Saudi Arabia today announced Ignite, a new program for digital content creation 
and production, new investments and support for next generation connectivity 
and communications infrastructure; and a partnership that will see Trend Micro 
open its regional headquarters in Riyadh. The announcements were made at 
LEAP22, the global technology platform taking place in Riyadh.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1739395/Ignite.jpg 

The new program and investments are all part of Saudi Arabia's plans to 
accelerate its digital ecosystem and leverage its position in the MENA region 
to become a leading international digital economy.

IGNITE

The Digital Content Council announced Ignite, a new program that will transform 
Saudi Arabia into a leading digital entertainment and media production hub. The 
program aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem which will attract digital 
content companies and grow the local media and content creation sector.

Ignite aims to triple Saudi Arabia's digital content market size in gaming, 
audio, video and advertising. The program is backed by a US$1.1 billion 
investment, with incentives including financial support for local, regional and 
international companies and start-ups; infrastructure development; talent 
development programs and improved policy and regulations. 

The program includes funds to support the local film and games industries. 
Saudi Arabia will also enhance intellectual property protection measures and 
offer a one-stop-shop to streamline processes for investors.

CITC WiFi 6E LAUNCH AND LEO SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY

The Kingdom announced the launch of WiFi 6E, supported by the largest amount of 
spectrum available for WiFi of any country worldwide. The combination of 
state-of-the-art technology and record amount of spectrum will allow Saudi 
Arabia to benefit from the fastest achievable WiFi speeds globally (2.4 Gbps). 
Enabling this advanced connectivity is expected to quadruple WiFi's overall 
contribution to Saudi Arabia's GDP rising from US$4.7 billion in 2021 to more 
than US$18 billion by 2030.

The Kingdom's WiFi upgrade is supported with other initiatives, including the 
first regional trial of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology to extend 
reliable coverage to remote areas of the Kingdom. CITC will also hold a 
frequency auction during the first half of this year, a development which is 
likely to place Saudi first globally for spectrum available to 5G networks.

TREND MICRO ANNOUNCES LOCAL DATA LAKE AND OPENS ITS RIYADH HQ

Trend Micro announced the opening of its regional Middle East & Africa (MEA) 
headquarters in Riyadh, a security data lake, a cybersecurity center of 
excellence and other investments in Saudi Arabia totaling over US$50 million. 
The investments aim to amplify Trend Micro's continued commitment to protect 
public and private organizations in the Kingdom and across the entire region.

LEAP is set to become the world's largest debut technology platform, putting a 
spotlight on the global innovation ecosystem, connecting pioneers and 
disruptors with business and government leaders, entrepreneurs and investors to 
experience and learn about the technologies of the future.


SOURCE  LEAP22