Mohamed al-Shaibi: "The pandemic has reinforced the Saudi government's focus on its digital agenda and transformation"

Mohamed al-Shaibi, CEO of Tamkeen Technologies (a semi-public Saudi IT company), shared in his interview with Oxford Business Group his views on how the pandemic has boosted the country's digital initiatives, and how privacy and security issues are being addressed amidst the growing adoption of digital tools and services

To what extent has the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated Saudi Arabia's digital agenda? 

Saudi Arabia started working to build its digital economy a long time ago and its citizens enjoy the benefits of numerous e-government services. Government agencies that have a robust and advanced online offering have been able to interact more efficiently and actively with citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic, putting pressure on areas where improvements in e-government can be made. 

The pandemic has reinforced the government's focus on its digital agenda and transformation. This is particularly notable when it comes to improving and expanding internal communication within entities. For example, Saudi Arabia is taking important steps to facilitate the exchange of digital documents and transactions within government institutions. 

How are privacy and security issues being addressed in light of the increased use of digital solutions and online tools, and what areas of improvement are emerging as a result? 

Privacy and security have always been a priority for Saudi Arabia and will continue to be an area of focus and investment. The widely used electronic identification is an example of the government's efforts in this direction. Today, the local population uses their electronic identity to conduct digital transactions securely and quickly in all government services, as well as in sectors such as finance, healthcare and retail. The system has proven to be central to the Kingdom's digital journey.

That said, issues related to cyber-attacks and online security continue to evolve. Given the expanded use of online tools and solutions during the pandemic, both end-users and online service providers, whether public or private, must implement appropriate measures and mechanisms to eliminate potential threats.

How has the pandemic affected the development of local human capital? 

The pandemic has had an impact on the training and development of local human capital in the IT sector from a traditional educational perspective. However, we have seen an increase in the availability of non-traditional methods such as online training and blended specialised training facilities and programmes. These do not necessarily rely on the Ministry of Education and emphasise a hands-on approach to transferring knowledge, and have helped to significantly expand local skill sets. 

What entities have contributed to the development of the local ICT ecosystem and what investment opportunities could emerge in this post-pandemic area?

The Saudi ICT sector has received substantial support in recent years, and especially during the pandemic. This, in turn, has encouraged companies to invest more in their IT infrastructure and equipment. Several groups have supported the development of the ICT ecosystem, the first of which is the government. Indeed, the executive is focused on generating efficiencies through data centre consolidation, as well as increasing productivity through the implementation of cloud solutions in public institutions. 

Government-owned IT companies also contribute by serving government customers and the business community at large. Small and medium-sized enterprises, which require more attention as they have been particularly affected by the pandemic, and multinational companies, which bring global expertise, best practices and high standards to the Kingdom, are also involved.  

The investment opportunities in this environment are significant. Facilitating collaboration and cooperation within the ecosystem will help strengthen these opportunities, with a clear and positive impact on the local market. This will help Saudi companies grow and potentially become unicorns, while at the same time positioning the country as a leading global provider of IT solutions.