President of Umm Al Qura University and Chairman of the Board of Wadi Makkah Dr. Bakri Bin M'atoog Bin Bakri Assas has ordered that a committee would be formed to take part in the Viva Technology Paris planned to be held in Paris on June 30-July 2, 2016. Under the decision, the committee is expected to be chaired by Deputy Chairman of the Board of Wadi Makkah, Dr. Nabil bin Abdul Qader Koshak. The members include CEO Osama bin Rashid Al-Omari and CEO of Navi Bees Mohamed Saleh Ba-Salama.

Dr. Assas issued the order during a meeting Tuesday, Ramadan 23, 1437H with Dr. Koshak, the UQU Vice-President for Business & Innovation and Al-Omari to discuss measures taken by the university in preparation for the new international event and the accompanying exhibition. The event bringing together 5,000 startups to show their innovative products.

 During the meeting, Dr. Assas said Wadi Makkah's participation reflects scientific and technical development achieved by the Saudi startups. He said such progress meets the aspirations of the Saudi leaders under the Vision 2030.

For his part, Dr. Koshak said the Wadi Makkah is expected to be a key participants in the VIVA Technology for its long experience. He said the company has gained more spaces at the international level thanks to the support of the university, its President and the skilled staff who played a role in transition to the knowledge-based economy and achieving the goals of the Vision 2030. According to Dr. Koshak, the conference is a platform for discussing the most promising technologies and the expected effects on economy and social life.

In the same context, Dr. Al Omari said the VIVA Technology is the biggest of its kind in Europe where 5,000 startups can show their products. It creates a link between companies of innovative products with the investors and public sector agencies in concern, he said.

At least 30 top investors and companies are expected to take part in the international conference and exhibition to grow businesses and shape the future, he expected. Wadi Makkah is planned to participate along with a number of startups in its pavilion. The exhibitors would show technical solutions that include smart city platforms, geographical information systems, transportation and crowd management in addition to the health care technologies, he added.