Page 51 - SAMENA Trends - October 2021

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Winners of Internet of Things (IoT) The Communications and Information

Technology Commission (CITC) and Monshaat Challenge Announced.

The Communications and Information Technology
Commission (CITC) announced the winners of the Internet
of Things (IoT) challenge, organized in partnership with
the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority's
(Monshaat) Thakaa Center. The announcement was
made at a ceremony attended by His Excellency the
Governor of CITC, Dr. Muhammad bin Saud Al-Tamimi
and the Governor of Monshaat, Eng. Saleh bin Ibrahim
Al-Rasheed. Winning first place was Firnas Aero winning
an SR200,000 prize for presenting an innovative product
in “Transportation and Logistics” path, In second place
was iOcean winning SR150,000 for their innovation in
“Improve Quality of Life” path, In third place, winning
SR100,000 was Qinwan for their innovation in “Green and
Smart Buildings” path. Commenting on this occasion
was Deputy Governor for Information Technology and
Emerging Technologies at CITC, Raed Al-Fayez. He noted
that the projects submitted in the challenge, in their various
tracks, highlight the extent to which our national cadres
possess ideas and innovations. "With unlimited support
by our wise leadership, innovators can keep pace with
the Kingdom's aspirations in innovation and strengthen
the technology sector," he added. The challenge is one of
the authority's initiatives to enable entrepreneurs to put
forward smart solutions that will equip them to develop
innovative products based on the IoT in the areas most
in need, added Al-Fayez. This will further enable them to
keep pace with the acceleration of innovation in emerging
technologies in the Kingdom through unique, innovative
ways to lead Saudi companies, contributing to achieving
the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals. From his part, the
Vice Governor of Monashaat for Entrepreneurship,
Eng. Abdulmajeed Al-Omrani said that the digital
transformation has contributed to the development of
digital infrastructure. It has improved the quality of life,
facilitated access to services, and raised their efficiency.
IoT-based technologies have provided incredible
opportunities in the ongoing development phase we're
experiencing, giving tremendous opportunities for
many new innovative solutions. Al-Omrani added that
the objectives of the IoT challenge intersects with the
strategic objectives of Monshaat and CITC by spreading
a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. "Through
this challenge, we strive to increase the number of IoT
startup companies, find solutions to address existing
challenges and create new economic opportunities, while
encouraging local talents to innovate," said Al-Omrani .
He added that Monshaat is keen on promoting innovation
and developing the Kingdom's science and technology aims to enable entrepreneurs to design smart solutions, provide innovative
fields and products to support the transformation into a products based on IoT technologies in the areas most in need of them.
knowledge society, encouraging innovative and talented The challenge also encourages national talents to increase the number of
developers and entrepreneurs in scientific, technical, and technology companies in IoT, find solutions to address the challenges in
intellectual areas. It is noteworthy that the IoT challenge the area, and create new economic opportunities.

51 OCTOBER 2021