Microsoft has opened a new office in Lusail City, officially expanding its operations and investments in Qatar. In a press release statement, Lana Khalaf, General Manager at Microsoft Qatar, expressed her pride in the office’s design, which incorporated future-proof smart technologies while meeting the highest sustainability standards in the Middle East.
His Excellency Mohammed bin Ali Al-Mannai, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and officials from the U.S. Embassy in Qatar, were invited to celebrate the official opening of the office in Lusail City.
In addition, Microsoft also announced that it will be launching a new Microsoft Cloud Data Centre Region from Qatar, a move that the company expects will enable them to enhance the quality of their service to customers, collaborate with technology partners, and encourage tech talents to join their firm.
Spearheading Innovation Across the Middle East
The new Microsoft facility includes a Customer Innovation Centre which will host innovation and ideation workshops aimed at spurring cross-industry digital transformation through the development of creative solutions.
Khalaf noted that “with the launch of our new offices and our Customer Innovation Center, customers and partners will have the opportunity to co-innovate, ideate and envision ground breaking solutions that will revolutionize their industries.”
Furthermore, Microsoft envisions that the new office will not only serve to be an innovation hub for tech companies and students across Qatar, but will also serve as a regional hub for the company’s talent across Qatar and the wider “Microsoft Middle East Cluster” region, which also includes Kuwait, Egypt, Bahrain, and Oman.
Upcoming Azure Data Centre Region in Qatar
Microsoft first introduced the concept of an Azure region to describe a set of data centres which were deployed within a latency-defined perimeter and connected through a regional low-latency network.
Although Microsoft first opened data centre regions in the United Arab Emirates in 2019, delivering Microsoft Cloud to customers in the region, Microsoft has previously spoken out about the company’s interest in launching an additional Microsoft Cloud Data Centre Region in Qatar.
Earlier in November 2021, Qatari ICT company Meeza launched a new data centre in Doha’s Qatar Science and Technology Park (QSTP) which hosted Microsoft’s Doha Azure Cloud Region.
As such, while Microsoft has not yet shared specific details on its plans for the new Microsoft Cloud Data Centre Region, Microsoft’s move to the new office in Qatar underscores the firm’s commitment to expanding its presence in the region, and build up its stake in the Middle East’s data centre industry.
Khalaf affirmed Microsoft’s commitment towards growth and innovation in Qatar, saying that “Microsoft has been deeply rooted in Qatar, and our commitment to help grow Qatar’s innovation economy has never been stronger.”
“Connectivity and Innovation” is a subcategory under the awards category “Outstanding Datacenter Projects” for this year’s W.Media Asia-Pacific Cloud & Datacenter Awards. Thinking of nominating or sponsoring? Visit our Awards page for more information. Nominations are open until 31st July 2022.
