UAE, Greece Sign Agreement to Advance Development of Digital Infrastructure

The agreement was signed by UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi and the Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou. WAM
The agreement was signed by UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi and the Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou. WAM
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UAE, Greece Sign Agreement to Advance Development of Digital Infrastructure

The agreement was signed by UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi and the Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou. WAM
The agreement was signed by UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi and the Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou. WAM

The Ministry of Investment of the UAE and the Greek Ministry of Digital Governance have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a framework for investments in digital infrastructure with a focus on data center projects in Greece.

The agreement was signed by UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Hassan Alsuwaidi and the Greek Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou.

Data centers to be developed under this agreement can reach a total capacity of 500 megawatts.

The data center market in Greece has witnessed significant growth in recent years, largely driven by the country's Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-2025, which aims to facilitate the transformation of companies into digital enterprises and incorporate digital technologies across its economic sectors.

Projections indicate that Greece's data center market will reach $1.218 billion by 2028 from $735 million in 2022, growing at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 9 percent.

With 15 data centers, Greece is set to expand its data infrastructure with an additional 139 megawatts of power capacity from new data centers planned for development over the next five years. This positions the country to become the largest data hub in Southeast Europe and the second largest in the Mediterranean by 2028.

Greece benefits from a network of over ten submarine cables linking the country to crucial global markets, further reinforced by multiple inland internet exchange points, resulting in significantly enhanced connectivity, reliability and an increased appeal for businesses seeking efficient and dependable data exchange.

The MoU between the UAE and Greece focuses on forging effective collaboration by building relationships between public and private organizations. The agreement additionally proposes the implementation of incentives to support pertinent initiatives and aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge.



Getty Images and Shutterstock to Merge, Forming $3.7 billion Stock Image Giant

Craig Peters, CEO of Getty Images, speaks during an interview on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., August 15, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
Craig Peters, CEO of Getty Images, speaks during an interview on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., August 15, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
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Getty Images and Shutterstock to Merge, Forming $3.7 billion Stock Image Giant

Craig Peters, CEO of Getty Images, speaks during an interview on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., August 15, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo
Craig Peters, CEO of Getty Images, speaks during an interview on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., August 15, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

Getty Images said on Tuesday it will merge with rival Shutterstock to create a $3.7 billion stock image powerhouse in a deal that would help the companies navigate the AI era, but likely attract antitrust scrutiny.

Shutterstock's shares were up 9.9% in premarket trading, while shares of Getty Images were up 18.7%, according to Reuters.

The combined company will be named Getty Images Holdings Inc and will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GETY".

At close, Getty Images' CEO, Craig Peters, will serve as CEO of the combined company.

Getty competes with Reuters and the Associated Press in providing photos and videos for editorial use.