Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 26 | Page 43

INTELLIGENT DATACENTRES EVOTEQ and Khazna to build Sharjah’s first Tier 3 data centre Chairman of Sharjah’s Department of Government Relations; HE Salim Al Owais, Chairman of EVOTEQ; Badr Al Olama, Senior Executive of Mubadala; and HE Khaled Al Huraimel, Executive Board Member of EVOTEQ. Data centres are fast becoming the foundation blocks for enabling EVOTEQ and Khazna have signed an Smart Cities safeguarding business agreement to jointly develop the first Tier 3 data centre in Sharjah continuity, key operations and data sovereignty, which form the EVOTEQ and Khazna are blueprint of Smart Cities. collaborating to jointly develop the EVOTEQ and Khazna intend to combine first Tier 3 data centre in Sharjah. their expertise to develop an industry- standard Tier 3 data centre, encompassing VOTEQ, a leading Digital high-tech security, fire and environmental Transformation catalyst in control systems, and full redundancy the Middle East, and Khazna, grade power. the UAE’s largest data centre wholesale The collaboration is a response to the provider, are collaborating with a view to growing demand for secure, world-class jointly develop Sharjah’s first Tier 3 data data infrastructure by local and international centre. The data centre will enable faster entities. Target sectors of the new data and more efficient Digital Transformation centre include government departments, of Sharjah and its development into a banks, universities, enterprises and Smart City. technology companies. The agreement was formalised by Jihad In addition to enabling and supporting Tayara, CEO of EVOTEQ; and Hassan Al the growth of Sharjah into a Smart City, Naqbi, CEO of Khazna Data Centers in the the planned data centre will also enhance presence of HH Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi, business continuity and scalability Director General of Sharjah Department opportunities for commercial and of e-Government Relations; HE Sheikh government entities. Furthermore, the Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Executive data centre will support Sharjah’s goals for E INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS Issue 26 attracting global and leading technology companies to invest in the Emirate. This is part of the wider vision for the Emirate to bring sustainable economic returns and generate jobs for UAE nationals. Jihad Tayara, CEO of EVOTEQ, said of the announcement: “EVOTEQ aims to play a critical role in the region’s Digital Transformation, beginning with the UAE. Building a Tier 3 data centre in Sharjah will bring considerable digital experience and technological expertise to the table and we are delighted to work with Khazna in developing this ground-breaking project.” Tayara added: “The data centre holds immense benefits to the Sharjah public and private sector and will ensure their future development as the Emirate continues its transitions to a smarter city. “We look forward to creating immense value for Sharjah through this project and building the city’s reputation as a forward looking, futuristic city in line with the leadership’s ambitions.” Hassan Al Naqbi, CEO of Khazna Data Centers, said of the partnership: “We are delighted to partner with EVOTEQ on this ambitious project, as we share a mutual interest in driving Digital Transformation in the UAE. “Building Sharjah’s first Tier 3 data centre will have immense economic benefits not only in Sharjah, but also the wider UAE.” ˜ 43