The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced the conclusion of preparations for its biggest ever participation at GITEX Technology Week that will run from 16-20 October 2016 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Dr. Tariq bin Abdullah Al-Shaddi, Director General of the National Information Center (NIC) stated that government online services and smart solutions are the foundation of the future federal governments and the structures to accomplish financial development and social development.

" KSA and the UAE have moved rapidly to embrace and carry out advanced smart solutions in several government activities and transactions. Both countries have already experienced considerable accomplishments and favorable results in the field of online services and advanced solutions and future strategies more indicate that they are already amongst the most positive governments in the region and worldwide," he added.

" GITEX Technology Week represents the very best platform to exchange expertise and knowledge in between the Kingdom's emerging innovation sector and government entities with its GCC-- particularly UAE- peers." He highlighted the event as "the opportunity to enhance cooperation and coordination between the two governments in this field and the positive effects of this on the business environments, citizens and residents of both countries Dr. Al-Shaddi said.

The Saudi Interior Ministry is considered a leader in online services and smart solutions, and it currently supplies such services to countless users that includes residents, locals and business owners. "Online services related traffic reached more than 88 million transactions, consisting of renewal of licenses and transfer of ownership and confirmation of automobile information and the owner of the vehicle. Additionally, the Directorate General of passports completed more than 1.3 million transactions including the issuance of new passports in addition to restoring existing ones," Dr. Al-Shaddi described.

The Ministry of Interior recently revealed in a press conference held in Riyadh that it became GITEX Technology Week's Official Country Partner. The size of the participation shows the Kingdom's ambitious digital improvement strategies that are essential parts of Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Programme 2020 which target at diversifying the economy and enhancing its international competitiveness.