Page 76 - SAMENA Trends - Jan-Mar 2024

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Qatar’s Digital Investments to Soar to US$5.7 Billion By 2026

Qatar’s digital investments across 15
priority technologies including AI, IoT
and cybersecurity are expected to soar
to $5.7bn by 2026, up from $1.65bn
in 2022, a new report unveiled by the
Investment Promotion Agency Qatar
(Invest Qatar) has shown. The joint
report was launched in association with
the Ministry of Communications and
Information Technology (MCIT), titled
‘Smarter Qatar: Embracing Emerging
Technologies and Innovation, Improving
Lives and Driving a Sustainable Digital
Economy’. The report showcases Qatar's including Artificial Intelligence (AI), has been remarkable; the country has
commitment to harnessing cutting- Internet of Things (IoT) and cybersecurity. achieved global recognition, leading the
edge technologies for its smart country Qatar’s digital investments across these Global Entrepreneurship Index in the Arab
transition and emphasizes initiatives to priority technologies are expected to world and developing world-leading digital
capitalize on the growing global smart soar to $5.7bn by 2026, up from $1.65bn infrastructure. “This joint report stands as a
city market, projected to approach $7tn in 2022. This initiative spearheads the testament to Qatar’s unwavering dedication
by 2030. Released ahead of the inaugural transformation of vital economic sectors, and serves as an inspiring blueprint for other
edition of the world’s largest technology encompassing transportation, healthcare, countries venturing into their own smart
event in the region, Web Summit Qatar, tourism and education, unlocking key city and smart country initiatives.” Building
the report underscores Qatar's conducive opportunities for sustainable growth future-ready smart cities: Qatar is home to
ecosystem, which fosters the development across these pivotal domains. Reem al- the world’s first commercially available 5G
of emerging and advanced technologies. Mansoori, assistant undersecretary, Digital network and is also ranked first for internet
This supportive environment is bolstered by Industry Affairs, MCIT, said, "Qatar is a adoption globally with nearly a 100%
significant direct government investments vibrant ecosystem for startups and global internet penetration rate. The country has
and comprehensive incubation and businesses, serving as a launch pad for also made substantial investments in areas
acceleration programs designed to support innovating and piloting digital solutions. like Msheireb Downtown Doha and Lusail
entrepreneurs and small and medium Positioned as a strategic gateway to City to create sustainable environments,
enterprises (SMEs). Qatar’s dedicated international markets, we consolidate vital aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030
efforts in digital transformation are resources in this report for entities aiming (QNV 2030). Lusail seamlessly integrates
demonstrated by various initiatives, such to root their digital operations in Qatar. smart technologies with energy-efficient
as MCIT's TASMU Smart Qatar, which Emphasizing quality of life, we welcome buildings to intelligent transportation
fosters a digitally enabled economy. With partners sharing our vision to foster a solutions, while Msheireb Downtown
a focus on stimulating innovation across smarter and more connected Qatar.” Sheikh Doha weaves smart infrastructure into
key sectors, some 15 priority technologies Ali Alwaleed al-Thani, Invest Qatar CEO, its fabric to establish a connected and
have been identified for development, said: “Qatar’s digital transformation journey environmentally conscious urban center.

Nokia and Transworld Build Optical Transport Network in Pakistan, UAE and
Oman

Transworld Associates (TWA) will use accommodating the exponential growth of 28.8Tb/s, and will feature a per-
Nokia’s optical transport solution to of data and bandwidth links between wavelength data rate of 600Gb/s. To meet
build a new optical network connecting data centers. The new optical network TWA’s increasing bandwidth demand,
Pakistan, United Arab Emirates (UAE) between Pakistan, UAE and Oman will Nokia will provide its 1830 Photonic
and Oman as part of its submarine boast a capacity of 9.2Tb/s, helping to Service Switch platforms. Powered by
capacity expansion plan. A submarine support business and end users as the fifth-generation super-coherent Photonic
capacity backhaul system is also being need for improved connectivity across Service Engine (PSE-Vs), the solution
deployed in Karachi Metro. The project will the region intensifies. The submarine robustly manages large data volumes and
support transformation in the region by backhaul system will have a capacity optimizes network performance, while

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