Digital & Innovation Bulletin
Welcome to the recent headlines in the region rounded up by Baker Tilly’s fINe (Fostering Innovation and Excellence Centre). Here you'll find the latest news highlights relevant to the digital & innovation domain. If you have any questions or would like to discuss our newsletter, please contact us
QATAR
Tawteen and Microsoft have entered a strategic partnership to accelerate digital transformation in the energy sector in Qatar and achieve Tawteen’s objectives. To ink the partnership, a memorandum of understanding was signed at QatarEnergy’s headquarters, under which, Under the MoU, Tawteen and Microsoft will focus their efforts on four main areas: Skills Development; Digital Transformation; Innovative partner ecosystem; and Sustainable Impact. The partnership will also leverage Microsoft programs to empower local SMEs and startups with competencies to join other established local and global energy partners that lead responsible innovation across the energy sector to build groundbreaking energy solutions serving the region and the world.
Qatar, represented by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), reviewed its general policy in digital transformation and the advancement of information technology, during the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP), which runs in the Romanian capital Bucharest until October 14. In a session dedicated to presenting the progress made by the ITU member states in digital transformation, Communications and IR Manager at CRA Hussain Salatt underlined that Qatar attaches great importance to digital transformation within Qatar National Vision 2030 to build an advanced society; stressing Qatar’s support for the strategic goals and objectives proposed by the ITU for the period 2024-2027.
The significant acceleration of digital agendas over the past two years has resulted in a continuously changing and increasingly digitally driven world. As Qatar prepares to host the FIFA World Cup later this year, unprecedented technological innovations within the country have reached all-time high. In fact, recent research from International Data Corporation (IDC) suggests that 57% of Qatari organizations have introduced new digital products and services over the last 12-18 months, while 70% have increased cost efficiencies through the digitalization of operations.
University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) announced that it has initiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with leading technology giant, Microsoft. The agreement brings forward many collaboration opportunities in the fields of information technology and digital skilling. Both parties agreed to conduct many sessions related to different Microsoft programs. The UDST community will benefit from Microsoft’s support, training, and education on its technologies. Furthermore, the university’s students will be provided with the know-how to enhance their career planning and personal profile development.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) renewed their partnership this week with a commitment of an additional $10 million for the UNDP Accelerator Labs, the fastest and largest learning network on sustainable development working in 115 countries.The two organizations signed a renewal agreement for the period 2022-2025, bringing Qatar’s total support to the UNDP Accelerator Labs at $30 million. From climate change to the future of work to digital transformation, the UNDP Accelerator Labs are defined by their ability to find, test, and iterate solutions and to learn from local innovators to advance learning on how to solve the world’s global development challenges.
NEWS FROM THE REGION
The 24th Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) and Dubai Solar Show (DSS) will host a number of the world’s leading companies in the field of digital transformation, smart and sustainable cities. The exhibition witnesses the launch of several new technologies that support the acceleration of digital transformation and the use of environmentally friendly technologies. Participating companies seek to benefit from the ideal opportunities offered by the exhibition to expand their business and launch new offices and branches in the UAE and the region.
IBM’s longstanding Middle East partner, Gulf Business Machines has bought a majority stake in Dubai-based Coordinates Middle East, which is into cyber security services. Coordinates, which came into being in 2015, has emerged as a ‘pure-play’ managed detection and response firm. The company’s clients include those in oil and gas, government, healthcare, and financial services.
领英推荐
The Oman Pavilion is being held at GITEX Global for the first time with an aim to demonstrate the development and integration of the technology sector in the GCC countries and showcase its innovation and latest trends. GITEX Global is one of the world’s most influential meeting places for the technology industry; bringing together thought-leaders, creators, innovators, and makers to discuss, debate and challenge new ideologies, showcase new products and identify future opportunities. GITEX 2022 will take place on 10-14 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre, United Arab Emirates.
NEOM Tech & Digital Company – the first company to be established as a full-fledged subsidiary of NEOM; Saudi Arabia’s flagship business and tourism development on the Red Sea – has rebranded as ‘Tonomus’, the company announced on Tuesday, as it works to integrate artificial intelligence-led technology in the building of its mega projects. Headquartered at NEOM, Tonomus is building the cognitive foundation and adopting AI-led solutions integral to the development of NEOM and its flagship initiatives, including the futuristic city THE LINE, - which, when completed, will accommodate up to nine million residents in communities characterized by their revolutionary vertical design – and the city of OXAGON.
Saudi Arabia implements data driven-government to realise digital economy as part of the Vision 2030
Saudi Arabia, which is executing the third phase of the three-stage data-driven government or the National Strategy for Digital Transformation, is currently bringing all the public services under a single digital platform as part of the Smart Government Strategy (2020-2024), that once implemented, will deliver public services through smart phones, on the citizen’s fingertips. More than 300 senior government officials, Chief Information Officers, IT experts, ICT companies, public policymakers, and technology developers will brainstorm at the two-day Data-Driven Government Conference, KSA, at the Fairmont Hotel, Riyadh from November 9 to 10, 2022, on Saudi Arabia’s progress in the digitalization and data utilisation in the public sector.
Intersec Saudi Arabia, the annual three-day exhibition for the country’s fire and emergency, security, and safety sectors, wrapped up on Thursday with key leaders mapping out a future in which security – both real and cyber – must be a constant, central focus if the Kingdom is to meets its Vision 2030 goals. Running from September 13-15, thousands of industry professionals, decision-makers, and thought-leaders gathered at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Centre for knowledge sharing, networking, and product showcases. This year’s event, the fourth edition, featured more than 150 exhibitors from 20 countries.
Baker Tilly’s fINe is our centre of excellence for enabling digital & Innovation across all sectors for our clientele. We have over 20 centres across the globe with a strong presence in the Middle East and Africa.
Disclaimer: These news articles have been taken from various local newspapers across the region. The intent is to help our readers stay informed with the developments related to digital and Innovation in the region
Devesh Vijay
Regional Head of Digital and Innovation Advisory
+974 7008 0110