Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to enhance digital investment and technology partnerships to support Pakistani startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in accessing the Saudi market. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Pakistan’s Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and Saudi Deputy Investment Minister, Ibrahim Almubarak, on the sidelines of the LEAP 2025 technology conference in Riyadh.

The discussions covered business-to-business collaborations in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and fintech. Officials explored ways to simplify licensing and registration processes for Pakistani companies looking to enter the Saudi market. They agreed to strengthen joint research and development initiatives and digitize the degree attestation process for Pakistanis looking for opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

Speaking at a panel discussion titled “Shaping the Future of Ethical AI: Multilateral Perspectives on Governance and Risk Management,” hosted by Deemah Al Yahya, Secretary General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), Khawaja emphasized the impact of AI on industries and called for multilateral cooperation and regulatory frameworks to ensure AI benefits all sectors of society.

She underscored the importance of data privacy, security, and fairness in AI systems, urging global collaboration to develop governance models that prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to digital opportunities.

The LEAP 2025 conference, held from February 9 to 12 in Riyadh, brought together Pakistani and Saudi business leaders, government officials, and technology experts.