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Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Cabinet reviews planned Mabarak Hospital upgrade, Ahmadi project
Communication Minister notes Kuwait tops global tech index for second year KUWAIT: The Kuwaiti Cabinet on Tuesday discussed key plans by the Ministry of Health to convert the Ahmadi health zone into a fully integrated medical city and expand Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, raising its operational efficiency as part of a broader push to improve the country's healthcare system. During its weekly meeting at Bayan Palace, chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Cabinet reviewed a detailed presentation by Health Minister Dr Ahmad Al-Awadhi and senior ministry officials outlining the ministry's future strategy. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Shereeda Abdullah Al-Mousherji, the presentation covered 'the transformation of the Ahmadi health area into a comprehensive medical city and the expansion and operational enhancement of Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital,' along with ongoing efforts to recruit medical and technical personnel and address administrative and technical challenges. Dr Al-Awadhi emphasized the ministry's commitment to 'continuing the implementation of its strategic plan in partnership with relevant stakeholders to ensure the delivery of advanced and sustainable healthcare services.' The Cabinet praised the minister, his leadership team, and ministry staff for their efforts to improve service quality across hospitals and clinics, saying these steps reflect Kuwait's growing strength in the medical field. ICT milestone The Cabinet also took note of an Amiri decree (No. 149 of 2025) accepting the resignation of Finance Minister and Minister of State for Economic Affairs and Investment Noura Al-Fassam, and a second decree (No. 150 of 2025) appointing Dr Sabeeh Al-Mukhaizeem as Acting Minister in those roles in addition to his current post as Minister of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy. In response, the Cabinet expressed its 'deep appreciation' to Al-Fassam for her dedicated service and wished her continued health and well-being. In another presentation, Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar and officials from the Central Agency for Information Technology showcased Kuwait's performance in global telecommunications and IT indices. Al-Omar highlighted that Kuwait ranked first globally in the ICT Development Index (IDI) for 2024, issued by the International Telecommunication Union—for the second year running. He said the achievement reflects Kuwait's strong digital infrastructure and leadership in adopting modern technologies. The Cabinet commended Al-Omar and relevant government bodies for driving forward the country's digital strategy, aiming to secure a 'progressive and sustainable digital future.' — KUNA
Morocco World
26-07-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Akhannouch: Expanding Telecom Access Nationwide Is a National Priority
Rabat – Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, emphasized on Friday the urgent need to accelerate the expansion of telecommunications networks across the country, calling it a vital national priority that can no longer be delayed. Speaking at the board meeting of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) in Rabat, Akhannouch highlighted that, despite the progress achieved by telecom operators and regulatory bodies, large segments of the population — particularly in rural and mountainous regions — still lack reliable access to telecommunications services. 'Ensuring access to quality telecom services for all citizens is no longer optional — it is a pressing need that requires immediate action,' Akhannouch stated, underlining the role of connectivity in reducing regional and digital inequalities. He urged the ANRT and relevant ministries to identify underserved areas and work together to rapidly deploy telecom infrastructure that meets the needs of those communities. The government stands ready to fully support these efforts and mobilize the necessary resources to close the digital gap, he argued. Akhannouch also reaffirmed Morocco's commitment to a comprehensive digital transformation, guided by the national 'Morocco Digital 2030' strategy. He stressed that universal access to high-speed internet and digital tools is crucial for inclusive socio-economic development and for keeping pace with global technological shifts. Beyond service 'Telecommunications is not just a service — it's a driver of national development,' he said. 'It supports job creation, improves competitiveness across sectors, and lays the foundation for sustainable, inclusive growth.' He noted that Morocco has already made major strides, with over 57 million mobile subscribers and nearly 40 million internet users. These achievements have placed Morocco among the top-performing African countries in the International Telecommunication Union's ICT Development Index. Looking ahead, Akhannouch said that Morocco must be ready to meet the demands of upcoming international events it will host, including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, by strengthening its telecom infrastructure and internet coverage. He confirmed that efforts are underway to connect more than 5.2 million households by 2030 through expanded fiber optic networks and high-speed internet access. In addition, the rollout of 5G is in progress, with tender procedures already launched to introduce the technology in key cities. Akhannouch concluded by commending the efforts of telecom operators who continue to invest and innovate in the sector. He called on all stakeholders to remain committed to building a more connected, digitally inclusive Morocco. Despite significant progress in expanding telecommunications infrastructure, Morocco still has many remote villages, particularly in mountainous and rural areas, that remain without basic connectivity or internet access. These underserved regions face ongoing challenges in accessing essential digital services, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive network coverage to ensure that all citizens benefit equally from the country's digital transformation efforts. Tags: akhannouchConnectivitymorocco ANRT
Saudi Gazette
10-07-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
At Geneva World Summit, Saudi Arabia highlights great strides in digital leadership
Saudi Gazette report GENEVA — Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Acting Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Haytham AlOhali highlighted, while attending the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, Saudi Arabia's great strides in digital leadership. Speaking before senior officials and experts representing 194 countries, he reaffirmed the Kingdom's dedication in supporting the summit's goals and enhancing the role of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in fostering inclusive and sustainable digital communities. AlOhali showcased Saudi Arabia's progress in advancing the ITU's strategic objectives, referencing key global indicators that reflect the Kingdom's success in the digital domain. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia ranked first globally in the ICT Development Index issued by ITU, reflecting the ongoing development in the ICT sector. He noted that Saudi Arabia is now among the global leaders in providing digital government services and has achieved sixth place globally in the UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI) in 2024. The deputy minister showcased the Kingdom's robust ICT infrastructure, as the digital economy reached $132 billion in 2024, representing 15 percent of the GDP and half of the region's digital economy. During the AI World Summit, AlOhali also participated in the "Crafting a well-balanced, pro-innovation regulatory framework" session, during which he emphasized that the foundation of a sustainable AI ecosystem lies in investing in human capital, infrastructure, and clear standards. "Today, we possess the largest technical workforce in the region, comprising over 381,000 specialists, with an annual growth rate of 8.8 percent compared to 350,000 in 2023. We began our journey in 2018 with an investment exceeding $25 billion in digital infrastructure in partnership with the private sector, which enabled the Kingdom to top the 2025 ICT Development Index," he said. AlOhali noted that Saudi Arabia is scaling up its investments through strategic alliances with major global AI companies, including AMD, AWS, and Qualcomm, in addition to a strategic partnership with NVIDIA to establish a 500MW data center. 'The launch of 'Humain' marks the creation of a regional and global AI powerhouse, backed by robust infrastructure and cloud computing. These initiatives reflect the Kingdom's strong commitment to fostering a thriving AI ecosystem and reinforcing its position as a global hub for sustainable innovation,' he added.
Leaders
10-07-2025
- Business
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia Showcases Digital Leadership at WSIS 2025
During the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in Geneva, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia highlighted its advancements in digital transformation and reaffirmed its strong commitment to supporting the summit's goals. The Kingdom also emphasized its active role in enhancing the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) mission of building inclusive and sustainable digital communities worldwide. Strong Representation, Strategic Vision Saudi Arabia's delegation was led by Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology and Acting Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST), Haytham AlOhali. Addressing officials and digital experts from 194 countries, AlOhali shared the Kingdom's success in advancing ITU's strategic objectives and presented key indicators reflecting its global digital achievements. Leading in Global Digital Rankings AlOhali highlighted that Saudi Arabia ranked first globally on the ITU's ICT Development Index, underscoring the country's rapid progress in the ICT sector. He also noted that the Kingdom secured sixth place globally in the 2024 United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI), reflecting its leadership in delivering digital government services. Digital Economy Growth, Infrastructure Investment The Vice Minister emphasized the strength of Saudi Arabia's digital infrastructure, noting that the Kingdom's digital economy reached $132 billion in 2024—accounting for 15% of GDP and representing half of the region's total digital economy. He also discussed the nation's early investment efforts, which began in 2018 with over $25 billion channeled into digital infrastructure through public-private partnerships. These efforts helped position the Kingdom at the top of the 2025 ICT Development Index. Commitment to AI, Pro-Innovation Policies During the AI for Good Global Summit, AlOhali participated in the session titled 'Crafting a Well-Balanced, Pro-Innovation Regulatory Framework.' He stressed that building a sustainable AI ecosystem requires robust investment in human capital, infrastructure, and the establishment of clear standards. He revealed that Saudi Arabia now boasts the largest technical workforce in the region, with more than 381,000 specialists in 2024—an 8.8% annual growth from 350,000 in 2023. Strategic Partnerships in AI, Emerging Technologies To accelerate AI adoption, Saudi Arabia is expanding its partnerships with leading global tech firms such as AMD, AWS, Qualcomm, and NVIDIA. A major milestone includes a strategic collaboration with NVIDIA to develop a 500MW data center, a key enabler of large-scale AI applications. Additionally, the Kingdom launched 'Humain,' a new initiative aimed at creating a regional and global AI powerhouse, backed by advanced infrastructure and cloud computing capabilities. These developments reflect Saudi Arabia's determination to position itself as a global center for sustainable innovation in AI and digital technologies. Related Topics: Participants of International AI Olympiad Undergo Theoretical, Practical Tests Saudi Arabia Hosts Inaugural Edition of International AI Olympiad Saudi Delegation Awaits ISEF 2025 Results Short link : Post Views: 6
Saudi Gazette
04-07-2025
- Business
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia tops global ICT Development Index for 2025
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has secured the top global ranking in the 2025 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ICT Development Index, which assesses the digital progress of 164 countries across universal and effective connectivity. The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) confirmed the Kingdom's leading position, crediting it to sustained national efforts in strengthening competitiveness and driving sustainable growth in the ICT sector. The CST highlighted that Saudi Arabia's advanced digital infrastructure has been instrumental in enabling the expansion of its digital economy, which reached SR459 billion in 2024, contributing 15% to the gross domestic product (GDP). The Kingdom's ICT market, valued at SR180 billion in 2024, is the largest and fastest growing in the Middle East and North Africa. The country also recorded a mobile subscription penetration rate of 212% and monthly data usage per user three times higher than the global average.
