SAP Experts focus on business transformation in the cloud, building resilient operations and supply chains, and creating a robust workforce for Kuwait’s digital economy.
Recently, all the major senior Kuwaiti government officials, business leaders and other strategic thinkers were joined by the German ambassador for SAP Discovery Day held in the capital. Discussions focused on initiatives to develop local technological talent, transform businesses in the cloud, build resilient supply chains, and create sustainable enterprises to support Kuwait’s future digital economy.
Among the many developments highlighted at the event was how SAP and Google Cloud are collaborating, with the support of the Kuwaiti government, to facilitate companies’ digital transformations. With the launch of Google Cloud’s local data center announced this year, Kuwaiti businesses will be able to adopt either of SAP’s acceleration programs – RISE with SAP or GROW with SAP – to facilitate their move to the fast, secure, reliable and clean Google Cloud platform. This approach will enable companies to benefit from the comprehensive range of SAP cloud solutions that include automatically updated programs with embedded emerging technologies such as AI and automation, as well as sustainability metrics and data analytics.
Dr. Khaled Mahdi, Secretary-General of the General-Secretariat of The Supreme Council for Planning and Development, who participated in an emerging technology panel discussion, noted, “Emerging technologies will shape Kuwait’s future planning and development in the context of public policy. We are actively exploring the benefits and challenges of incorporating AI into decision-making processes at Kuwait’s General-Secretariat of The Supreme Council for Planning and Development for the benefit of our citizens.”
Dr. Ammar Alhusaini, Acting Director General of the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), also participated in the panel discussion, highlighting how collaboration between the public and private sectors could accelerate the pace of digital transformation in Kuwait.
After the session, Dr. Al Hussaini commented, “Digital transformation is a fundamental pillar of the New Kuwait Vision 2035, and public-private partnerships and foreign investment are key strategic components of economic diversification. Collaborations with global technology companies such as SAP and Google Cloud, which are focused on facilitating digital transformation and developing Kuwaiti talent, will help to create a digital society to benefit all citizens. International collaboration ensures we are implementing global best practices and that Kuwait remains at the forefront of business and technology developments in the region.”
During the Discovery Dual event, SAP highlighted its commitment to developing and upskilling Kuwaiti technology talent through the SAP University Alliances, the SAP Dual Study Program, and the SAP Young Professionals Program. SAP University Alliances represents an ongoing initiative to empower young people to create a sustainable future by enabling academia to educate the next generation to lead digital transformation, including socially and environmentally responsible business processes.
On the sidelines of the event, Badih Hakim, Managing Director, SAP Kuwait, said of these initiatives, “The partnership between SAP and educational institutions under the SAP Dual Study Program, and between local businesses and the SAP Young Professionals Program, demonstrate how private-public collaborations can support measurable skills development. The programs train students for a successful future aligned with Kuwait’s focus on digital transformation. SAP is committed to expanding these programs in partnership with Kuwaiti institutions and enterprises to ensure that the future leaders of tomorrow are equipped with the technological skills they will need. In addition, SAP is committed to providing career opportunities to nationals. He adds that over the past year, SAP Kuwait increased the proportion of nationals in its employ to 30%.”
“We hope that SAP Discovery Day has demonstrated how Kuwaiti companies can more easily align with the government’s digital transformation agenda, while simultaneously benefiting from new automation and data analytics capabilities supported by new technologies to transform their businesses into intelligent sustainable enterprises,” concluded SAP’s Hakim.
