The Saudi Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has entered into an agreement with tech giant Nokia to launch a research and development unit to create software in Saudi Arabia.
The cooperation aims to establish a Nokia software development unit and Bell Labs research unit in Saudi Arabia. In addition, it envisages the establishment of a maintenance centre for base station components.
The centre will primarily serve Saudi Arabia, with a possibility to cover Gulf countries in the future. Additionally, local talent development training programs and collaboration programs in 5G and IoT will be established.
Under the agreement, Nokia experts will provide ICT consultancy services, with a focus on accelerating the digital transformation of the energy sector.
Additionally, the cooperation aims to train young talent in digital technologies to indigenise software industry and develop local content. It will also establish two research and software development units for developing high-quality products by the company in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement has been signed by Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Haitham Bin Abdul-Rahman Al-Ohali, and Amr K El Leithy, head of the Middle East and Africa Market, Nokia, in the presence of Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Bin Amer Alswaha and Rajeev Suri, the president and CEO of Nokia.
