More local, regional and international companies and enterprises are establishing their research and development (R&D) operations in Saudi Arabia. This is a very positive indication that the Kingdom's thrust to establish a knowledge-based economy is seeing fruition, according to the head of the Dhahran Techo-Valley (DTV), the hub of current R&D operations in Eastern Province. “Interest to set up research and development centers and industrial and business innovation units at DTV is increasing, an indication that the future economy of the country will be more of knowledge-based,” said Dr. Faleh Al-Sulaiman Vice Rector, Technology Development & Industrial Relations at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) and General Supervisor of Dhahran Techno-Valley. There are at present 12 local and international companies that have signed agreements with DTV to establish their R&D at DTV. These include Schlumberger, USA, Yokogawa, Japan, Aker Kaverner, Norway, Ingenia Polymers, USA, Intel Corp. USA, Arabian Fuel Technology, Saudi Arabia, Naizak-Lab/Al Abdulkarim Holding, Saudi Arabia, MSSAK, Saudi Arabia, Al-Malaz Group, Saudi Arabia, and Futureware Technology, Saudi Arabia. Two companies – Schlumberger and Yokogawa – have already built their buildings and research facilities at DTV, while others are operating within the KFUPM campus and inside Saudi Aramco while preparation for setting up their infrastructures inside the technology valley is ongoing. __
