On May 3rd, 2023, Omnis Labs, the company behind Deep Block, a geospatial MLops platform, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Project Management Institute - Saudi Arabia Chapter (PMI-KSA Chapter) in Seoul, South Korea. The Korean-Saudi Project Forum was jointly organized by the Korea SMEs & Startups Agency (KOSME), the Korean Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the PMI-KSA Chapter, with the participation of several innovative startups. The MoU signature aims to strengthen the ties between Saudi Arabia and South Korea in the field of project management, with a focus on utilizing innovative technology to boost the success of Saudi Arabia's mega projects.
Strengthening the ties between Saudi Arabia and South Korea.
The signature of the MoU took place between Badr Burshaid, the President of PMI-KSA Chapter, and Antoine Gronier, Head of Marketing at Omnis Labs. Badr Burshaid is an influential executive leader in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with over 20 years of project management experience with Saudi Aramco. He started the event by presenting many of the mega projects that Saudi Arabia is currently developing, including, NEOM, the Green Riyadh project, the Sakaka Solar Power Plant, the King Salman Energy Park, and the King Salman Park.
Signature of the MoU between, Badr Burshaid, the President of PMI-KSA Chapter (on the left), and Antoine Gronier, Head of Marketing at Omnis Labs (on the right).
Badr Burshaid also expressed his hope for Korean technology and startups, stating that Korean companies hold a special place in his heart due to their dedication in helping to build Saudi Arabia's infrastructure.
Indeed, one notable project is the construction of the Riyadh Metro, which is being developed by a consortium of companies including the South Korean construction firm Samsung C&T Corporation. The project is one of the largest urban transport system developments in the world and includes the construction of six metro lines, covering a total distance of 176 kilometers. In addition to the Riyadh Metro, Korean companies have also been involved in other infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia, such as the construction of the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh and the expansion of the King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah.
The Saudi government has also recognized the contribution of Korean companies to the development of the country's infrastructure and has welcomed their involvement in future projects. In 2019, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources met with the South Korean ambassador to Saudi Arabia to discuss opportunities for further cooperation between the two countries in the field of energy and infrastructure development.
Badr Burshaid personally came to Korea to send a positive signal and foster mutual collaboration between the two countries. He also invited several Korean companies to attend the Global Project Management Forum, which will take place from 12-13 June in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The forum aims to bring together project management professionals, experts, and leaders to exchange knowledge, best practices, and insights on managing mega projects.
The rapid development of Saudi Arabia's geospatial industry.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing rapid growth in its geospatial industry. The government is investing heavily in developing infrastructure and enhancing the use of geospatial technologies to support economic development, improve service delivery, and enhance security. The country has launched several initiatives, such as the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) and the Saudi Geospatial Platform (SGP), to improve access to geospatial data and promote collaboration among stakeholders.
As a result, the geospatial industry in Saudi Arabia is growing rapidly, with an increasing demand for geospatial services and solutions. The industry is expected to continue to grow at a steady rate, driven by the increasing adoption of geospatial technologies across different sectors.
Geospatial technologies can also closely help realize the various ambitions of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 project which aim aims to diversify the country's economy, reduce its dependence on oil, and create a more sustainable and prosperous future for the Saudi people. Geospatial technologies can support these objectives in a number of ways, including:
- Infrastructure Development: The Saudi government has identified infrastructure development as a key area of focus under Vision 2030, with plans to invest heavily in transportation, energy, and water projects. Geospatial technologies can be used to support the planning, design, and construction of these projects, by providing accurate and detailed spatial data and analysis.
- Natural Resource Management: Saudi Arabia has vast natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals. Geospatial technologies can help to manage these resources more efficiently, by providing detailed information about their location, distribution, and quantity.
- Urban Planning and Development: As part of Vision 2030, the Saudi government is working to create more livable and sustainable cities. Geospatial technologies can support this goal by providing detailed information about land use, population distribution, and infrastructure needs.
- Environmental Management: The Vision 2030 project also aims to protect the country's natural environment and promote sustainable development. Geospatial technologies can help to monitor and manage environmental resources, such as water, air quality, and biodiversity.
Overall, the use of geospatial technologies can help to support the objectives of the Vision 2030 project by providing accurate, detailed, and up-to-date spatial data and analysis. This can lead to more effective decision-making, better resource management, and more sustainable and prosperous development in Saudi Arabia.
The benefits of geospatial imagery analysis for Saudi Arabia's mega projects.
Geospatial imagery analysis can bring many benefits to Saudi Arabia's mega projects. By utilizing geospatial data and imagery, project managers can make informed decisions, plan and design projects more effectively, and monitor progress more accurately. They can also identify potential risks and challenges and take proactive measures to mitigate them.
One of the largest ongoing projects is the development of NEOM, which is a $500 billion project to create a futuristic city in the northwestern region of Saudi Arabia. Geospatial data analysis can be used to support the planning and development of the city by providing detailed information about the site, including terrain, topography, land use, and environmental factors. This data can be used to optimize the design and placement of buildings, infrastructure, and transportation networks, and to ensure that the city is developed in a sustainable and efficient manner.
Another major project is the Red Sea Development, which is a tourism development that aims to create a luxury resort area along the Red Sea coast. Geospatial data analysis can be used to support the project's development by providing detailed information about the site, including water resources, coastal erosion, and potential hazards. This data can be used to design and implement effective management strategies for the development, and to ensure that the project is developed in a way that protects the natural environment.
The Qiddiya project is another major development in Saudi Arabia, which aims to create a world-class entertainment and sports destination near Riyadh. Geospatial data analysis can be used to support the project by providing detailed information about the site, including topography, soil conditions, and natural hazards. This data can be used to optimize the design and placement of buildings, infrastructure, and attractions, and to ensure, once again, its sustainability.
The Green Riyadh project aims to transform the city of Riyadh into a more sustainable and livable city by planting 7.5 million trees, improving green spaces, and enhancing the overall urban environment. Geospatial data and imagery can help project managers identify suitable areas for planting trees, monitor the growth of trees, and assess the project's impact on the environment.
Similarly, the Sakaka Solar Power Plant aims to produce clean energy to meet the country’s growing electricity demand. Geospatial data and imagery can help project managers to identify suitable areas for installing solar panels, assess the potential for solar energy generation, and monitor the performance of the solar power plant.
In conclusion, geospatial data analysis can provide valuable insights and support to the planning, design, and implementation of mega projects in Saudi Arabia. By using this technology, developers can optimize their designs, reduce risks, and ensure that their projects are developed in a sustainable and efficient manner.
