The Saudi Industrial Property Authority (Modon) has signed an agreement with Saudi Huawei to transform its industrial cities into smart industrial cities to keep abreast of developments and demands.

The move is aimed at enabling the factories to automate their operations and utilise advanced technologies in facilitating management, control, quality control and tracking its products remotely, said a statement from Modon.

Khalid Al Salem, the director general of Modon, said that the planning and designing of the project has already started in Riyadh Second Industrial City by focusing on security and safety services.

"Fibre optic networks will be built and CCTV cameras installed, to monitor the traffic movement and security, as well as the operation of electronic lighting poles within the city," observed Al Salem.

He pointed out that this step would be followed by the implementation of some smart applications for utilities, health and environment and engineering support, along with raising the level of quality of services and sustainability and rationalization of energy and water consumption operations.

Al Salem said the project would be launched soon after Modon completes the designs and prepares specifications and selects contractors.

"The implementation of the project will be carried out in a phased implementation system, to ensure cost rationalisation and provide sufficient time for testing and trial and to benefit from the experience while implementing it in other cities," he noted.

Denis Zhang, the CEO of Huawei Tech Investment Saudi Arabia, said: "As one of the leading smart city solution providers, Huawei is proud to be a strategic partner of Modon in various fields of the kingdom's information and communication technology (ICT) needs, which play a vital role in supporting the Saudi Vision 2030."

"Huawei puts all its advanced technological innovations into the service of the kingdom, and we hope that this co-operation with Modon will be in the interest of providing more smooth, smart and digital services that delight the people of Saudi Arabia," he added.-TradeArabia News Service