LEAP East in Hong Kong has ‘created real impact,’ says Saudi cybersecurity official

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RIYADH: The first international edition of Saudi Arabia’s LEAP conference in Hong Kong has “created real impact,” the chairman of the country’s cybersecurity federation said during a speech at the event.

Faisal Al-Khamisi, chairman of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, and chairman of Tahaluf, reflected on LEAP’s progress over the years, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

“Many people asked, ‘Why now?’ But we were certain that everyone was looking for an opportunity to reconnect, innovate and build the future together.

“We didn’t just launch a technology event — we launched a movement that created real impact,” he said.

“The real story isn’t measured by numbers, but by the connections and opportunities it has created.

“It’s the entrepreneurs who found their first investors at LEAP, and the students who attended a technology presentation and decided to become tomorrow’s founders.”

The strategic choice of Hong Kong for the first international event was influenced by many factors, including what Al-Khamisi described as the city’s position as a gateway hub into Asia’s technological world.

In addition to Hong Kong’s positioning, recent efforts have emphasized the strong ties between the Kingdom and Hong Kong as Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah Al-Swaha met Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, in the presence of Communications, Space and Technology Commission Governor Haitham Al-Ohali and Digital Government Authority Governor Ahmed Al-Suwaiyan.

The meeting echoed Al-Khamisi’s remarks about broadening horizons to open doors for opportunities that will advance technology investment, backing start-ups and supporting entrepreneurs in the field.

LEAP is organized by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, and Tahaluf, the joint venture between the federation, global events company Informa and the Events Investment Fund.

The Hong Kong event runs from July 8-10 and is held in partnership with the Hong Kong government’s Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau.