The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) announced today that Khobar Governorate 38 centers in Smart Cities Index for 2025, ranking 61st in the world, which reflects a step in the remarkable progress the Kingdom is making in the fields of digital transformation and innovation.
His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province and Chairman of the Eastern Province Development Authority, said that the progress of Al Khobar Governorate in the Global Smart Cities Index reflects the ambitious vision of the wise leadership to make the Kingdom's cities advanced urban models at the global level.
His Highness added that this progress is the result of complementary efforts between government and private entities, which seek to achieve a technologically advanced, economically sustainable and attractive environment for investment and knowledge, stressing his full support for the continuation of this path and achieving further successes.
Mr. Omar Saleh Al-Abdullatif, CEO of the Eastern Province Development Authority, said that this achievement reflects the development witnessed by the Kingdom in various fields, with the support of the wise leadership, and emphasizes its commitment to achieving a sustainable urban environment that attracts global talents and investments.
He noted that Khobar's progress in the Smart cities This is evidence of its attractive environment for talent and experts, its environmental diversity, and the efficiency of its basic and digital infrastructure, which enhances its position as an investment and innovation center, adding that its geographical location near the GCC countries, its embrace of research and innovation centers, and its educational outputs make it eligible to attract smart projects of a futuristic nature.
He added that this progress reflects the ongoing efforts in developing infrastructure and applying modern technologies in multiple fields such as: Health, education, transportation, culture, and governance, making Al Khobar a more interactive and responsive city to the needs of citizens and residents, and the city is a living model in implementing modern technological experiments on the ground, in support of sustainable development strategies.
This achievement confirms the advanced position occupied by Al Khobar Governorate in the fields of smart urban planning and promoting sustainable development, as it was included in the periodic book of smart cities issued by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) and reflects Al Khobar's leading role in innovation and the efficiency of its digital infrastructure, within the framework of achieving one of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to make three Saudi cities, Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar among the top 100 global cities in the Global Livability Index (EIU), one of the targets of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
