JEDDAH — The MIT Enterprise Forum (MITEF) Saudi Arabia, a branch of MIT Enterprise Forum global network, in collaboration with Bab Rizq Jameel has announced that the 5th MITEF Saudi Startup Competition will be held under the aegis of Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah A. Al-Sawahah during March 2021. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) will be represented by Deputy Minister of Communications and Information Technology for Future Jobs and Digital Entrepreneurship Dr. Ahmed Altheneyan, who is expected to deliver a speech before the participating entrepreneurs at the closing ceremony, set for March 6, 2021, virtually. The Ministry’s generous patronage of the MITEF Saudi Startup Competition, the first competition of its kind in Saudi Arabia in the field of promoting and enriching the digital entrepreneurial environment in Saudi Arabia, comes within the framework of the Ministry"s ambitious vision to provide an environment that embraces, develops and attracts skillful entrepreneurs in the field of digital transformation, and increases quality job opportunities. This will enhance national productivity, develop local technical content and build a globally competitive technology sector that can achieve economic sustainability and leadership at the regional and global level. The Ministry believes in the importance of digital entrepreneurship being a tributary of the digital economy, where startups play a significant role as real investments in the quest towards realizing comprehensive digital transformation. On this occasion, Dr. Altheneyan said: “We are pleased to support the MITEF Saudi Startup Competition along with other influential events that target the youth and the local economy. Startups lie among the main pillars of development, and the Saudi youth working in them are indeed the very hope for a better future. Such competitions are a real investment and a sign that all the efforts exerted are proceeding towards a bright and promising future.” “We have an integrated environment that supports entrepreneurs and innovators in the field of digital transformation. In this environment, entrepreneurs are provided with easier ways to get all the support they need with regards to digital capabilities and to have access to modern technologies and funding. This ultimately helps them better develop their ideas and turn them into startups that can flourish to change the society and the world around them for the better,” he added. On his part, Hassan Jameel, deputy chairman, Bab Rizq Jameel, said: “The 5th MITEF Saudi Startup Competition saw Bab Rizq Jameel collaborate with governmental and private entities to fast track the development of the startups and SMEs that are transforming Saudi Arabia’s private sector. By supporting digital transformation initiatives, Bab Rizq Jameel aims to enhance the Kingdom’s culture of entrepreneurship, innovation and digital disruption driven by Vision 2030.” The competition’s first round judging will run from Dec. 17 to 26, 2020. The 45 teams who have qualified for the semifinal round will be announced on Dec. 31, 2020. Semifinalists will receive intensive mentoring and training programs by specialists and experts in all commercial and social fields throughout the competition time and before the winners of the MITEF Saudi Startup Competition fifth edition are announced at the Start Smart Conference to be held on March 6, 2021. — SG