Tribune News Network
Doha
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Google Cloud and Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) announced the official opening of the Google Cloud Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the Business Innovation Park in Ras Bufontas Free Zone.
The milestone reflects the successful, long-standing collaboration between MCIT, Google Cloud and QFZ to further accelerateQatar’s digital innovation, cloud adoption, and skills development. The Google Cloud Center of Excellence will play a pivotal role in building digital capacity within the State of Qatar.
The Center of Excellence was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani, CEO of Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ); Reem Al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Industry Affairs at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT); and Ghassan Costa, Regional Country Manager of Google Cloud, in a ceremony attended by several high-profile dignitaries and distinguished guests.The ceremony featured keynote remarks, a ribbon-cutting, and a tour of the new Center of Excellence.
The CoE builds on the launch of the Doha Google Cloud Region last year, which brought Google Cloud’s state-of-the-art technology to Qatar to enhance cloud adoption across industries and allow businesses to access powerful data analytics, machine learning, and AI capabilities.
The CoE further amplifies Qatar’s digital transformation journey by providing world-class cloud training, supporting startups in scaling their businesses, and facilitating cutting-edge research on cloud-based solutions.
In addition to these offerings, the Center will serve as an incubator for high-potential startups and a hub for cloud innovation, positioning Qatar as a regional leader in digital transformation, and supporting its efforts to build a knowledge-based economy in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al Thani, CEO of Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ), said: “This marks a true milestone in Qatar’s digital capability-building journey. Our years of collaboration with MCIT and Google Cloud have culminated in this achievement. What makes the Center of Excellence particularly significant is its role as an enabler, localizing technology and building human capital that goes beyond utilizing cutting-edge technologies to actively creating and innovating with them. Qatar is emerging as the premier hub for digital innovation in the MENA region, a transformation that reflects the collective commitment of government and private stakeholders who believe in our nation’s vision. As momentous as today’s announcement is, I want to emphasize that this is just one step in our ongoing journey. QFZ will continue to attract world industry leaders to Qatar, further cementing our position as a global technology destination.”
On the occasion,Reem Al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Industry Affairs, at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), said: “The launch of the Google Cloud Center of Excellence is a further step in our journey towards transforming Qatar into a regional leader in cloud computing and digital innovation.
This collaboration aligns with Qatar’s National Vision 2030 and our Digital Agenda 2030, enabling us to upskill our workforce, provide further meaningful support to startups in Qatar, and foster sustainable economic growth.
The Google Cloud CoE in Qatar will provide a new benchmark for the region in driving innovative technological advancements.”
Ghassan Kosta, Regional Country Manager of Google Cloud, said: “Google Cloud is proud to partner with Qatar Free Zones Authority and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and to launch this state-of-the-art Center of Excellence.
Our goal is to equip individuals and businesses with the tools they need to succeed in the digital age.
Through the CoE, we will provide training, support, and resources that will help foster a community of cloud innovators, ultimately contributing to becoming a leader in digital transformation across the region.”
The collaboration between MCIT, QFZ, and Google Cloud dates back to before 2020 when Google Cloud first announced that it would launch a cloud region in Doha, the first such facility in the GCC and North Africa region.
This collaboration deepened in 2021 with the agreement to develop the Center of Excellence, followed by a supplementary Memorandum of Understanding between QFZ and Google Cloud in 2022 to further support the CoE’s establishment and operations.
The same year saw MCIT and Google Cloud sign a framework agreement aimed at accelerating digital transformation initiatives and adoption of digital and cloud technologies. In May of 2023, the Doha Google Cloud Region was officially launched.
The Google Cloud Center of Excellence is set to play a key role in Qatar’s digital transformation efforts, providingessential cloud-based training and support to businesses and individuals alike. This initiative underscores the commitment of MCIT, QFZ and Google Cloud to building a future-ready, innovation-driven economy.
Through this collaborative effort, the CoE will foster a new era of growth, digital innovation, and technological excellence in Qatar and beyond.
