In partnership with Aramco Americas, the U.S.-Saudi Business Council (USSBC) hosted a webinar on October 29, 2020 on prospects for American companies in Saudi Aramco’s Digital Transformation initiative and developing Saudi Arabia as a regional digital hub.
Webinar: Saudi Aramco Seeking Collaboration in 16 Industry 4.0 Technologies from U.S.-Saudi Business Council.
As part of its In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) program, Saudi Aramco is seeking to collaborate with IR4.0 companies to help the company create a centralized hub for IR4.0 technologies in King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) outside Dammam, and to ultimately support Saudi Arabia’s transition from an oil-based economy to a center for innovation and a regional leader in digitalization. The technologies targeted by Saudi Aramco include 3D printing, 5G, artificial intelligence/machine learning, augmented/virtual reality, blockchain, cloud computing, cybersecurity, digital twin technology, drones/automated guided vehicles, edge computing, Internet of things, machine vision, robotics, and quantum computing.
Participants gained insightful knowledge of Saudi Aramco’s business opportunities with regards to industry 4.0 technologies as well as an overview of Saudi Aramco’s digital transformation goals and the steps required for a supplier to register their business with Saudi Aramco. After the presentation, participants submitted their questions to be answered by their subject matter experts at Aramco.
The event featured expert speakers from both Saudi Aramco in Dhahran and Aramco Americas in Houston. Representing Saudi Aramco as speakers were Mr. Adel AlShahrani, Manager of Procurement & Supply Chain Management; Mr. Hamad Balhareth, Digital Strategy & Growth – Digital Transformation; Ms. Hiba Alajeeb, Supply Chain Analyst; and Ms. Maha Alkaabi, Supply Chain Analyst at IKTVA Support Division. The speakers from Aramco Americas were Mr. Frederick De Bruyker, Director of Digital Transformation, and Ms. Myra Bozeman, Supplier Relations.
USSBC President and CEO H. Delano Roosevelt served as the moderator of the event. During the webinar, Roosevelt ensured participants and interested parties that the USSBC and Saudi Aramco will be with them every step of the way to help them take advantage of the opportunities in the IR4.0 sphere and grow their business in Saudi Arabia.
