Latest news with #ShaikhAbdullahbinAhmedAlKhalifa
Bahrain This Week
6 days ago
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
stc successfully lands the first Bahraini submarine cable system; 2Africa Pearls in Bahrain
Marking a significant milestone in global connectivity, stc has announced that the 2Africa cable system – Pearls, the world's longest submarine cable, has successfully landed in Bahrain. With a US$ 205 million investments in 2Africa Pearls submarine cable system, this massive lift up in international connectivity toward Bahrain will reinforce the Kingdom as a powerful ICT hub, speeding up digital transformation across connected countries, attracting significant international investment opportunities, creating jobs and boosting innovation across sectors. The live landing of 2Africa Pearls submarine cable system next to Seef District on 4th of June was witnessed by H.E. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Telecommunications and Eng. Khalid Al Osaimi, Chief Executive Officer, stc Bahrain. The landing operation, which involved connecting the on-board cable to the ground infrastructure, was completed in record time. On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, expressed pride in Bahrain's advanced telecommunications infrastructure, noting that this achievement reflects the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening its position as a regional and global digital hub, in line with the goals of Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030. He emphasized the Ministry's dedication to fostering fruitful partnerships with the private sector, especially the strategic collaboration with stc Bahrain, which stands as a successful model of public-private synergy in advancing digital transformation. H.E. added that the landing of the 2Africa Pearls submarine cable in Bahrain represents a qualitative leap that will enhance the Kingdom's global connectivity, support its digital economy, and open new horizons for innovation and investment. Eng. Khalid Al Osaimi, Chief Executive Officer of stc Bahrain said, 'We are thrilled to land the 2Africa Pearls submarine cable to Bahrain, this will increase Bahrain's current connectivity capacity by 10x, further scalable to accommodate future growth. This is in line with our commitment to advancing Bahrain's position as a leading communications and digital hub for the region, directly aligning with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, and its goals for the ICT sector to create a diversified, knowledge-based economy.' Spanning 45,000 km with a massive 180 terabits per second design capacity, the 2Africa submarine cable will enable faster adoption of new technologies and digital solutions. 2Africa Pearls is the only cable in GCC capable of meeting the growing demands of data-heavy applications, including content streaming, cloud computing, and gaming. With the landing of 2Africa Pearls submarine cable system, the cable's massive capacity and low latency will serve as a catalyst for innovation and growth in emerging technologies like 5G, AI, and IoT, providing the essential infrastructure needed to support data-intensive applications and services. The increased connectivity will empower businesses with improved communication, access to global markets, and enhanced operational efficiency. Moreover, for consumers, this transformative project will provide reliable internet services and richer digital experience.
Daily Tribune
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Joins Digital Superhighway : Seef Becomes Tech Gateway
TDT | Manama • Cable lands near Seef • Connectivity capacity boosted tenfold • Supports Economic Vision 2030 Bahrain has officially joined the world's elite digital infrastructure network following the landing of the 2Africa Pearls submarine cable system near Seef District on June 4, marking a transformative leap in global connectivity and digital capacity for the Kingdom. Global Gateway With an investment of US$205 million, the arrival of the world's longest submarine cable places Bahrain at the centre of a digital superhighway stretching 45,000 kilometres. The cable's high-speed data capacity is set to reinforce Bahrain's position as a digital hub and significantly boost its potential to attract tech-driven investment, innovation, and high-skilled jobs. The cable landing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, and Khalid Al Osaimi, Chief Executive Officer of stc Bahrain. Officials confirmed the ground connection process was completed in record time. Strategic Synergy Dr. Shaikh Abdullah highlighted the move as a key milestone in achieving Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030. He stressed the importance of public-private partnerships, describing the collaboration with stc Bahrain as a model for how national goals can be accelerated through joint ventures. 'This project marks a qualitative leap that strengthens Bahrain's global connectivity and supports its ambitions in the digital economy,' he said. Al Osaimi noted that the new system would multiply the country's existing connectivity by ten times. He said the move supports the Kingdom's economic diversification agenda and elevates its status as a regional leader in the ICT sector. Future-Proof Infrastructure The 2Africa Pearls cable system is designed to support a massive 180 terabits per second, making it the only submarine cable in the GCC capable of meeting surging demand from data-heavy platforms like cloud computing, online gaming, and content streaming. Its low latency and high bandwidth are also expected to accelerate the growth of emerging technologies such as 5G, AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT), while delivering more reliable internet performance to consumers and businesses alike. With this digital milestone, Bahrain is now positioned to serve as a crucial node in the global data exchange map.
Biz Bahrain
14-07-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
Stc successfully lands the first Bahraini submarine cable system; 2Africa Pearls in Bahrain
Marking a significant milestone in global connectivity, stc has announced that the 2Africa cable system – Pearls, the world's longest submarine cable, has successfully landed in Bahrain. With a US$ 205 million investments in 2Africa Pearls submarine cable system, this massive lift up in international connectivity toward Bahrain will reinforce the Kingdom as a powerful ICT hub, speeding up digital transformation across connected countries, attracting significant international investment opportunities, creating jobs and boosting innovation across sectors. The live landing of 2Africa Pearls submarine cable system next to Seef District on 4th of June was witnessed by H.E. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Telecommunications and Eng. Khalid Al Osaimi, Chief Executive Officer, stc Bahrain. The landing operation, which involved connecting the on-board cable to the ground infrastructure, was completed in record time. On this occasion, H.E. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, expressed pride in Bahrain's advanced telecommunications infrastructure, noting that this achievement reflects the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening its position as a regional and global digital hub, in line with the goals of Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030. He emphasized the Ministry's dedication to fostering fruitful partnerships with the private sector, especially the strategic collaboration with stc Bahrain, which stands as a successful model of public-private synergy in advancing digital transformation. H.E. added that the landing of the 2Africa Pearls submarine cable in Bahrain represents a qualitative leap that will enhance the Kingdom's global connectivity, support its digital economy, and open new horizons for innovation and investment. Eng. Khalid Al Osaimi, Chief Executive Officer of stc Bahrain said, 'We are thrilled to land the 2Africa Pearls submarine cable to Bahrain, this will increase Bahrain's current connectivity capacity by 10x, further scalable to accommodate future growth. This is in line with our commitment to advancing Bahrain's position as a leading communications and digital hub for the region, directly aligning with Bahrain's Economic Vision 2030, and its goals for the ICT sector to create a diversified, knowledge-based economy.' Spanning 45,000 km with a massive 180 terabits per second design capacity, the 2Africa submarine cable will enable faster adoption of new technologies and digital solutions. 2Africa Pearls is the only cable in GCC capable of meeting the growing demands of data-heavy applications, including content streaming, cloud computing, and gaming. With the landing of 2Africa Pearls submarine cable system, the cable's massive capacity and low latency will serve as a catalyst for innovation and growth in emerging technologies like 5G, AI, and IoT, providing the essential infrastructure needed to support data-intensive applications and services. The increased connectivity will empower businesses with improved communication, access to global markets, and enhanced operational efficiency. Moreover, for consumers, this transformative project will provide reliable internet services and richer digital experience.
Daily Tribune
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain ‘model of religious freedom and coexistence'
Bahrain is a pioneering model for promoting religious freedom, peaceful coexistence, and national unity in the region. This was emphasised by His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Hamad Global Centre for Coexistence and Tolerance. He attributed this achievement to the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the continued support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. 'Bahrain has long stood as a beacon of peaceful coexistence and mutual respect, offering a civilisational model worthy of emulation,' Dr. Shaikh Abdullah said. 'The Ashura commemoration this year was a clear reflection of our deeply rooted values of tolerance and compassion under the guidance of His Majesty the King and the diligent efforts of the government led by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.' The Minister commended the successful and well-coordinated organisation of the Ashura season, noting that it represented Bahrain's genuine commitment to religious and cultural pluralism. He acknowledged the exemplary coordination among relevant government entities — particularly the Ministry of Interior and the governorates — under the leadership and direct supervision of H.E. Lieutenant General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah also praised the collaboration with the Jaffari Endowments Council, religious scholars, community leaders, mourning center coordinators, and volunteer teams, which together ensured the smooth and respectful observance of religious rituals. 'These collective efforts have portrayed an honorable and civilised image of Bahraini society — one that values law, embraces responsibility, and fosters community partnership,' he noted. Public awareness Dr. Shaikh Abdullah emphasised that the public's awareness and respect for the moral and spiritual significance of religious occasions serve as a pillar of Bahrain's unified national identity. He added that the country's values are deeply rooted in Islamic principles, cultural richness, and a steadfast commitment to moderation, tolerance, and the rejection of extremism and hatred.
Bahrain This Week
18-06-2025
- Business
- Bahrain This Week
BAC and Texel Air Sign MOU at Paris Airshow 2025
His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, reaffirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain's steadfast commitment to advancing its ambitious strategy for the development of the civil aviation sector and the enhancement of related infrastructure, in alignment with the highest international standards. His Excellency emphasized that Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) is a key pillar of this strategy, given the sector's promising investment potential and its vital role in supporting Bahrain's comprehensive aviation ecosystem. He further noted that the expansion of advanced maintenance services at Bahrain International Airport strengthens the Kingdom's ability to attract high-quality investments and contributes meaningfully to the national economic diversification agenda. Dr. Shaikh Abdullah also highlighted the partnership with Texel Air as an exemplary model of public-private sector collaboration in developing aviation services—reinforcing Bahrain's position as a flexible and efficient regional logistics hub. This statement follows the formal signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), the operator and managing body of Bahrain International Airport (BIA), and Texel Air, a specialist in air cargo and aircraft maintenance. The MoU was signed during the Paris Air Show, held from June 16 to 22, 2025, and outlines plans for a major expansion of aircraft MRO hangar capabilities at the airport. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Shaikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, and was officiated by Mr. Jeffrey Goh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air Group on behalf of BAC, and George Chisholm, Executive Board Member of Texel Air. Under the terms of the MoU, Texel Air's operations at Bahrain International Airport will be expanded through the development of a new 7,000-square-meter Code C aircraft hangar, along with an additional 10,000 square meters of apron, maneuvering and taxiway area. The new facility is designed to accommodate up to three Code C aircraft or multiple ultra long-range business jets in a climate-controlled environment, providing specialized parking and maintenance conditions tailored to high-value private and corporate aviation. This substantial infrastructure investment will significantly elevate Bahrain International Airport's capacity and standing as a premier regional aviation hub. The Chairman of Gulf Air Group, Mr. Khalid Hussain Taqi, stated, 'This MoU embodies the Group's long-term vision of creating valuable and sustainable opportunities for private sector partners and investors. This initiative will undoubtedly contribute to supporting the national economy through strategic investment in the Kingdom's aviation infrastructure. Our partnership with Texel Air is crucial. It stands as a truly successful model of effective collaboration. As a Bahraini company with a prominent regional impact, Texel Air's growth trajectory at Bahrain International Airport perfectly aligns with the Group's vision to foster a flexible and attractive environment for air cargo and aircraft maintenance and repair activities.' Mr. Jeffrey Goh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air Group commented, 'BAC is committed to supporting investors at Bahrain International Airport and enabling their commercial expansion and business growth, a core part of BAC's strategy to enhance private aviation operation. Supporting the logistics sector is an urgent necessity for diversifying airport services and solidifying the Kingdom of Bahrain's position as a regional aviation hub. Texel Air is a strategic partner that actively contributes to the air cargo and aviation ecosystem at Bahrain International Airport. Significantly, this expansion reflects investor confidence in the airport's capability to support various services and operations. George Chisholm, Executive Board Member of Texel Air Said, 'This investment reflects Texel Air's long-term commitment to the Kingdom of Bahrain as a strategic base for both commercial and corporate aviation. We're proud to work alongside BAC to build infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of the region.'
