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channel partners to enable customers’
Digital Transformation.
In digital skills development, our training
and development institute and next-gen
initiative are building academic programmes
and local capabilities for the younger
generation. As the digital economy advances
and technology field rapidly changes, it is
imperative for Kuwaiti youth to have the
right digital skills to succeed in their careers.
increasingly needing to turn their data into
real-time insights. Emerging technologies
such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine
Learning, Blockchain and the Internet of
Things continue to be major talking points
among CIOs in Kuwait. These technologies,
and Digital Transformation trends were a
major focus during our SAP NOW Kuwait
event, which brought together hundreds of
Kuwait’s leading c-suite executives.
Showing the strong demand for emerging
technologies in Kuwait, among digitally-
leading organisations in the Middle East and
North Africa, at least 70% are investing in
cloud, Big Data, and IoT solutions, according
to the SAP and Oxford Economics Digital
Transformation Executive Study.
How do you deal with stress and
unwind outside the office?
Outside of work, I try to spend as much time
as possible with my family, whether simple
pleasures such as having dinner together
or going to the mall or to the park. I have
three children – a son who’s 10 years old,
a daughter who’s 18 years old and a son
who’s 22. Spending time with my youngest
son provides a lot of enjoyment, especially in
playing Xbox games.
If you could go back and change one
career decision what would it be?
I’m very happy with my career experience
and trajectory, and I would not regret any
part of it. Life takes people on intentional and
unintentional career paths, and it’s important
to examine each stage of life and career.
The most important part of any career is to
be with people who understand the issues
and challenges facing customers and end-
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INTELLIGENTCIO
users, and the solutions that can
help organisations to overcome challenges.
Achieving goals, supporting customers and
solving challenges is a self-fulfilling feeling
that drives your career advancement.
What do you currently identify as
the major areas of investment in
your industry?
Cloud is a key driver for new business growth
and Kuwait is among the most receptive
country in the Middle East in terms of rapidly
adopting cloud solutions. Big Data and
analytics are also at the top of mind for
every CIO in Kuwait.
Kuwait is seeing four major industry verticals
that are digitally transforming the fastest:
public sector and government in delivering
new citizen services, oil and gas in developing
digital oilfields and refining operations,
retail with malls and stores transforming
the customer experience, and banking and
finance in enhancing customer experiences.
What are the region-specific
challenges when implementing new
technologies in the Middle East?
Kuwait and the Middle East organisations
face numerous Digital Transformation
challenges – and Kuwait is rapidly rolling out
legislation that makes it faster and easier for
organisations to be cloud-first. Technology
is a vital pillar of New Kuwait 2035 and we
support Kuwait in enhancing its status as one
of the region’s most digitally-savvy countries.
One of our biggest responsibilities in Kuwait
is to ensure that our SAP PartnerEdge
channel partner programme is building
capacity and extending the reach of our
What changes to your job role have
you seen in the last year and how do
you see these developing in the next
12 months?
My role is always changing – I’m always
learning about new technologies and
gaining greater industry expertise. In
the next 12 months, we are dedicated
to enhancing the level of our customer
services and expand our portfolio of solution
offerings to help our customers in Kuwait to
digitally transform.
Each year, SAP Kuwait changes our focus
to help certain industries. In 2018, we
have been especially focused on the
government and public sector. In 2019, we
will be focusing on supporting the Digital
Transformation of the industry verticals of
energy and natural resources, and banking
and finance. Among our customers in
Kuwait, we are seeing a major shift in
which roles drive Digital Transformation.
Traditionally, CIOs have been the roles
implementing technology strategies based
on business needs. Now, that is reversing –
with lines of business enabling IT solutions
that are driving new business. We’re also
seeing a major shift in the role of the
CIO itself – with the role changing into
chief digital officers who are driving
Digital Transformation.
What advice would you offer
somebody aspiring to obtain c-level
position in your industry?
My advice to professionals looking to
become senior executives in the technology
field is to listen more to customers and
industry experts and to develop the solutions
that can help customers to overcome their
challenges. Becoming a c-suite executive
takes a lot of hard work – it’s important to
work hard and intelligently. n
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