Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Digital transformation in Saudi Arabia has played an effective role in providing the public with distinguished services during the coronavirus pandemic, said Saudi Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi.

He also said that thanks to the advanced infrastructure of the country, the Saudi authorities have set an unprecedented example of dealing with crises and problems facing the economy in the wake of the pandemic through concerted governmental and private sector efforts.

Al-Qasabi made the remarks during the opening session of the International Standards Summit, the first of its kind event on the sidelines of the Group of 20 meetings, on Wednesday.

Highlighting the significance of the event, Al-Qasabi said: “We have succeeded to launch the summit to discuss the role of national and international standardization in enhancing the industrial, economic, and social abilities to draw a better future.”

He said that Saudi Arabia during its presidency of G20 has sought to take serious steps in collaboration and partnership with its international partners to put all issues and challenges on the table, aiming to reach effective solutions to the challenges and crises facing the international economy and find effective ways to enhance international trade and industry.

For his part, Dr. Saad bin Othman Al-Gasabi, governor of the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), said that the summit was set to discuss the importance of standards in facing the challenges and crises facing the international economy in a way that helps cross-country trade to grow and the economy to flourish.

The summit, which was organized by SASO in partnership with local and international bodies, focused on the role of standards in strengthening institutional capacities to face crises and limit their negative impacts, as well as ways to enhance standards for digital transformation.