The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) Smart cities Index for 2021 just list Riyadh as the third smartest capital amongst other G20 states. The capital jumped 23 ranks from last year also landed the 30th rank on a global level.
According to Saudi Gazette’s report, Riyadh’s smart performance now exceeds other metropolitan cities such as Los Angeles, Madrid, Hong Kong and Paris.
Another Saudi city, Madinah, was included on the index as the second Saudi city after Riyadh, as it ranked 73rd in the world and 4th in the Arab world.
Just Dance tournaments and combat zones? We're in!https://t.co/8vzofbeRIO
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) October 23, 2021
This year, the Kingdom's capital Riyadh saw major improvement on 34 indicators in all fields.
On this occasion, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA), the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, the Madinah Region Development Authority and the Quality of Life Program expressed their gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy prime minister and minister of defense for their unlimited support for the digital sector system.
From above and from within, Riyadh’s breathtaking Tuwaiq Palace resembles a dream-like oasis. https://t.co/GA6LUr5bRz
— About Her (@AboutHerOFCL) October 18, 2021
So what are the criteria looked at? Riyadh and Madinah achieved milestones in digital transformation, data and artificial intelligence by adopting state of the arts technologies and digital solutions.
In line with Vision 2030, the successful ranking is also the result of speed and flexibility in processing digital government transactions and digital identity services, ease of starting new businesses and reducing waiting times, as well as the contribution of government applications and platforms to ease of access to information, completion of transactions and the great role they played in raising health and safety indicators, especially during the pandemic of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
