LOC14:16
11:16 GMT
Managing Director of Google Cloud for the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa Abdulrahman Al-Thehaiban
KUWAIT, Nov 5 (KUNA) -- Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar affirmed on Wednesday that the agreement between the Kuwaiti government and Google Cloud represented a strategic milestone in building the national digital infrastructure and a qualitative leap in the management and operation of government services.
Speaking at the "Cloud Day Kuwait" event, Al-Omar stated that the agreement supports the State's vision for a digital economy based on innovation and artificial intelligence (AI), paving the way for the development of future government applications and services that rely on advanced data analytics and informed decision-making.
This, he added, aligns with the political leadership's support for national digital integration and the objectives of "New Kuwait 2035."
The minister explained that, under the agreement, several national projects have been launched, forming the practical foundation for Kuwait's digital transformation. The first is the National Data Exchange Platform (Apigee), which serves as the cornerstone of governmental integration by unifying Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) among government entities within a secure and reliable digital environment.
He added that another key initiative is the Data Migration to Cloud Project (SOW2), which aims to transfer government systems to Google Cloud in a modern and secure manner.
These projects, he noted, are not merely technical steps but represent an integrated operational framework that lays the foundation for a data-driven, smart government, fostering a safe, sustainable digital ecosystem that supports innovation and enhances the quality of life and public services.
The goal is not only to move to the cloud but to build digital sovereignty that safeguards the country's data and enables government entities to operate efficiently, securely, and swiftly, Al-Omar said, noting that over 67 digital interfaces have been activated across eight government bodies, enabling smooth and reliable data exchange.
He expressed his gratitude to Google Cloud for its continuous support in building Kuwait's advanced digital infrastructure, emphasizing that the partnership serves as a global model for public-private collaboration in shaping a sustainable digital future.
In turn, General Manager of Google Cloud Kuwait, Shaymaa Al-Terkait, said the partnership represents a vital investment in the country's future and a pioneering example of cooperation between the public and private sectors to enhance Kuwait's digital capabilities. She stressed that this collaboration contributes to accelerating digital transformation and technological integration across government entities.
Al-Terkait noted that Google Cloud has worked on three main initiatives with government agencies, foremost among them training and capacity-building programs launched in partnership with the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT). These include training programs for all government entities, with plans to expand to universities and startups.
She explained that these programs are offered both online and through in-person events in Kuwait, highlighting the National Skilling Initiative, which has trained more than 2,000 Kuwaitis on Google Cloud technologies.
Al-Terkait affirmed that the second initiative, launched with the Government Communication Center, addresses data-mapping challenges on Google Maps. Through this program, 90 government employees from 40 agencies were trained to create institutional accounts and manage their entities' data directly on the platform.
The third initiative, she said, focuses on developing and promoting Kuwait's tourism sector through artificial intelligence technologies, implemented in cooperation with Google.org, Spark, and the Ministry of Information. The project aims to empower national talent to use AI tools to enhance tourism services and promote local destinations through specialized training programs.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Google Cloud for the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa, Abdulrahman Al-Thehaiban, reaffirmed the company's commitment to supporting Kuwait's digital transformation efforts, noting that cooperation with Kuwaiti government entities dates back several years, beginning with the AFA agreement, which enables 114 government agencies and state-owned enterprises to benefit from Google Cloud services.
Google Cloud has focused on enhancing government operational capabilities through cloud technologies, in addition to training more than 2,000 government employees on advanced digital solutions, he added.
The event also included panel discussions on cloud migration and the journey of Kuwaiti institutions toward adopting Google Cloud technologies, along with sessions on Google Workspace for public sector collaboration and building the National Digital Integration Platform (Apigee), a key pillar of the government-Google Cloud partnership. (end)
fh.aa