News

Cisco Boosts Investment & Digitization In Saudi Arabia

The tech giant unveiled plans for a new regional headquarters in Riyadh and announced the third phase of its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) Program.

Published

9 months ago

March 5, 2024

Nour Nasir

cisco boosts investment and digitization in saudi arabia

At LEAP 2024, digital communications technology giant Cisco revealed new strategic initiatives in Saudi Arabia that will grow the company’s long standing presence in the region and reaffirm its commitment to local customers. Based on a Regional Headquarters license issued by the Ministry of Investment in 2023, Cisco unveiled plans for a new regional head office in Riyadh and the beginning of the third phase of its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) Program.

HE Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Haitham bin Abdul Rahman Al-Ohali commented: “Technology is a key enabler in achieving the Saudi Vision 2030. Investments of global tech players like Cisco play a crucial role in strengthening our technology landscape, [bringing] the Kingdom forward on its path to a diversified, knowledge-based economy”.

As well as a brand new headquarters, Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) Program will align with the goals of the Saudi Research and Development National Strategy, focusing on Health and Wellness, Sustainable Environment & Affordable Supply of Essential Needs, Energy & Industrial Leadership, and Economies of the Future.

First launched in Saudi Arabia in 2016, the CDA program has supported digitization and helped to develop innovation in sectors including healthcare, education, smart cities, and government digitization. Cisco has now trained over 335,000 people in the Kingdom on cybersecurity, programming, and networking while also collaborating with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Authority for Data and Artificial Intelligence (SDAIA), and Vision 2030 Giga Projects.

Also Read: Fintech In The UAE Is Set To Add $900 Per Capita By 2030

“Today’s announcements reinforce Cisco’s commitment to support the digital ecosystem in Saudi Arabia,” explained Salman Faqeeh, Managing Director, Cisco Saudi Arabia. “I am proud of what we have achieved through our longstanding presence in the Kingdom and via our active programs like CDA and Cisco Networking Academy, and I am looking forward to more milestones. With our technologies spanning every IT and business objective, from networking to security, collaboration, monitoring, application development, and more, Cisco continues to be at the heart of driving digitization together with our customers and partners”.

News

1,000 Drones Light The Dubai Sky For AC Milan Celebration

Cyberdrone’s groundbreaking display marked 125 years of AC Milan football club and the 1st-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.

Published

20 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Nour Nasir

Cyberdrone, a leading UAV display company based in Dubai, put on a breathtaking drone light show on Monday to honor two significant football milestones: AC Milan’s 125th anniversary and the one-year anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai.

The spectacle involved 1,000 drones working in perfect harmony to project AC Milan’s iconic imagery against the city’s night sky. Highlights included the UAVs synchronizing to form the club’s iconic crest, the signature red and black jersey, and a special emblem marking its 125th year. The intricate performance demanded meticulous planning, not just in terms of choreography, but also in dealing with the necessary permits and logistics.

cyberdrone ac milan dubai

“Our goal was to spotlight AC Milan’s legacy through a stunning visual narrative,” explained Mohamed Munjed Abdulla, Director of Sales at Cyberdrone. “We celebrated the club’s history, its Dubai milestone, and the universal love for football. The show also enhanced AC Milan’s regional presence, growing its fanbase through a cutting-edge, memorable experience. Drone shows are unparalleled in leaving lasting impressions, making them perfect for driving partnerships and growth”.

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Greta Nardeschi, AC Milan’s Regional Director for MENA, echoed the sentiment, adding: “Collaborating with Cyberdrone for this 1,000-drone performance allowed us to connect with our fans in innovative ways. It gave us a unique opportunity to surprise and inspire audiences while elevating our Club’s visibility and that of our partners. Cyberdrone truly helped us take AC Milan to new heights”.

This groundbreaking drone display sets a new benchmark for the Middle East’s sports sector, which already contributes around $2.4 billion annually to Dubai’s GDP alone. Sporting events also generate $1.76 billion in revenues across the region, while the MENA’s entertainment sector, valued at $41.13 billion, is growing at 9.41% annually, driven by rapid technological advancements.