Prince Muhammed Bin Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Eastern Province, will patronize a forum on “Geographical information systems in the Kingdom” in Al-Khobar on Monday. More than 500 Saudi and international experts will participate in the two-day forum which will discuss the importance of using geographical information systems in the Kingdom and their effect on the life of the average man. “This forum aims to gather together researchers, industrial experts, and academic staff to discuss how the use of these systems can help develop governmental and private services in the Kingdom,” said Engineer Zaki Mohammed Al-Farsi, a member of the forum's higher commission. According to Al-Farsi, the forum will shed light on the latest geographical systems and their impact on sectors, such as, education, commerce, and business. “Having such improved technical geographical systems will facilitate collecting and analyzing information,” he added “ so that it can help identify the needs of a growing population.” “We want the Saudi government and private sector to be able to use such up-to-date systems in the face of the challenges of globalization and the world financial crisis,” added Al-Farsi Geographical information systems can be used in the management of cities, regions, and nations to increase the prosperity and development of business and commerce, as well as the growth of communities. “Every single citizen needs such systems which can be used in the management of electricity, water and communications,” said Usama Al-Nabulsi, a geographical information system expert.
