RIYADH: A strategic cooperation agreement has been signed between Saudi Research and Marketing Group (SRMG) and the World Association of Newspapers (WAN-IFRA).

Under the deal, WAN-IFRA would assist with SRMG’s current and future projects, including new media and the group’s local and global expansion plans. SRMG’s Managing Director Azzam Al-Dakhil and WAN-IFRA President Tomas Brunegård signed the agreement at SRMG’s headquarters in Riyadh recently.

Al-Dakhil said WAN-IFRA has a great deal of expertise in all aspects of the media industry, and would be the ideal partner as the SRMG embarks on its plans to add further quality to its wide array of products.

Al-Dakhil said the group plans to ensure it keeps up to date with rapid changes in the industry, including providing multimedia content on new platforms such as mobile phones.

Brunegård said WAN-IFRA was keen to develop the media industry across the globe, and that there were many opportunities to develop new markets in the region, which would necessitate training of people.

According to the agreement, the two sides would work closely to boost content with videos and info-graphics. WAN-IFRA also plans to launch specially designed training programs for staff of the group.

WAN-IFRA represents more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 websites and more than 3,000 companies from 120 countries, while SRMG is one of the largest media companies in the Middle East and North Africa engaged mainly in publishing newspapers and magazines.

SRMG has played a pioneering role in the region. Its most important publications are Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Eqtisadiah, Arab News, Sayidaty and Al-Majalla.