Kuwait, Google eye closer tech partnership
KUWAIT: Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar and Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer at Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiary Google, pose for a photo with officials. — KUNA
KUWAIT: Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar met Wednesday with Ruth Porat, President and Chief Investment Officer at Alphabet Inc and its subsidiary Google, to discuss ways to strengthen their strategic partnership. According to a statement by the Ministry of Communications to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Thursday, the meeting, held during Porat's visit to the country, explored opportunities for cooperation in technology and digital investment. It aimed to enhance the strategic partnership in a way that supports accelerating digital integration within government agencies, in line with the ministry's efforts to contribute to achieving Kuwait's development vision, 'New Kuwait 2035.'
Earlier this week, Al-Omar had affirmed the ministry's commitment to expanding strategic partnerships with global tech companies, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT), as part of Kuwait's broader vision to become a leading digital hub in the region. Speaking on the sidelines of the 20th Arab Media Forum, Al-Omar noted that the ministry continues to build strong collaborations with major international firms like Google Cloud and Microsoft, aiming to accelerate digital transformation across government entities.
He explained that these partnerships include training and certification programs for national talent, providing young Kuwaitis with professional credentials in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies. The minister emphasized that the goal is to transform Kuwait into a regional center for the digital economy by fostering innovation and promoting entrepreneurship in the tech sector. This involves strengthening collaboration with universities, the private sector, and international organizations to create an integrated ecosystem that supports innovation and accelerates knowledge transfer.
On the infrastructure front, Al-Omar stated that the ministry is actively working on developing the telecommunications sector in line with the 'New Kuwait 2035' vision, through the expansion of 5G technology and the optical fiber network. These strategic investments pave the way for future technologies such as IoT, advanced computing, and big data. He also highlighted Kuwait's continued efforts, represented by the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), to diversify international internet connectivity routes through advanced land and sea cables. These initiatives aim to provide high reliability and security standards, positioning Kuwait as a key data exchange hub between the region and the world. — KUNA
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