RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has achieved the highest leap in the UN’s E-Government Development Index since its inception more than 20 years ago. The Kingdom has advanced 12 places, to be ranked 31st this year, compared to 43rd in 2020, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The index is considered to be an important international indicator that measures the extent of the development of digital governments in the areas of electronic services, communications, infrastructure and human capital worldwide. The results of the EGDI were announced on Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN’s General Assembly in New York. The Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology attributed the leaps to the efforts of the government agencies, and the adoption of modern digital solutions by launching many initiatives and products to serve the beneficiaries. FASTFACTS In February, digital transformation spending by Saudi Arabia reached SR12 billion ($3.19 billion) a year. The Kingdom has advanced 12 places, to be ranked 31st this year, compared to 43rd in 2020. The Kingdom came among the best countries in the world in terms of providing government services information and sharing open government data to citizens and business sectors by 100 percent. The report also praised the maturity of government digital organizations, reaching 96 percent, and the quality of digital specifications for government services, which scored 94 percent. The availability and spread of digital government services reached 81 percent. Saudi Arabia advanced 23 places globally in participation and electronic consultations directed to individuals and business sectors to explore their views on legislation and regulations with economic and social impact. In February, digital transformation spending by Saudi Arabia reached SR12 billion ($3.19 billion) a year, according to Turki Al-Manea, executive director of investment at the Kingdom’s Digital Government Authority. The money is being invested in cloud computing, new emerging technologies, and open source government software, Alarabiya reported.