Google Cloud has officially launched its new cloud region in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, marking a significant expansion of its services in the Middle East. This development is aimed at providing high-performance and low-latency cloud services to a diverse range of customers, including public sector organizations, large businesses, SMEs, and startups. The inauguration reflects Google Cloud’s commitment to supporting the achievement of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives.
The launch event, held on November 15th, was attended by Google Cloud’s CEO Thomas Kurian, Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban, Managing Director for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, and other senior officials from Google Cloud and the Saudi government.
A study by Access Partnership, a global tech policy advisory firm, commissioned by Google Cloud, predicts that the new cloud region could contribute a cumulative $109 billion in gross economic output to the Saudi economy between 2024 and 2030. This growth is expected to generate substantial economic activity, supporting the creation of 148,600 jobs in 2030 alone.
Eng Abdullah Al Swaha, Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology, expressed confidence in Google Cloud’s investment, stating it will bolster the Kingdom’s ambitions as a regional computing hub and support digital entrepreneurship and AI-based innovation across various sectors.
Google Cloud CEO Kurian highlighted the transformative power of AI and the role of the new cloud region in enabling organizations to innovate, engage customers, and operate efficiently. The Dammam cloud region is expected to provide a modern, sustainable infrastructure with built-in security features, catering to both public and private sector needs.
The cloud region is also seen as a vital resource for the growth of over 1.2 million SMEs in Saudi Arabia, aligning with Vision 2030’s goal for SMEs to contribute 35% to the GDP by 2030. Google plans to launch the Google for Startups Cloud Program in Saudi Arabia in the first quarter of 2024, offering support and resources to eligible startups.
CNTXT, a strategic joint venture between Cognite and Aramco, will serve as Google Cloud’s exclusive reseller in Saudi Arabia, facilitating access to Google Cloud Platform services for local organizations and multinationals.
Al Thehaiban and Bader Al Madi, Saudi Arabia Country Manager for Google Cloud, emphasized their commitment to leading digital transformation in the region and supporting the digital empowerment of businesses and individuals in Saudi Arabia.
This launch signifies a major step in Google Cloud’s efforts to enable digital transformation and leverage AI and cloud technologies in the Kingdom, enhancing business processes and customer experiences to meet evolving market needs.
