KUWAIT CITY, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Deemah bint Yahya Al-Yahya, secretary-general of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), has commended China's digital economy expertise and voiced the organization's openness to collaborating with Chinese companies.
"We learn from China and from countries that are advanced in the digital economy, and we welcome cooperation with Chinese companies," Deemah told Xinhua in an interview on Thursday during the fifth DCO General Assembly in Kuwait.
"We are always open to cooperation, regardless of the source of this support," Deemah, also a Saudi expert in the digital economy, added.
Deemah noted that she had visited China and the visit "was fruitful." She said she visited a number of Chinese technology companies, met entrepreneurs, and observed the government's orientation in supporting data governance and artificial intelligence.
"The Chinese experience is something we learn from, and our homes are full of Chinese technologies," she said.
The DCO, founded in 2020 and headquartered in Riyadh, is dedicated to fostering inclusive global growth through digital transformation.
Deemah said the DCO's core objective is partnership. It functions as a platform for governments to exchange successful tech models and for major technology and telecom firms to add value to member countries.
She explained that the organization aims to identify the needs of developing countries. Once understood, nations with more mature models can share their expertise in areas like digital infrastructure, financing, policy, and skills training.
Taking the Digital Silk Road (DSR) as an example, Deemah said the DCO can certainly serve as a bridge between supply and demand, thus achieving positive results through the initiative.
Regarding Kuwait, she said the country enjoys a competitive advantage as it provides connectivity between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Kuwait's strong political relations with neighboring countries helps build confidence in investments, attract capital, and draw talent and entrepreneurs, she said.
Deemah stressed that digital sustainability is now a key focus. In this context, she called for shared infrastructure, supportive policies to strengthen sovereignty, and local technological development to safeguard national sovereignty through laws, technology, and skills.
The organization is currently "studying the gaps among countries that could cause disruptions in growth and trying to bridge them," she added. ■
