Saudi Arabia will host a new technology conference and exhibition known as Leap, with the inaugural event taking place in February next year.
The event has been backed by a number of government organisations, including the kingdom's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), according to organisers Informa Tech.
“Leap will be the most iconic and seismic tech event for a generation … where East meets West and tech innovation meets investment,” Abdullah Amer Al-Swaha, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, said.
He said the event, which starts on February 1, will contribute to the kingdom's goal of boosting the information and communication technology (ICT) sector’s contribution to the kingdom’s gross domestic product by 50 per cent to 50 billion Saudi riyals (Dh48.9bn / $13.3bn) over the next five years.
Overall spending on ICT in Saudi Arabia is set to reach $37 billion (Dh135.8bn) this year, up 2.4 per cent on 2019, according to International Data Corporation figures.
The event, which takes place at the new Riyadh Front Exhibition Centre, will have 14 areas displaying innovations in sectors such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, 3D printing, smart mobility, unmanned systems, quantum computing, FinTech and 5G.
Part of the event will also be dedicated towards start-ups, with a 'Pitch Stage' allowing new businesses to present their ideas to investors, and a 'Leap Investors Club' featuring venture capitalists, government accelerators and incubators, family officers and angel investors, according to Informa Tech.
Start-ups in the kingdom secured $95 million (Dh348.8m) in funding during the first six months of 2020, more than doubling the amount raised in the first half of 2019, data platform Magnitt said in its Saudi Arabia Venture Capital report last month.
“Leap will be where the Saudi government, sovereign and privately-held wealth funds will purchase pilot technology before anyone anywhere else in the world,” said Carolyn Dawson, managing director of Informa Tech.
“Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf is brimming with many of the most powerful investment funds in the world. Leap will unlock access to these funds to ignite innovation,” Ms Dawson added.
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
HAJJAN
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The Limehouse Golem
Director: Juan Carlos Medina
Cast: Olivia Cooke, Bill Nighy, Douglas Booth
Three stars
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
