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Riyadh: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology of Saudi Arabia signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Technology of South Africa to promote the development of communications and information technology.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the memorandum of cooperation also aims to achieve technological development and expansion of the two countries’ markets in the information and communications sector.

The memorandum was reportedly signed by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Amer Sawa and South African Minister of Transport Fikiel Mbalula on the sidelines of the Saudi-South Africa Investment Forum in Jeddah.

As part of the agreement, the two countries will cooperate in various fields, including education, health, e-government, tourism, smart cities, fixed and wireless broadband, IP networks and data centers, Internet applications and wireless services, including satellite communications.

According to the memorandum, the two parties will also collaborate on a number of topics, including research and research, to promote joint investment projects in ICT infrastructure, digital communications and emerging technologies.

The two sides will also jointly formulate digital economy policy, research and development, innovation and cooperation in the fields of artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, cloud computing and digital government.

During the forum, Saudi Arabia and South Africa also signed 11 agreements and memorandums of understanding between the government and the private sector aimed at promoting the development of the investment sector.

The deals cover energy, water, green hydrogen, waste transfer, logistics and aerial survey services.

During the forum, Saudi Arabian Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih said that the kingdom is growing at the fastest rate among the G20 economies. It enjoys a strategic location linking three continents, with 1,200 kilometers of coastline along the Red Sea, through which about 15% of global trade passes.

Al-Falih also noted that Saudi Arabia’s trade with South Africa is growing. It has grown from $4.6 billion in 2019 to around $4.8 billion last year and is expected to exceed $5.3 billion in 2022.