The American IT giant Oracle, which specializes in cloud computing systems, database technology, and enterprise software, has chosen Saudi Arabia to host its cloud data center regional hub for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The strategic importance of the emerging Saudi technology sector was the main reason Oracle chose the country to be one of 20 global data centers and the first in the MENA region, with another Saudi-based data center planned for the near future. The data center, located in Jeddah, will support Saudi Arabia’s tech initiatives in its Vision 2030 program, which aims to digitally and technologically transform the country by investing in emerging technologies and their applications such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things (IoT), virtual reality, 3D printing, and blockchain technology. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology H.E. Eng. Abdullah Al-Swaha and senior officials of Oracle Saudi Arabia were present to commemorate the data center’s launch and recognize its part in Vision 2030’s goal of promoting a culture of innovation to support startups and entrepreneurs.
