Google Cloud, the cloud computing arm of the technology giant Google, expects to contribute about $110 billion to the Saudi economy over the next seven years.
Abdul Rahman Al-Thehaiban, General Manager of Google Cloud in the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa, said the recent establishment of three cloud zones in Dammam, Doha and South Africa embodies Google Cloud’s dedication to strengthening its infrastructure to better serve the diverse needs of the region.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of LEAP, the international tech event, which was held in Riyadh on March 4-7, Al-Thehaiban noted that the establishment of the three cloud zones “not only indicates a major investment in the future of the digital landscape in the region, but also makes us a pivotal player” in the technological revolution sweeping these markets.
He added that Google Cloud’s approach was based on three basic pillars: infrastructure development, ecosystem partnership, and capacity building.
Badr Al-Madi, General Manager of Google Cloud in Saudi Arabia, pointed out that the launch of the cloud zones in November meets the needs of 1.2 million small and medium enterprises in the Kingdom, highlighting the importance of this achievement for the technology giant.
Regarding the broader economic impact of Google Cloud’s operations in Saudi Arabia, Al-Madi expects a contribution of about $110 billion to the local economy over the next seven years.
This contribution is likely to be driven by changes in business models and the creation of about 150,000 job opportunities, “which confirms the role of Google Cloud in supporting not only the digital landscape but also the general economy in the region,” he underlined.
Google Cloud is working to expand its internal team and launch centers of excellence that are designed to “raise the level of skills and ensure that the local workforce is equipped to benefit from Google Cloud technologies effectively,” according to Al-Thehabian, who emphasized the importance of these initiatives in supporting the digital transformation journey in the region.
Al-Madi believes that launching the cloud zone in November 2023 is consistent with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to enhance the contribution of small and medium-sized companies to the GDP and stimulate economic growth.
