Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has announced the nomination of 100 Saudi projects to the Digital Food and Drug Hackathon Competitions, which started at the SFDA headquarters in Riyadh on Thursday.

The event saw the participation of more than 750 participants, including representatives of a number of government agencies.

SFDA organizes the event out of its commitment to stimulate the innovative climate to reach regional and global leadership in the fields of technology as well as to support young Saudi men and women with making available of diverse opportunities.

Dr. Hisham Al-Jadhai, president of SFDA, said this technical demonstration brings together national talents in the field of innovative smart applications and technical solutions.

“Through organizing this event, SFDA strives to devise effective solutions to promote positive technology, access to digital initiatives in the promotion of public health, create new partnerships and find unconventional solutions to the many and varied challenges facing a number of areas of healthy food, food safety, pharmaceuticals, digital health, and public health,” he pointed out.

Al-Jadhai said the projects participating in the Digital Food and Drug Hackathon reached 464, presented by more than 750 participants, of which 100 projects were nominated for the final competition, which will conclude Saturday.

Ayman Al-Fallaj, CEO of Thiqah Business Services, said that his company’s partnership with SFDA in organizing the Hackathon will further strengthen the partnership between the public and private sectors, which is one of the most important strategies and policies of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to build a prosperous economy.

SFDA had signed a contract with Thiqa Business Services Company, under which the company will be the main sponsor of the Hackathon.