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Qatar signs deal with Google Cloud

Qatar is seeking to digitize its economy and government, while Google Cloud wants to expand in the Middle East.

Sean Gallup/Getty Images
The Google Cloud logo is seen on a notebook at the Google Germany offices on Aug. 31, 2021, in Berlin, Germany. — Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Google and the Qatari government signed a cooperation agreement on cloud computing today. 

The Qatari Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has awarded a cloud computing services agreement to Google Cloud. The US search engine giant will cooperate with Qatar on its digital transformation and efforts to utilize cloud computing on a larger scale. Google will help the ministry use cloud computing and artificial intelligence for data storage, managing computer networks and more, the official Qatar News Agency reported. 

What it means: The Google Cloud platform offers a variety of advanced computing solutions, including machine learning and data analytics. The platform includes several “Cloud regions” where these services are available. 

Why it matters: Google Cloud is spreading in the Middle East. Last week, Google opened a new Cloud region in Tel Aviv — its first in the Middle East. Doha will receive its Cloud region “soon,” according to Google’s website, as will Dammam in eastern Saudi Arabia. 

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