Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) and the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) have announced an expansion of partnership with Google Cloud, which will include a new Center of Excellence training facility and new Google office in Qatar.
This follows earlier announcements about a Google Cloud region in Qatar allowing new and existing customers to run their cloud workloads locally. These initiatives, which build on QFZA’s strategic collaboration agreement with Google Cloud announced in 2020, support the continued growth of the technology ecosystem in Qatar.
The Center of Excellence provides free, hands-on training in Google tools and technologies for both individuals and businesses seeking to expand their technology skills. The Center will also serve as an incubator for high-potential startups and a hub for research to address digital transformation challenges.
Training programs currently on offer at the Center of Excellence focus on Cloud technology and include the Cloud Academy program, a 7- and 11-week online learning journey supported by instructor-led training days. Attendees of all programs will benefit from an online community for peer-to-peer support, technical mentorship and office hours as well as six months access to the full library of the Google Cloud training materials.
In line with COVID precautions, the Center of Excellence is now live virtually. The physical space at the Center will open in Doha later this year.
Google Cloud has officially been established in Qatar, and Qatar Free Zones will host the new office in Msheireb Downtown, Doha. Companies of all sizes are welcome to reach out to the locally based team to find out more about Google Cloud’s products and solutions that accelerate organisations’ ability to digitally transform and reimagine their business through data powered innovation.
In addition to the local team, a strong network of partners has been onboarded to support companies with their digital transformation projects.
Lim Meng Hui, CEO of QFZA, said: “Through our growing relationship with Google Cloud and strategic partnership with MOTC, we’re proud to support the continued growth and development of the technology sector in Qatar, and help the community of innovators operating in QFZ reap the benefits of that growth.”
Robert Enslin, President of Google Cloud, added: “We could not be more thrilled to bring the next stage of our partnership with QFZA to life by announcing the opening of our Center of Excellence and our first Cloud Academy training cohort. These courses are being offered as part of our support and commitment in the process of digital transformation and development for the country.”
MOTC’s Mashael Ali Al-Hammadi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary, Government Information Technology, expressed her delight with the strategic partnership.
“Widening such partnerships with major global technology firms is very important. We are also sure that harnessing digital skills and incubating innovation programs and startups play a key role in promoting the digital transformation agenda and keeping pace with a fast-paced technology landscape, in step with the Qatar National Vision 2030,” said Al-Hammadi.
“There is no doubt that Google Cloud has got what it takes to contribute significantly to enhancing innovation and creativity with the power of technology through hands-on training courses the Center will provide, and this reflects positively on our national economy.”
Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) started its operations in 2019 and it oversees and regulates world-class free zones in Qatar and secures fixed investments within the zones.
