Minister of Municipalities and Housing Concludes Official Visit to China

Shenzhen: Minister of Municipalities and Housing Majed Al-Hogail concluded his official visit to China today following a series of meetings and field visits aimed at advancing digital transformation and strengthening technological partnerships that support the development of smart cities and the adoption of advanced technologies in the municipal and housing sectors. According to Saudi Press Agency, on the second day of the visit, the minister reviewed leading global practices and experiences in artificial intelligence and smart cities. He also discussed opportunities for cooperation in developing digital infrastructure and investing in data centers with several Chinese technology companies. During the visit, Al-Hogail toured the Intelligent Operation Center in Shenzhen's Longgang District, operated by Huawei. He reviewed advanced AI-powered solutions for city management and mechanisms for integrating urban, traffic, and environmental data through unified operating platforms that support decision-making and enhance operational response efficiency. Al-Hogail underscored the importance of investing in national talent through specialized training and qualification programs in smart cities, data analytics, and emerging technologies. He said such efforts contribute to knowledge transfer and localization while enhancing Saudi professionals' readiness to lead digital transformation in the municipal and real estate sectors. As part of efforts to strengthen international partnerships, the minister met with executives from Huawei and ByteDance. He noted that the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing serves as a strategic partner to both companies in Saudi Arabia through its technology arm, NHC Innovation, and highlighted ongoing collaboration to implement initiatives in data engineering, artificial intelligence, digital service development, and user experience enhancement. He explained that the ministry's ecosystem is implementing a comprehensive artificial intelligence strategy encompassing more than 20 use cases. Ar ound 20% of these applications are dedicated to supporting employees and improving workplace efficiency, while the remainder focus on developing digital applications, utilizing gamification technologies, enhancing smart search engines, and providing AI-driven marketing recommendations and services. These efforts contribute to greater operational efficiency, lower costs, and improved service quality. The meetings also explored opportunities to establish data centers within the business districts of NHC Group's real estate developments, a move expected to strengthen digital infrastructure and enhance the investment attractiveness of these projects. At the conclusion of the visit, Al-Hogail said the partnerships and initiatives achieved reflect the ministry's progress toward an advanced stage of digital transformation built on the integration of technology, data, and innovation. He emphasized that investing in national talent remains the foundation for building the cities of the future and reaffirmed the minis try's commitment to developing a smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable municipal and housing sector.