TikTok mulls expanding investments in Saudi Arabia: CEO

Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok 

TikTok intends to increase its investments in the Saudi market through offering more services and products, as well as enhancing the platform’s understanding of local culture, CEO Shou Zi Chew told Asharq News.

Saudi Arabia is a very important market and the platform aims to explore promising opportunities there, Chew said, indicating that the platform seeks to ensure support for local companies.

Further, TikTok aims to try out several advantages of its new products, such as e-commerce, in Saudi Arabia first, as the Kingdom belongs to the category of early users who are proficient in dealing with technology.

The Kingdom recorded a high rate of rapid adoption of modern technologies, which makes it a promising market for the platform's investments.

The top executive also said the platform focuses on the Kingdom's startup sector, as there are over 175,000 startups that use the platform to support their business and expand their reach to the public.

TikTok will work to strengthen its partnerships with several parties, most notably in the promotional campaigns with the Saudi Tourism Authority, as well as cooperation with smart NEOM city.

Chew underlined TikTok’s keenness to support the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, indicating that the platform cooperates and coordinates its efforts with the relevant ministries to highlight the characteristics and cultures of Saudi society to introduce them to the whole world.