Riyadh, September (پاکستان پوائنٹ نیوز 29 سبتمبر 2025ء) In his opening remarks, President of KACST Dr. Munir bin Mahmoud Eldesouki highlighted that the Kingdom is steadily advancing toward transforming knowledge into economic value, noting that Saudi Arabia is home to more than 40,000 researchers, 100 laboratories, and 3,000 scientists. As the national laboratory and innovation oases, KACST has adopted practical solutions to accelerate the economic impact of innovation, including an open-access policy for research infrastructure and The Garage project, which has supported more than 600 startups valued at over $2 billion and created 7,500 high-value jobs.
He said: “From Riyadh, we connect our laboratories to the world, and the world to our opportunities,” adding that the Kingdom has become a global platform attracting talent and projects from various continents. This includes attracting 13 international accelerators, welcoming founders from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, and launching permanent residency programs for scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Ambassador of Canada to the Kingdom Jean-Philippe Linteau spoke about the deep historical ties between the two countries and their ongoing cooperation across various fields. He praised Saudi Arabia’s role as a key partner in transforming innovation into economic and social value, affirming that Canada, with its highly skilled human capital and innovative capabilities, looks forward to forging practical partnerships with Saudi Arabia to unlock new pathways for innovation on the ground.
Deputy President for Research Grants and Innovation at the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) Dr. Rami Niazi presented the national priorities and aspirations for research, development, and innovation, focusing on five tracks: education and curricula, innovative financing tools beyond traditional methods, enabling regulatory frameworks, development of research infrastructure and support services, and fostering behavioral and innovative aspects within the ecosystem.
General Manager of Entrepreneurship at NTDP Khalid Almutawa reviewed the program’s initiatives to accelerate the national tech ecosystem through innovative financial solutions, which generated a cumulative impact of approximately SAR13.41 billion on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and created 17,000 jobs by the end of Q3 2025, while increasing the number of companies, strengthening investments, and moving closer to achieving the goal of establishing 10 unicorns by 2026.
Managing Director of the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Saudi Arabia (C4IR) Dr. Basma Albuhairan underscored the C4IR’s efforts to enhance the Kingdom’s position as a global leader in adopting Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, smart cities, and future mobility, and presented initiatives including the Quantum Economy Map, collaborative platforms for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), AI in education, and digital governance.
Researcher at the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Private Sector Hub Sadeem Al-Anizan highlighted the platform’s role in boosting local and international participation in the PIF’s giga-projects, noting more than 170 investment opportunities worth more than $10 billion across 11 strategic sectors, including renewable energy, mining, telecommunications and technology, media, and transportation and logistics.
The Saudi-Canada Innovation Day also featured panel discussions and startup showcases, where Saudi and Canadian companies presented their innovative solutions and entrepreneurial ideas to investors and supporting entities from both countries. Additionally, direct business meetings were held between investors and venture capital funds to exchange expertise and explore potential collaboration opportunities in technology and innovation.
