Spotlight on smart business connectivity for Jeddah

26/05/2015 01:17 AST

A smart security and emergency services system, smart solutions to a cleaner environment, smart technology and a smart business connectivity for Jeddah are some of the issues under the spotlight at a two-day “3rd Smart Cities Forum” which opened here on Monday.

The event is being held under the auspices of Prince Mishaal bin Majed, governor of Jeddah, and Abdul Lateef Al-Asheikh, minister for municipal and rural affairs.

Officials of the Jeddah Municipality and global ICT solutions provider Huawei are among the august gathering.

The forum has been organized under the slogan “Toward A Smart City” is being attended by more than 30 international and regional experts to discuss the development of Jeddah in particular and Kingdom in general.

Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras said that Jeddah Municipality is keen to develop services and facilities for the residents and visitors and the aim of the forum is a platform to share experiences to help the municipalities across Saudi Arabia to take smart city initiatives.

Arwa Yousuf Alaama, assistant sectary for information technology, said the forum aims at knowing ways for providing best services and facilities to residents.

“The Jeddah Municipality has drawn up a development plan for the next two decades. It includes special projects for sub-regional, structural and local areas, framework for the future of Jeddah, policies, objectives and initiatives to transform Jeddah into a modern city with a high quality of life,” she said.

Safder Nazir, regional vice president of smart cities and IoT at Huawei, said that like much of the world, Saudi Arabia is becoming increasingly city-centric.

“The cities of the future will need to become more intelligent through connected infrastructure. Jeddah in particular has a municipality with a strong vision for developing its digital infrastructure and tapping the benefit broadband connectivity can offer to society.”

Arab News