Saudi Arabia sets sights on becoming leading digital economy

Saudi Arabia sets sights on becoming leading digital economy

RIYADH: Saudi Cabinet approval on Tuesday for the establishment of Digital Government Authority (DGA) proves the Kingdom's commitment to becoming a leading digital economy, experts said.

This will be achieved by adopting digital transformation in government services on a par with international standards, according to Mohammed Khurram Khan, a professor of cybersecurity at King Saud University, Riyadh.

"The newly approved authority will play an instrumental role in creating digital interactions, online platforms and electronic services between citizens to government, government to citizens, and government to businesses,“ he told Arab News. "Consequently, it will unify and improve the efficiency of government departments by providing transparent, secure and cost-effective services.“

The authority will help prepare a national e-government strategy, and organize the work of digital government, including platforms, websites, services and e-government networks.

Khan said that the step highlights the Kingdom's determination to have an integrated digital government with harmonized policies, strategies and regulations.

HIGHLIGHT

Digital Government Authority is responsible for building the national capabilities specialized in digital government to adopt and enable modern technologies, in addition to adopting policies related to the authority's activities, plans, programs and projects necessary for its implementation.

Osama Ghanem Al-Obaidy, an adviser and law professor at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh,