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Kuwait Aims For Digital Transformation With Google Partnership
Google Cloud will work closely with several government agencies to digitize citizen services and increase public sector productivity.
As part of Google’s expansion of its Cloud services into the Middle East, the tech giant has signed up to a strategic alliance with the government of Kuwait. The move shows a solid commitment to the region’s digital future, and as part of the agreement, the two entities will collaborate on a comprehensive digital roadmap that will encompass both governmental entities and state-owned enterprises.
As part of its expansion, Google Cloud aims to set up a local headquarters in Kuwait and will team up with the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA), the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), and the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT).
The Government of Kuwait and Google Cloud will work towards “digitizing citizen services” and increasing employee productivity. In addition, the partnership will begin implementing several transformative initiatives that will help to digitize a broad range of sectors, including healthcare, education, disaster recovery, and smart living.
By leveraging Google Cloud’s technology and formidable expertise in data analytics, the Government of Kuwait will also be able to improve regional cybersecurity and artificial intelligence deployment. Meanwhile, Google Cloud support will become available to public sector organizations, businesses, and startups to build a modern, data-driven economy.
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“The strategic alliance supports the Government of Kuwait’s Vision 2035, which aims to transform Kuwait into a digital society and diversify its economy. We are proud to bring the latest Google Cloud technologies to Kuwait to help the country realize its digitization ambitions. The arrival of Google Cloud will contribute to developing a rich tech ecosystem in the country, creating exciting, highly-skilled job opportunities for Kuwaitis,” says Thomas Kurian, Chief Executive Officer, Google Cloud.
As well as a raft of economic benefits, the Google Cloud partnership will enable Kuwait’s Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT) to develop a national upskilling program for government employees. All in all, the strategic allegiance looks set to radically overhaul Kuwait’s government and public sector, ushering in a new era where cutting-edge data analytics, machine learning, and enhanced security mesh seamlessly into everyday life.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
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The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.