Naver Corp. has announced plans to open a regional head office, Naver Arabia, in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2024, marking a significant step in its expansion into the Middle East. The move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the nation’s economy through investment in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and robotics.
By joining the Saudi government’s Regional HQ (RHQ) program, Naver will gain access to state support for relocation, tax consultation, and other services. This strategic partnership also enables Naver to participate in key national projects, including a $100 million deal to build digital twin platforms for several major Saudi cities, enhancing the kingdom’s transformation into a smart nation.
Naver is also set to collaborate with the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) to develop an Arabic large language model (LLM) and other AI technologies. These initiatives highlight Naver’s broader strategy of leveraging AI and cloud capabilities, anchored by its hyperscale AI platform HyperCLOVA X, for global expansion.
