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Microsoft launches new data centre region in Qatar that will create 36,000 jobs
M icrosoft has opened its first cloud data centre region in Qatar as it adds tens of thousands of jobs to the country ’ s economy , The National reported last month .
The US technology company said it is the first hyperscale cloud provider to deliver enterprise-grade services in Qatar , and its data centres are open for business with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 available . “ We are adding more than $ 18 billion to the economy over the next five years and we are also adding more than 36,000 new jobs over the next five years ,” said Lana Khalaf , General Manager , Microsoft Qatar AFP reported . She said at a launch ceremony that it will help Qatar to become a “ digital hub for the region and the world ”.
The new data centre region will help Qatar ’ s digital transformation as it seeks to diversify its economy away from a reliance on oil and gas and comes as part of the Qatar National Vision 2030 .
Earlier this year , Microsoft , in partnership with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology ( MCIT ), launched the National Skilling Programme , with the goal to train more than 50,000 people in Qatar through providing digital skills acquisition programmes during the next four years .
So far , the programme has benefited more than 14,000 people , Microsoft said .
GCC states are attracting a large number of global cloud technology companies because of the increase in tech-focused young consumers and an evolving digital landscape in the region .
The global cloud computing market was valued at US $ 368.97 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of almost 16 per cent from 2022 to 2030 , with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning among its primary drivers , according to Grand View Research .
Last month , Amazon Web Services , the cloud computing unit of the world ’ s biggest e-commerce marketplace , launched its second Middle East cloud region in the UAE .
The move is projected to add about US $ 11 billion over the next 15 years to the UAE ’ s gross domestic product , the company said . •
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