• The roadshow marks the initial step in activating the ICT Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in December 2023 between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Türkiye.

Istanbul – Türkiye

An official delegation led by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) concluded its roadshow in Istanbul, Türkiye. Eng. Khalid Al-Hashmi, Assistant Undersecretary at MCIT, headed the delegation. The delegation comprised representatives from major prominent digital companies in Qatar, such as Ooredoo, Microsoft, Google, Meeza, and Gulf Bridge International.

This visit  comes in the framework of enhancing the digital economic relations with the Republic of Türkiye, and it invites Turkish institutions in both the public and private sectors to utilize cloud platforms and cloud data center services in the State of Qatar. The main aim of the visit is to explore opportunities that facilitate establishing joint projects and exchanging knowledge and technologies between the two countries. The MOU signed between the two countries serves as the foundation for this collaboration, as it defines the framework for the joint efforts, exchange of expertise, and the development of digital infrastructure.

Eng. Khalid Al-Hashmi, head of the delegation, remarked, “This visit implies the start of a new phase aimed at strengthening our bilateral ties with the Republic of Türkiye in the realm of the digital economy. The anticipated outcomes of this visit are to establish the foundation for concrete projects and initiatives, which would elevate the digital landscape in both countries. This collaboration, supported by major digital industry institutions and companies, stands as a model for international cooperation in communications and information technology.”

 The companies participating in the Qatari delegation showcased the services and advantages offered by the State of Qatar to the Turkish companies present at the meeting. They also applauded the digital infrastructure that Qatar offers to facilitate the work of the digital partnerships. The participation of these companies demonstrated the importance of the private sector's work in the State of Qatar and its contribution at the local and international levels.

Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Al Thani, Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo Qatar, stated, “This collaborative venture between Qatar and Türkiye marks a pivotal moment in advancing the ICT sector. At Ooredoo, we are committed to fostering innovation and driving digital transformation. This initiative perfectly aligns with our vision to connect and enrich societies through cutting-edge technology—drawing on our vast experience in national transformation and global ICT solutions, including advanced cloud services and comprehensive cybersecurity.”

Ms. Lana Khalaf, General Manager for Microsoft Qatar said "As a strategic partner of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, we are honored to join the Ministry’s delegation to Turkey and be part of this important initiative. During our visit, we had the opportunity to showcase how Qatar’s first global hyperscale datacenter region can unlock limitless potential for organizations across industries in Turkey. Microsoft Cloud Datacenter region in Qatar offers the most innovative, most secure and most comprehensive cloud services for organization to accelerate their digital innovation and achieve their business goals.”

"The Government of Qatar affirmed that digital transformation is essential to achieving its national vision, helping to foster a smart, knowledge-based economy. We are proud of our partnership with the Qatari government that allows us to deliver on our mission to support Qatar's national digital transformation goals through our Google Cloud region in Doha, that helps transform the way the government and the private sector serve users. We are excited about the opportunities this presents for the State of Qatar as well as the wider region as the country will avail the available in-country existing Cloud infrastructure to other nations." Mr. Selim Eddé, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Google Cloud in Emerging Markets, said.

Mr. Mohsin Nasser Al-Marri, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Meeza, said: “I am pleased to share our active participation in the Turkey Roadshow, reflecting our commitment to advancing Qatar's tech landscape in line with MCIT's visionary goals. Through cutting-edge solutions, we aim to contribute to Qatar's strategic objectives and National Vision 2030. By showcasing our expertise in resilient solutions for both sectors, MEEZA plays a pivotal role in positioning Qatar as a global hub for tech innovation and diplomatic excellence, underscoring our commitment to progress and international connectivity."

“As we are moving into the Digital Era characterized by a shift to an economy based on information and communications technologies (ICT), it becomes vitally important to offer globally integrated services. State of Qatar’s commitment to embrace and accelerate digital transformation, supported by the MCIT’s vision of promoting technology and innovation in line with Qatar National Vision 2030, provides a strong foundation for cross-border, strategic partnership opportunities as discussed in the Türkiye Roadshow event. As Gulf Bridge International (GBI), we are proud to contribute to these plans via utilizing our own global fiberoptic network for seamless and secure connectivity options between the two countries.” Mr. Cengiz Oztelcan, CEO of Gulf Bridge International, said.

It is worth mentioning that this visit signifies the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's commitment to advancing technological strategies that focus on exploring collaborative project opportunities, fostering digital innovation, and endorsing domestic and international digital initiatives.

The State of Qatar’s technology sector is booming thanks to the country’s ongoing efforts to support innovation and invest in tech infrastructure. This aligns with the country’s strategy to become the region's leading technology hub and an ideal destination that showcases the best of the digital world.