Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) CEO Khaled bin Hussain Biyari participated in the Saudi-US Business Opportunities Forum, which was organized by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in conjunction with the US-Saudi Business Council.

During the session on ICT as enabler for a knowledge-based society, Biyari spoke about the digital revolution the world is witnessing. He stressed the role of telecommunication companies in the digitalization of Saudi Arabia labeling it as fundamental to the national transformation program being implemented by the government.

Biyari asserted STC’s capabilities as a sector leader, highlighting its role on three levels: Enabling platforms, ICT infrastructure and innovation infrastructure, all of which serve to cater to market demand from different segments.

He also touched on the company’s efforts toward technological empowerment through investing in incubators.

The latest such venture was InspireU, which began operations in 2015 focusing on supporting innovation in IT and telecommunications and fostering initiatives across Saudi Arabia and the MENA region.

Biyari also shed light on STC’s massive investments to upgrade its network, including fiber optics, international marine cable alliances, and cloud services, all of which are designed to ensure optimum quality of service and provide customers with automated and efficient services.

Biyari said that in recent years, STC invested more than SR7 billion to develop its infrastructure.

Biyari stressed the importance of differentiating between consumer protection and market protection in order to stimulate and support investments in the sector.

The forum aims to bolster developmental and investment relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States, and allows those interested to benefit from success stories and existing opportunities to bolster commercial relations between the two countries. It does this via the presence of a large number of businessmen and by setting up a number of workshops and sessions covering vital sectors.