Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha met with Saudi scholarship students in the Republic of Korea as part of his commitment to engaging with national talent and encouraging them to contribute to shaping the future of the digital economy and advanced technologies.
During the meeting, Alswaha emphasized that investing in national talent is a cornerstone of strengthening the Kingdom’s global competitiveness. He highlighted the vital role of Saudi scholarship students in advancing knowledge transfer, localizing advanced technologies, and developing national capabilities in artificial intelligence and future technologies, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
The meeting featured an open dialogue with the students, during which they shared their academic aspirations and educational journeys, while discussing promising opportunities to leverage international expertise and experiences and enhance their contribution to the Kingdom’s technology innovation ecosystem and digital entrepreneurship.
The meeting took place as part of the minister’s visit to the Republic of Korea, which aims to expand partnerships with leading government entities and global technology companies, develop national capabilities, and reinforce the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for the digital economy and artificial intelligence.

Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Alswaha, accompanied by Governor of the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) Haytham AlOhali, held a series of meetings in the Republic of Korea with ministers and leaders of investment and technology companies to strengthen Saudi–Korean partnerships and expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, the digital economy, technology investment, and digital government services.
Alswaha met with Korean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon to discuss strengthening Saudi–Korean cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and digital infrastructure, supporting the development of a competitive digital economy and reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for artificial intelligence.
He also met with Korean Minister of the Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung to strengthen cooperation in the development of integrated government platforms, digital identity, and the application of artificial intelligence to enhance government services, as well as to strengthen the partnership between the Digital Government Authority and the Korean ministry.
Alswaha also met with Founder and CEO of APL Ventures Albert Lee to discuss investment opportunities and partnerships with Saudi startups, supporting their growth and global expansion, while exploring investment opportunities in the Saudi market to strengthen the integration of the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems between the Kingdom and global markets.
These meetings build on the Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to expand its international partnerships with governments, technology companies, and investors, attract high-value investments, strengthen technological innovation, and accelerate the transition toward a digital economy powered by artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), in collaboration with the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), continues to accept applications for the TamkeenProgram, which aims to support micro, small, and medium-sized technology companies in retaining Saudi talent and strengthening workforce stability to support business growth and long-term sustainability.

The program provides financial incentives to support the retention of Saudi professionals in a range of critical technology roles, helping companies retain national talent and foster stable, motivating work environments that contribute to the growth of the technology sector.

Tamkeen adopts an incentive-based support model spanning 18 months across three phases, with total support of up to SAR 86,000 per eligible employee. The program covers a range of technology specializations, including software development, network engineering, data science, and cybersecurity.

MCIT invited eligible companies to apply and benefit from the program through the National Technology Development Program (NTDP) online platform, contributing to the sustainability of national talent, enhancing the competitiveness of technology companies, and supporting the continued growth of the digital economy in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.

https://ntdp.gov.sa/tamkeen