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IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth

The move is a significant step for the company as it deepens its presence in a market with huge growth potential.

Published

2 years ago

December 16, 2024

ibm opens new doha office to support qatar's digital growth

IBM has officially opened its new office in Al Mana Tower, situated in Doha’s Corniche area. The inauguration ceremony was attended by key figures, including H.E. Mohammed bin Ali Al Mannai, Qatar’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, U.S. Ambassador Timmy Davis, and IBM executives Shukri Eid and Wissam Shmait. Local business partners and clients also joined the event, which took place during the Qatar Global AI Summit.

This new office marks a significant step in IBM’s strategy to deepen its presence in Qatar — a market with tremendous potential for growth. With the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Digital Agenda 2030 shaping the country’s ambitions, IBM aims to contribute to Qatar’s ongoing digital transformation by delivering cutting-edge solutions and advisory services directly from its Doha base.

Speaking about this development, Sami Mohammed Al Shammari, Assistant Undersecretary for Infrastructure and Operations Affairs at Qatar’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, emphasized the importance of IBM’s role. “We are pleased to witness the expansion of IBM’s presence in the State of Qatar and its role in supporting our journey towards building an advanced digital future,” he said. He described the move as more than a commercial investment, highlighting its potential to empower key industries and foster stronger collaboration between Qatar’s public and private sectors. He added that this partnership aligns with the country’s vision of building a robust digital infrastructure and advancing a knowledge-based economy.

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IBM’s regional leader, Shukri Eid, echoed these sentiments. “The opening of our new office in Qatar reflects IBM’s commitment to supporting the country’s accelerated digital transformation journey,” he said. He underscored IBM’s focus on driving innovation and equipping clients with advanced technological solutions to help realize Qatar’s digital ambitions.

The new office not only strengthens IBM’s ties with local businesses and government entities but also positions the tech corporation as a key player in the ongoing development of Qatar’s digital ecosystem. By fostering innovation and driving technological adoption, IBM will be ideally poised to play a central role in the country’s broader goals for digital advancement.

News

Syria Just Got Its First Super App Featuring Built-In Digital Payments

Built by UAE-based Syrian founders with the Ministry of Tourism’s backing, My Syria lands as visitor numbers more than double.

Published

5 days ago

August 1, 2026

Nour Nasir

syria just got its first super app featuring built-in digital payments

For most of the past decade, paying for anything in Syria with an international card was effectively impossible. Sanctions, a collapsed banking sector, and years of isolation left the country running on cash. That is what makes the launch of My Syria — the country’s first super app — more than a routine product announcement.

Developed by 121 Living, a company founded by four UAE-based Syrian entrepreneurs — Rami Kaiem, Feras Kaiem, Waseem Qudmani, and Kinan Madi — the app launched in Damascus on July 30 under the patronage of Minister of Tourism Mazen Al-Salhani. It bundles hotels, restaurants, transport, attractions, food delivery, and other lifestyle services into a single platform, currently offering eight services with plans to expand to more than 40 verified tourism and hospitality providers across the country.

Although the app already sounds enticing, the headline feature is its built-in payments. My Syria is the first platform in Syria to support cross-border digital payments through Apple Pay, Google Pay, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express — familiar tools for international visitors, and a route into the digital economy for local businesses that have long operated outside it.

my syria super app launch event

The launch rides on a sharp rebound for the troubled country. Syria’s tourism sector recorded 3.52 million visitor arrivals in the first half of 2026, a 111 percent increase over the 1.67 million during the same period in 2025 — a mix of returning expatriates, regional visitors, and international tourists.

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The Ministry of Tourism, which supported and supervised the app’s development, frames the launch as proof of concept for a wider strategy. “Digital transformation is one of the Ministry’s strategic priorities because it enables us to build a more competitive, connected and investment-ready tourism sector,” Al-Salhani said, inviting technology companies “globally, regionally and locally” to explore opportunities across the wider economy.

For 121 Living, this is phase one, with additional services and expanded geographic coverage planned. Whether a super app can flourish in a market still rebuilding its infrastructure is an open question, but for the first time in years, a visitor to Damascus can pay for dinner with their phone.