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Derq signs Saudi Arabia MoU

Agreement is part of plan to eventually make Holy City of Makkah (Mecca) into a smart city
By Adam Hill February 9, 2022 Read time: 1 min
MoU involves solutions to cut congestion and traffic violations in Mecca (© Ahmad Faizal Yahya | Dreamstime.com)

Artificial intelligence firm Derq has signed an agreement with two companies in Saudi Arabia to develop traffic solutions around the Holy City of Makkah (Mecca).

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) is with investment group Wadi Makkah Venture and Saudi-based consultancy The Consultants for Business and Development.

A statement says the three companies will "collaborate together and leverage their combined capabilities and experience in road safety and traffic management to develop and deliver solutions aiming at improving traffic experience and reducing congestion and traffic violations". 

Derq recently received an investment from Wadi Makkah Venture and is "looking to contribute to the development of smart infrastructure throughout the Kingdom in general and the Holy City in particular", the statement continues.

Muslims from around the world visit Makkah for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, massively increasing the population at certain times. 
 
Wadi Makkah Venture invests in local and international start-ups which aim to help "make Makkah a smart city and the Hajj and Umrah journey more convenient".

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