Saudi Arabia highlights infrastructure growth in Paris

Saudi Arabia highlights infrastructure growth in Paris
CEO of the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority Khaled Alkhattaf speaks at the Paris Infraweek, running from Nov. 3 to 7. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia highlights infrastructure growth in Paris

Saudi Arabia highlights infrastructure growth in Paris

RIYADH: CEO of the Saudi Investment Promotion Authority Khaled Alkhattaf led the Kingdom’s delegation as the guest of honor at the opening of Paris Infraweek, running from Nov. 3 to 7.

At the annual international event in the French capital, Alkhattaf highlighted the growing global significance of Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure sector.

In his address, Alkhattaf reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening its role as a regional and global leader in infrastructure development, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

He outlined the ambitious transformation driven by Vision 2030, which promotes innovation, sustainability, and international collaboration, with a focus on attracting foreign investment and advancing mega-development projects.

Alkhattaf said that Saudi Arabia plans to invest about $1 trillion in infrastructure over the coming years, covering sectors such as communications, information technology, healthcare, education, and industrial zones.

He noted that 50 percent of this investment will target key areas, including energy, water, and transportation, the SPA added.

During the event, the Saudi delegation presented the Kingdom’s infrastructure strategy and explored investment opportunities in key sectors such as railways and major projects.

They also discussed avenues for enhanced cooperation ahead of major events like Expo 2030 in Riyadh and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Alkhattaf and his team held meetings with international officials to strengthen economic ties, promote mutual investment, and expand collaboration across sectors.


Japan, Saudi Arabia foster gaming talent through Tokyo bootcamp

Japan, Saudi Arabia foster gaming talent through Tokyo bootcamp
Updated 58 min 16 sec ago
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Japan, Saudi Arabia foster gaming talent through Tokyo bootcamp

Japan, Saudi Arabia foster gaming talent through Tokyo bootcamp
  • Sessions cover design, scenario writing, sound, esports
  • Best industry training ever received, say 10 participants

TOKYO: Emerging Saudi Arabia gamers recently received specialized training at a “Japan Game Business Bootcamp” in Tokyo.

The program was run by the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East, in partnership with the Saudi Digital Academy under the Kingdom’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

The three-week JCCME program ran from Oct. 13 to 31, bringing together 10 developers, including four women, selected by the SDA for their ambition to turn professional.

The bootcamp aimed to equip participants, who had already mastered the basics of game creation, with the technical and business skills needed to work independently. Training was led by leading figures from Japan’s game development and business sectors.

The 2025 edition was officially recognized as a commemorative event marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Saudi Arabia.

With support from the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Japan, the program concluded with a final pitch session attended by the Kingdom’s ambassador Dr. Ghazi Faisal Binzagr, during which participants presented their own game projects.

Entertainment is a key pillar of the Japan–Saudi Vision 2030 plan, developed by both governments.

In line with this framework, Saudi Arabia launched its National Gaming and Esports Strategy in 2022, identifying the industry as a major national growth sector.

To support this goal, the JCCME, working with Ludimus Inc., created the bootcamp to tap into Japan’s gaming expertise and train the next generation of Saudi creators.

The three-week course combined lectures, studio visits, and hands-on mentoring.

Twenty sessions covered topics including game design, development planning, XR games, scenario writing, sound design and esports.

Instructors included producers of hit Japanese titles, virtual reality pioneers and university lecturers, sparking lively exchanges between participants and mentors.

The developers toured leading Japanese gaming companies and startups, gaining firsthand insight into the country’s creative ecosystem and meeting professionals behind global hits.

Participants refined their own game projects throughout the program. On the final day, they pitched their games and business plans at the Saudi Embassy in Tokyo.

Feedback from the participants was overwhelmingly positive.

“I learned about the history of the Japanese gaming industry and how to collaborate with it,” said one participant.

“The best experience was visiting the studios and talking directly to developers,” another added.

Others described the program as the best training they had received, praising both the technical insights and the networking opportunities it provided.

This article also appears on Arab News Japan