented: “Cisco’s ongoing
Program. The same has been finalized post “Our CDA program and Cisco Networking investments in Saudi Arabia’s growing
the regional headquarter license granted by Academy are powerful platforms that drive digital economy contribute to the rapid
the Ministry of Investment. Vice Minister co-innovation, unlock co-investment, and integration of technology across all sectors
of Communications and Information train the workforce of the future. As we to drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and
Technology, Eng. Haitham bin Abdul enter the next chapter of our commitments foster economic growth. We’re excited
Rahman Al-Ohali, commented: “Technology in Saudi Arabia, we look forward to once to continue our pivotal role in supporting
is a key enabler in achieving the Saudi again, lend our expertise, resources, and the country’s vision to accelerate a digital,
Vision 2030. Investments of global tech global network, to help the Kingdom’s sustainable, and inclusive future.” Initially
players like Cisco play a crucial role in transition into a vibrant, diverse digital launched in the Kingdom in 2016, the CDA
strengthening our technology landscape, economy.” Cisco has also announced program has been supporting digitization
and in fostering economic growth and the continuation of its collaboration efforts across key industries, fostering
diversification. They help in bringing with the Ministry of Communications digital skills, and developing the innovation
the necessary resources, expertise, and and Information Technology, with a new ecosystem in the country. To date, the
innovation to propel the Kingdom forward phase of its ongoing Country Digital program has implemented more than 20
on its path to a diversified, knowledge- Acceleration program. The program’s projects of national impact across vital
based economy, and advance its position third iteration will align to the goals of the sectors including healthcare, education,
as an innovation hub.” Since the start of Saudi Research and Development National smart Cities and government digitization.
its activities in Saudi Arabia in 1997, Cisco Strategy, focusing on Health and Wellness, Some of key projects were realized in
has been at the forefront of delivering Sustainable Environment & Affordable collaboration with King Abdullah University
of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi
Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence
(SDAIA), and Vision 2030 Giga Projects.
In addition, Cisco continues to foster
digital skills, leveraging Cisco Networking
Academy – one of the world’s longest
standing IT-skills-to-jobs programs. To
date, Cisco has trained more than 335,000
learners in Saudi Arabia on networking,
cybersecurity, programing, and other digital
technology skills. “Today’s announcements
reinforce Cisco’s commitment to support
the digital ecosystem in Saudi Arabia,”
said Salman Faqeeh, Managing Director,
Cisco Saudi Arabia. “I am proud of what we
have achieved through our longstanding
presence in the Kingdom, and via our active
programs like CDA and Cisco Networking
Academy; and I am looking forward to
more milestones. With our technologies
spanning every IT and business objective,
from networking to security, collaboration,
monitoring, application development and
more; Cisco continues to be at the heart
of driving digitization together with our
customers and partners.”

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