*** Bahrain to set up region’s largest Technology Park | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Bahrain to set up region’s largest Technology Park

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

stc Bahrain, an operating company part of stc Group, a digital enabler, has announced a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications to launch a first-of-its-kind technology park in the region. stc Bahrain will be leasing 55,000 square meters land from the Bahrain Government to develop the project in Al-Qurain. The project will also be one of the first initiatives in energy efficiency, driving local innovation towards the use of renewable energy.

The new technology park will push new boundaries in the digital field and contribute to Bahrain’s digital economy in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030. In addition to diversifying the economy, the project will focus on uplifting local talent within the tech field. Furthermore, it will offer benefits to local citizens through the localised storage of data that will be closer to end users. 

Kamal Ahmed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, said: “We are pleased with the launch of such an initiative which serves in achieving the objectives of the Fifth National Telecommunications Plan and the recently launched ICT and Digital Economy Strategy which aims at further developing  the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector in the Kingdom in line with various initiatives put forth to achieve the Kingdom’s comprehensive development goals, led by HM King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and in establishing a world-class digital infrastructure.”

Mohammed Alhakbani, stc Bahrain Chairman of the Board, said: “We’d like to thank the Government of Bahrain for its trust in stc Bahrain to deliver one of the most impactful technology parks that will enable building a data Mena hub as part of stc Group strategy dare2.0. We are hoping to continue our strategic partnership to develop more tech projects in the future that will empower the digital economy.”

Nezar Banabeela, CEO of stc Bahrain, said: “We are very excited to be at the forefront of one of the most important technology projects within Bahrain. The new technology park will provide the foundation for the digitisation of sectors across Bahrain, nurture local talent, and host the growing demand for data. As digital enablers, we are proud to be one of the key players leading the path of Bahrain’s journey to digital transformation and empowering the tech ecosystem.”

The project is in line with stc Group strategic objectives to build a Mena digital hub and invest in breakthrough technologies as a global telecommunications and ICT player. stc Bahrain has been instrumental in driving transformation within Bahrain – a population that is tech-savvy with an advanced digital infrastructure.

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Speaking to The Daily Tribune on the sidelines of the agreement signing ceremony, Mr Ahmed said establishing a world-class digital infrastructure is of great significance in ensuring economic growth in the coming years. “Digitalisation of data is the first step towards creating a digital economy. We aim to attract many companies to the Kingdom to further boost our digital economic growth plans.”