Riyadh, April 7, 2025 — Finance Minister Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan made a field visit to The Garage and the National Technology Development Program (NTDP), where he was received by Communications and Information Technology Minister Engineer Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha.

The visit comes as part of efforts to support the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, strengthen the economic empowerment of young national talent, and advance toward a smart, sustainable digital economy.

During the visit, the two ministers reviewed a number of innovative projects led by young Saudi men and women in artificial intelligence, modern technologies and sustainability, reflecting the close cooperation between the public and private sectors to accelerate digital transformation and achieve sustainable, innovation-driven economic development.

The visit also included dialogue sessions with a group of young national talents, who shared their experiences, ambitions and the opportunities available to them in an environment that supports the growth and expansion of startups.

NTDP has achieved notable success, having contributed to creating more than 17,000 quality jobs in the technology sector, supporting 2,200 entrepreneurs, and contributing more than SAR 11.2 billion to GDP by the end of 2024 — surpassing its 2026 target of SAR 10 billion. The program has also raised the Kingdom's share of venture capital investment in the region to 42%, achieving the top ranking in the Middle East.