Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 36 | Page 17

NEWS New Kuwait 2035 drives digital innovation market to KWD 300 million N ew Kuwait 2035’s nationwide digital roadmap is driving the country’s digital innovation market to nearly KWD 300 million this year and transforming enterprises and daily lives, industry experts have announced at one of Kuwait’s largest technology events of the year, SAP NOW Kuwait. Boosted by digital investment in the oil and gas and retail sectors, Kuwait’s smart services and software market is set to reach KWD293 million in 2018, according to a recent report by BMI Research. Kuwait Vision 2035 is set to leverage digitisation to enhance its standing as a regional financial, commercial and cultural hub. “New Kuwait 2035 is fostering nationwide Digital Transformation to drive economic diversification, private sector job creation and e-government services,” said Qusai Al-Shatti, Deputy Director General for Information Technology Sector at Kuwait’s Central Agency for Information Technology, a keynote speaker at SAP NOW Kuwait. “Digital Transformation is the heart of Kuwait’s enterprises and is making Kuwait’s economy more competitive, and organisations more responsive and predictive to citizens’ needs.” During SAP NOW Kuwait, held under the theme of ‘Driving Change: It All Starts Now,’ hundreds of the country’s public and private sector c-suite executives exchanged best practices in Digital Transformation, learned about New Kuwait 2035’s digital roadmap and learned about the latest digital trends. ///////////////// Raytheon to expand cybersecurity customer base in the Middle East R aytheon Company, a technology and innovation leader specialising in defence, civil government and cybersecurity solutions, has been awarded a multi-year contract with a new unnamed government customer in the Middle East and North Africa region. Raytheon’s intelligence, information and services business will provide advanced cybersecurity solutions and associated training, knowledge transfer and operational and sustainment support. Dave Wajsgras, president of Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services, said: “Raytheon has established a solid track record in providing national level cybersecurity solutions. “We are honoured to have been selected as a trusted cybersecurity partner for this important nation in a region of the world that continues to be impacted by evolving cyberthreats.” Raytheon Company, which reported 2017 sales of US$25 billion and has 64,000 employees, has a history of innovation spanning 96 years. It provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I products and services, sensing, effects and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. www.intelligentcio.com INTELLIGENTCIO 17