News

HP Invests In Saudi Tech, AI, And Education To Boost Regional Growth

The tech giant is committed to expanding local manufacturing, AI R&D, and education initiatives, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program.

Published

1 year ago

February 12, 2025

Nour Nasir

hp invests in saudi tech ai and education to boost regional growth

Global tech manufacturer HP is doubling down on its commitment to Saudi Arabia with a series of strategic initiatives known as “Made in Saudi”. The investments align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and focus on technology manufacturing, artificial intelligence, research & development, and education.

One of the company’s key moves is the establishment of a large manufacturing facility in Riyadh, aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia’s tech industry. Additionally, HP is launching an AI and R&D Center of Excellence (CoE) in Dhahran, designed to give the Kingdom a competitive edge in the global tech market. The center will drive advancements in data analysis, robotic process automation, and smarter decision-making.

HP is also prioritizing education, rolling out multiple programs to help develop the skills of young Saudis. By 2027, the company aims to create thousands of new jobs, giving local talent a vital role in the country’s economic transformation away from the oil sector.

“At HP, we see tremendous potential in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have made strategic AI investments to fuel further growth in the region,” said Enrique Lores, President and CEO of HP Inc. “Building on our trusted brand and the strength of our portfolio, we are committing to manufacturing, education, and research initiatives that drive innovation and help expand HP’s global reach, bringing even greater opportunity to the MEA region”.

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A strong network of government partnerships has also helped HP roll out several global education initiatives, such as the HP Cambridge EdTech Fellowship and HP IDEA. So far, the programs have benefited over 600,000 people, and by 2027, they are expected to reach more than 6 million students and teachers in Saudi Arabia.

HP also continues to back the Kingdom’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy (NGES). In June 2024, the company opened the HP Gaming Garage Lab at the Saudi Electronic University, shortly after, HP’s online courses earned micro-degree status from the National eLearning Centre (NeLC) and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).

HP’s significant investments in Saudi Arabia show a considerable commitment to the Kingdom’s digital transformation, and will surely help to boost the company’s presence across the wider Middle East.

News

Syria Just Got Its First Super App Featuring Built-In Digital Payments

Built by UAE-based Syrian founders with the Ministry of Tourism’s backing, My Syria lands as visitor numbers more than double.

Published

5 days ago

August 1, 2026

Nour Nasir

syria just got its first super app featuring built-in digital payments

For most of the past decade, paying for anything in Syria with an international card was effectively impossible. Sanctions, a collapsed banking sector, and years of isolation left the country running on cash. That is what makes the launch of My Syria — the country’s first super app — more than a routine product announcement.

Developed by 121 Living, a company founded by four UAE-based Syrian entrepreneurs — Rami Kaiem, Feras Kaiem, Waseem Qudmani, and Kinan Madi — the app launched in Damascus on July 30 under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani. It bundles hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, food delivery, and other lifestyle services into a single platform, currently offering eight services with plans to expand to more than 40 verified tourism and hospitality providers across the country.

Although the app already sounds enticing, the headline feature is its built-in payments. My Syria is the first platform in Syria to support cross-border digital payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — familiar tools for international visitors, and a route into the digital economy for local businesses that have long operated outside it.

my syria super app launch event

The launch rides on a sharp rebound for the troubled country. Syria’s tourism sector recorded 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 111 percent increase over the 1.67 million during the same period in 2025 — a mix of returning expatriates, regional visitors, and international tourists.

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The Ministry of Tourism, which supported and supervised the app’s development, frames the launch as proof of concept for a wider strategy. “Digital transformation is one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities because it enables us to build a more competitive, connected and investment-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said, inviting technology companies “globally, regionally and locally” to explore opportunities across the wider economy.

For 121 Living, this is phase one, with additional services and expanded geographic coverage planned. Whether a super app can flourish in a market still rebuilding its infrastructure is an open question, but for the first time in years, a visitor to Damascus can pay for dinner with their phone.