KUWAIT CITY, Nov 5: Kuwait’s government on Wednesday highlighted its agreement with Google Cloud as a strategic milestone in building the nation’s digital infrastructure and a major step forward in managing and operating government services.

Minister of State for Communications Omar Al-Omar, speaking at the “Cloud Day Kuwait” event, said the partnership supports the country’s vision for a digital economy driven by innovation and artificial intelligence (AI). He noted it paves the way for future government applications and services that leverage advanced data analytics and smart decision-making, aligning with the leadership’s support for national digital integration and the goals of the "New Kuwait 2035" vision.

Under the agreement, several national projects have been launched to form the foundation of Kuwait’s digital transformation. The first, the National Data Exchange Platform (Apigee), unifies Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) across government entities in a secure and reliable environment. Another key initiative, the Data Migration to Cloud Project (SOW2), aims to transfer government systems to Google Cloud safely and efficiently.

“These projects are not merely technical steps,” Al-Omar said. “They establish a smart, data-driven government, creating a secure, sustainable digital environment that fosters innovation and enhances the quality of life and public services. Our goal is not just to move to the cloud but to build digital sovereignty that protects state data and enables government entities to operate efficiently, securely, and quickly.”

He added that more than 67 digital interfaces have already been activated across eight government entities, supporting the smooth and reliable exchange of data. Al-Omar expressed gratitude to Google Cloud for its support, calling the partnership a global model for public-private collaboration in building a sustainable digital future.

Shaima Al-Terkait, General Manager of Google Cloud Kuwait, described the partnership as a vital investment in the country’s digital future and a pioneering example of public-private cooperation to enhance digital capabilities. She outlined three main initiatives with government agencies.

The first, in partnership with the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), focuses on training and digital capacity-building programs for all government entities, with plans to expand to universities and startups. The “National Skills” program has already trained more than 2,000 Kuwaitis in Google Cloud technologies.

The second initiative, implemented with the Government Communication Center, addressed challenges related to data mapping on Google Maps. Ninety government employees from 40 agencies were trained to manage institutional accounts and entity data directly on the platform.

The third initiative targets Kuwait’s tourism sector, leveraging AI technologies in collaboration with Google.org, Spark Foundation, and the Ministry of Information. It aims to empower Kuwaitis to enhance tourism services and promote local destinations through specialized training programs.

Abdulrahman Al-Dhaheban, Managing Director of Google Cloud for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, reaffirmed the company’s support for Kuwait’s digital transformation. He noted that cooperation with Kuwaiti government entities began years ago with the Advanced Application Framework (AFA), benefiting 114 government agencies and state-owned enterprises. Over 2,000 government employees have been trained on advanced digital solutions to date.

The Cloud Day Kuwait event also featured panel discussions on cloud migration, the adoption of Google technologies by Kuwaiti institutions, public sector collaboration using Google Workspace, and building the National Digital Integration Platform via Apigee, highlighting the partnership’s role in integrating government systems.