Approval of free government software rules to boost digital economy, local content: Official

Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, Governor of the Digital Government Authority

The Saudi Cabinet’s approval of draft rules for regulating free and open-source government software complements the unlimited support for the digital government as well as the transformation process in the Kingdom.

The step also aimed to boost the digital economy and local content deployment across Saudi Arabia, SPA reported, citing Ahmed Alsuwaiyan, Governor of the Digital Government Authority.

The new rules will further allow the reuse of the government software, provide opportunities for other entities to cooperate with the government institutions, boost transparency and eliminate the suppliers’ monopoly.

The new rules also set guidelines for the software purchase and development, while mapping out a unified procurement policy. The enactment of the new rules will help providing an efficient spending on information technology, Alsuwaiyan indicated.

The Cabinet, in a meeting chaired by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, approved, on Aug. 10, the rules for regulating free and open-source government software, Argaam reported.