Amazon Web Services promotes itself as the “world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform”. Now, the service is set to enter the Middle Eastern region, using local data centers and creating approximately 6,000 jobs in the process. The operation will require an entire construction and infrastructure supply chain, from maintenance and engineering to telecoms and more, bringing a planned $5 billion investment to the region’s economy.

“AWS is committed to helping customers in the UAE deploy the most advanced cloud technologies and achieve the highest levels of security, availability, and resiliency […] we are making it possible for even more customers to harness the power of the cloud to drive innovation across the UAE, while also investing in the local economy through job creation, training for highly sought-after technology skills, and education resources to further advance the UAE’s strategic priorities,” says Prasad Kalyanaraman, vice president of Infrastructure Services at AWS.

With the Middle Eastern arm of its operation in full swing, Amazon Web Services will be available in 87 zones worldwide, covering 27 geographic regions. The AWS UAE region will comprise three separate zones, joining with Bahrain (launched in 2019). It will enable residents to store data securely while achieving lower latency across the country.

When it comes to uptake within the wider economy, the service is already thriving, with tens of thousands of customers already using AWS across the Middle East and North Africa, including heavyweights such as Al Ghurair Investment, the Dubai Islamic Bank, Alef and GEMS Education, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, and more.

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“The opening of the AWS Middle East (UAE) Region is a significant milestone for Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a whole, reflecting our efforts to generate opportunities for all […] It strengthens Abu Dhabi’s commitment to positioning itself as a leading digital economy by leveraging cutting-edge technology to support business growth,” says His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.

As smart infrastructure and transformative technology continue to shape Abu Dhabi’s future, the public and private sectors continue to thrive, so there’s little doubt that more prestigious companies will follow in Amazon’s footsteps and expand into the region.