NEWS
Qatari data centres power World Cup connectivity
Q
atar has gone live with its first
Internet exchange to improve its
global connectivity ahead of the 2022
Fifa World Cup. Launched by the country’s
Communications Regulatory Authority
(CRA), the Qatar Internet Exchange Point
(QIXP) is established in MEEZA’s data centre
in Doha, and will enable local networks
to exchange information efficiently at a
common point within the country, instead of
exchanging the local information outside it.
This helps ensure that Internet users in Qatar
have faster and more secure access to digital
content as MEEZA is a local IT solutions
provider. QIXP is deemed of strategic
importance in terms of information security
and Internet infrastructure stability and
sustainability in Qatar, and for supporting
major events such as the World Cup in 2022,
said Qatar’s government.
Abdulla Jassmi, Technical Affairs Department
Manager for the CRA and QIXP Committee
Chairman, said: “The committee will
continue to work as a team to follow up on
the progress of QIXP, in order to meet the
market requirements of providing advanced
and innovative services to contribute to
achieving the goals of the Qatar National
Vision 2030.”
Other Internet exchange points are set to be
activated during 2020, by using the existing
data centres of telecom service providers,
the government said.
//////////////////
Digital Transformation behind Qatar bank’s growth
T
he Digital Transformation of a Qatari
bank has led to its substantial growth
and continued success. Qatar Islamic Bank
(QIB) announced its financial results for
the year 2019 with it achieving a net profit
of QR3.05 billion, representing a growth
of 10.9% for the same period in 2018.
Additionally, total assets of the bank have
increased by 6.7% compared to December
2018 and now stand at QR163.5 billion.
QIB has embarked on Digital
Transformation to face banking trends
that are changing to meet the customer’s
evolving digital expectations.
QIB’s strategy is closely tied with Qatar’s
National Vision (QNV) 2030 and the
government’s commitment to investment
in the country’s infrastructure, the
diversification of the economy and the
development of a strong private sector.
The bank’s growth strategy is built on its
position as a leading Islamic Bank covering
16
INTELLIGENTCIO
all segments of the financial markets. It has
financed major developmental projects in
different fields which include infrastructure,
oil and gas, construction projects, and other
sectors in alignment with the QNV. QIB has
also been recognised as the ‘Best Islamic
Bank in Qatar’ by Islamic Finance News
(IFN) readers. Bassel Gamal, QIB’s Group
CEO, said: “This showcases that our team’s
commitment to the country, and to our
customers and stakeholders, continues to
be appreciated.”
www.intelligentcio.com