NEWS
Google Cloud opens office in Kuwait licensed by Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority
Google Cloud announced the opening of its new offices in Kuwait licensed by Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority , at an event attended by His Excellency Omar Saud Al-Omar , Minister of Commerce and Industry and Minister of State for Communication Affairs .
This expansion further signifies Google Cloud ’ s commitment to supporting Kuwait ’ s national digital transformation journey , including the modernisation of government services and the advancement of economic development . data expertise , and AI capabilities to government agencies and key state- owned entities , enhancing their operations and cybersecurity .
Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban , Managing Director of Google Cloud in the Middle East , Türkiye and Africa said at the event : “ Opening Google Cloud offices in Kuwait is yet another step to meet the demand for our services and expertise in Kuwait to support the New Kuwait Vision 2035 vision which aims to transform the country into a digital society and diversify its economy .”
Google Cloud is working within the framework of the strategic alliance with the government in cooperation with the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority , the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority , and the Central Agency for Information Technology , CAIT .
Since establishing a presence in Kuwait , Google Cloud has been collaborating with CAIT through a national skilling programme to upskill government employees , entrepreneurs , and recent graduates in digital technologies with Google Cloud ’ s solutions .
In January 2023 , Google Cloud announced a national alliance framework agreement with the Kuwaiti government to develop a roadmap for a comprehensive digital transformation programme across government entities and key state-owned enterprises . The partnership will bring Google Cloud ’ s cutting-edge technology ,
“ We are working with the government of Kuwait towards digitising citizen services and increasing the productivity of government employees , in addition to participating in the implementation of several digital transformation initiatives in healthcare , education , disaster recovery , and smart living .”
BitOasis announces expansion in GCC with new license and office in Bahrain
BitOasis , the Middle East and North
Africa ’ s , MENA regional cryptocurrency trading platform announced receiving a Category 2 Crypto-Asset Services License from the Central Bank of Bahrain , paving the way for expanding its footprint in the GCC .
BitOasis Bahrain received its license shortly after BitOasis reopened its trading platform in Dubai to new retail and institutional users following the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority , VARA lifting an earlier suspension of its MVP Operational license on 12 April 2024 .
In 2021 , BitOasis became the first virtual assets trading platform to be registered with the United Arab Emirates Financial Intelligence Unit and was amongst the first companies to secure a provisional operating permit from Dubai ’ s VARA , after the regulator ’ s establishment in early 2022 .
In 2023 , BitOasis became the first virtual asset broker-dealer to secure an MVP Operational license from VARA and is currently in the process of applying for a full Virtual Asset Service Provider , VASP license with the regulator .
Ola Doudin
BitOasis has also had extensive collaboration with the UAE ’ s Executive Office of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing in conducting the authority ’ s national risk assessment on virtual assets , and has recently announced a partnership with Dubai Police focused on awareness raising and knowledge sharing .
The landmark regulatory approval in Bahrain will enable BitOasis to launch its new broker-dealer platform through its local company in the Kingdom , BitOasis Bahrain . Located in Bahrain Fintech Bay , BitOasis Bahrain will be home to a small team of core employees at its inception , to launch its new platform , expected to go live in the second half of 2024 .
Ola Doudin , Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BitOasis , said : “ With regulation at the forefront of a maturing regional crypto market , we are delighted to have secured this new license from the Central Bank of Bahrain .”
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