Exclusive Interview with Ahmed Al-Ansari, CEO of "Meter" Platform, App
In a world witnessing rapid shifts towards digitization and innovation, the 'Meter' platform emerges as one of the most prominent technological platforms reshaping the engineering and surveying sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this interview, Ahmed Al-Ansari, CEO of 'Meter,' explained more about this pioneering platform and its role in transforming the surveying sector from traditional to advanced digital. What 'Meter' platform?
'Meter' is the first integrated Saudi engineering and surveying system on a global level, fully owned by the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property. The platform aims to connect individuals, real estate companies, property developers, and contractors with surveying and engineering offices, thereby accelerating and facilitating the completion of residential, commercial, and real estate projects.
How 'Meter' contribute to the development of real estate sector?
The 'Meter' platform enhances project efficiency by simplifying surveying and engineering processes. We offer advanced technological solutions that enable users to access accurate and fast surveying services, reducing the time and effort required to complete projects. Additionally, the platform improves the quality of services provided, positively impacting the real estate sector as a whole.
What achievements has 'Meter' accomplished so far?
'Meter' has received the ISO certification for quality management systems, as well as the ISO certification for information management. We were also recently awarded the Best Geospatial Application by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information. Moreover, these achievements reflect our commitment to delivering high-quality and reliable services. How 'Meter' contribute to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030?
Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to transform services into fast and innovative digital services, and the 'Meter' platform actively contributes to achieving this goal. We are also working to convert traditional surveying and engineering services into advanced digital services, thereby accelerating the pace of development and enhancing the efficiency of the real estate sector.
What are future plans for 'Meter'?
We are continuously working to develop the platform and add new features to improve the user experience. We also aim to expand our operations to new regions and strengthen collaboration with government and private entities to achieve further integration in the real estate sector. Final Message for Investors and users?
At 'Meter,' we believe that the future belongs to technology and innovation, and we strive to remain at the forefront of this transformation. Additionally, we invite everyone to experience the 'Meter' platform and benefit from its advanced services, which contribute to accelerating project completion and improving their quality.
With these words, Al-Ansari concluded his remarks, emphasizing 'Meter's' commitment to leading the digital transformation in the surveying and engineering sector and its active role in achieving Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030.
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Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
Plant-based diets transform Saudi agriculture and fuel Vision 2030
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Little and head of its consumer goods, retail, and agriculture division, emphasized the potential of alternative crops and supporting technologies. According to him, the greatest opportunity in agriculture lies in embracing innovation — from alternative crops to smart technologies — to meet rising demand, reduce costs, and enhance food sovereignty. As plant-based trends continue to flourish, Saudi Arabia's evolving agricultural strategy may well position the Kingdom as a regional leader in sustainable food production. 'Plant-based diets are often inherently more sustainable — production of meat and dairy for example is one of the most land and water intensive activities on the planet, as well as a major contributor to global warming due to land use change and methane emissions from ruminant animals,' Webster told Arab News. He added that plant-based diets necessitate consumers to seek non-meat protein alternatives, creating opportunities to focus more on conventional high-protein crops such as chickpeas, lentils, and quinoa, which naturally exhibit greater tolerance to drought and salinity compared to many other arable crops. The ADL partner noted that crops such as lentils can play a key role in improving meat alternatives, including products like lentil burgers, with ongoing efforts aimed at increasing their resilience to harsh environmental conditions. Webster also pointed to the growing momentum behind vertical farming, which is attracting more than $1 billion in annual venture capital investment. This method supports year-round, high-quality food production in compact urban environments by utilizing advanced lighting, irrigation, and automation technologies — enabling crops to be grown virtually anywhere with minimal risk of pests and diseases. He said: 'Finally, a rise in 'lab grown meat' has seen a temporary boom in investment, but then a subsequent decline due to the costs of production and also consumer appetite when it comes to taste and mouthfeel of unfamiliar products.' According to consultancy firm Strategy& Middle East, businesses across Saudi Arabia's agricultural sector are increasingly adopting integrated, technology-driven supply chain models to meet the growing demand for plant-based and locally sourced products. Roger Rabbat, partner at Strategy&, highlighted that major agribusinesses such as NADEC are leading this shift by implementing controlled-environment farming in partnership with Pure Harvest. This approach enables the year-round production of pesticide-free, locally grown vegetables, enhancing both food quality and supply chain resilience. 'Startups have also been active to adapt to these trends as well, with companies like Red Sea Farms collaborating with Saudia Airlines to supply sustainable food to customers by levering RSF's innovative solutions around irrigation and greenhouse technology,' Rabbat told Arab News. Supply chain Providing sustainable, locally sourced food not only strengthens national food security but also supports public health initiatives — including biofortification, which enhances the nutritional value of food without requiring major changes to traditional eating habits. Patrick Wall, a medical doctor, veterinarian, and professor of public health at University College Dublin, noted that Saudi poultry producers, in collaboration with King Abdulaziz University, are exploring the use of algal oil in animal feed as a way to address nutrient deficiencies and improve overall public health outcomes. 'Microalgae are tiny aquatic organisms that, while not technically classified as plants, are photosynthetic and can be sustainably cultivated for use in both animal feed and dietary supplements,' Wall, who is also a former chair of the European Food Safety Authority, told Arab News. Wall emphasized that fortifying poultry with Omega-3 DHA could play a significant role in combating heart disease and diabetes in Saudi Arabia, which ranks among the world's largest poultry consumers. He explained that the human body cannot produce sufficient Omega-3 fatty acids on its own, making dietary intake essential. However, fish — a primary source of Omega-3s — is often avoided by many Saudis, particularly younger generations, leading to nutritional gaps that enriched poultry could help address. 'Tanmiah and Arabian Farms are the first companies in the region to produce DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) enriched poultry and eggs and they helped King Abdulaziz University to deliver this research. They are showing that the private sector is ready to engage in food innovation that benefits both public health and business growth,' Wall said. Rabbat, from Strategy&, noted that the record agricultural GDP achieved by the Kingdom in 2024 is being driven by ecosystem-wide innovation, supported by the introduction of new products and technologies such as precision irrigation and vertical farming. 'SADAFCO has launched Saudia Oat Milk, the Kingdom's first locally produced oat based milk, to meet the rising demand for plant-based alternatives. Mishkat Agritech, based in Jeddah, leverages hydroponic greenhouse and vertical farming techniques to reduce water usage by up to 90 percent compared to traditional agriculture,' he said. The Strategy& Middle East partner added: 'These innovations directly support Vision 2030 by advancing food security, reducing import dependence, enabling sustainable resource use, and fostering a resilient, tech-driven economy.' Food system innovation There is no doubt that Vision 2030 places strong emphasis on building a vibrant society, enhancing quality of life, diversifying the economy, and empowering the private sector in Saudi Arabia. In the agri-food sector, this vision translates into prioritizing public health and nutrition, developing consumer-friendly products, strengthening food security, and advancing sustainable food production. From the perspective of Arthur D. Little, innovation in sustainable food systems is a cornerstone of this national transformation. One particularly promising area is the use of functional ingredients to boost the nutritional profile of everyday foods. Webster highlighted that Saudi scientists are working to reduce the country's dependence on imported animal feed by cultivating microalgae locally. 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The ADL partner acknowledged that while the full impact of these innovations on national food system productivity is still emerging, their long-term potential is substantial. From Strategy&'s perspective, Rabbat emphasized that the growing 'plant-based prosperity' trend is steering Saudi agriculture toward sustainable, technology-driven models designed to address water scarcity, climate challenges, and increasing consumer demand.
Arab News
13 hours ago
- Arab News
How emerging AI talent is shaping the future of smart healthcare in Saudi Arabia
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As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in smart hospitals, real-time imaging, and personalized care, tools like HuLP and Med-YOLOWorld represent the next wave of AI in healthcare: explainable, collaborative, and regionally adaptable. And with growing partnerships between research institutions, healthcare providers, and government entities, these systems may not be far from deployment in the Kingdom, paving the way for a more intelligent, human-centered approach to medical care.
Al Arabiya
a day ago
- Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia cut workplace deaths by 75pct, created more health, safety jobs: Official
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'A major milestone was the ratification of ILO Convention No. 187,' said al-Fuwaiz, adding that the Kingdom is working toward ratifying Convention No. 155 as well. 'These commitments are reflected in real regulatory reforms.' Workforce development Training and workforce development are central to the plan. Saudi Arabia launched the Occupational Safety and Health Cadres Program to license professionals in the field and offers free online training in eight languages to expand access to safety education. 'This initiative aims to support the implementation and enforcement of occupational safety and health requirements in the workplace,' he said. Al-Fuwaiz also addressed global challenges, including climate-driven heat stress, mental health issues, and shifting labor patterns in the gig economy. 'The need for stronger workplace protections has never been clearer,' he said. 'Simply put, no one country can tackle these challenges alone.' Youth leading innovation Young people are also playing a leading role in innovation, he said. A hackathon hosted alongside this year's Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference attracted more than 1,000 participants from nine countries, with 465 project proposals submitted. 'More than 82 percent of the participants are under the age of 35,' he said. 'It's a great example of how fresh thinking and collaboration can lead to practical, high-impact solutions.' 'Through innovation and scale, Saudi Arabia is helping build a healthcare and labor system that is efficient, inclusive, and globally competitive,' al-Fuwaiz said. GOSH7 The official revealed the recent data at the seventh Global Occupational Safety and Health Conference (GOSH7) held in Riyadh in May. The conference brought together global experts, innovators, and policymakers to tackle emerging risks and promote sustainable workplace safety systems. 'GOSH7 provided an important platform to bring global expertise together, exchange ideas, and find real-world solutions to the challenges we all face,' the Secretary General of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health. 'Hosting this conference annually reflects our commitment to ensuring worker wellbeing remains at the heart of economic and social development,' al-Fuwaiz added. 'It also supports our Vision 2030 ambitions to build a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable economy.' This year's conference explored topics such as the impact of digitization and climate change on workplace safety, innovation in risk mitigation, and the economic benefits of investing in occupational health.
