Zain, the leading digital service provider in Kuwait, took part in a panel discussion during the Microsoft Smart Government Summit 2022 themed “Technologies shaping the Government Future”. The event was held in collaboration with the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT) and under the patronage of H.E. Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Rana Al Faris.
The event’s opening ceremony was attended by CAIT Director General Haya Al Wadani, Zain Kuwait CEO Eaman Al Roudhan, Zain Kuwait Chief Enterprise Business Officer Hamad Al Marzouq, GM Public Sector of Microsoft MEA Ihab Foudeh, Director General of Microsoft Kuwait Alauddin Kareem, and many prominent government officials and private sector executives.
During the panel discussion titled “How technology helped during the COVID-19 Pandemic”, Zain Kuwait Chief Enterprise Business Officer Hamad Al Marzouq said: “First, I’d like to thank Microsoft for inviting me to take part in this summit, which I personally see as a fantastic step for us all from both the private and public sector to exchange ideas and discuss the role of advanced cloud computing services like Microsoft Azure in empowering digital transformation within the government”.
He added: “Since the start of the pandemic, Zain was committed to actively take part in all efforts directed towards overcoming the crisis’ challenges. We made our tech capabilities available to serve the government’s efforts, especially during such unprecedented times that required doubled efforts and an effective collaboration between the private and public sectors, in order to limit the pandemic’s health, economic, and social impacts”.
Al Marzouq explained: “Zain’s leadership and experience allowed it to be a main partner of the government in developing the “Shlonik” app within a relatively short period of time right after the nation’s leaders directed the implementation of the evacuation plan for citizens stranded abroad. The app, which was developed internally by Zain’s team in partnership with Microsoft and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, had a great effect in containing the spread of the virus in Kuwait”.
Al Marzouq continued: “I would like to stress on our long-term partnership with Microsoft, which has, without a doubt, contributed to achieving our goals to serve the New Kuwait vision. This partnership will surely lead the way towards a new stage of empowering digital transformation within the public sector. Our extensive portfolio of cloud computing and cybersecurity services will attend to the needs of all government institutions, ultimately benefitting citizens and residents”.
Al Marzouq concluded: “The private sector plays a crucial role in empowering government digital transformation projects in Kuwait, and the local market is very mature. That is why we look forward to more achievements and aspire for further developmental projects that will achieve the nation’s vision and help put Kuwait on the international tech scene”.
The Microsoft Smart Government Summit 2022 brought together government leaders and senior ICT professionals to learn more about leveraging the innovative technological solutions to improve the public services offered by various entities. Microsoft hosted panel discussions and specialized breakout rooms for the leaders to interact with technology experts on new and emerging technologies such as Infrastructure/App Modernization, Cyber Security, Data and AI, and E-services which would help formulate a unique roadmap to adopt such technologies and accelerate the government’s journey in providing smart services.