Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ) and Quantiphi, a Google Cloud partner, and an award-winning AI-first digital engineering company, have signed an agreement to establish a global technology hub in Qatar’s free zones to meet the surging demand for AI and generative AI enterprise solutions to drive innovation and accelerate digital transformation initiatives across Qatar and the region.

The agreement was signed by Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Faisal al-Thani, CEO of QFZ and Ritesh Patel, co-founder of Quantiphi, during the Google Cloud Summit in Doha, in the presence of senior executives from QFZ, Quantiphi, and Google Cloud.

The agreement with Quantiphi was signed one year after the Google Cloud region in Doha was launched in 2023. Under the agreement, Quantiphi’s new technology hub at the free zones in Qatar will help position Qatar as a leader in AI and digital innovation. The collaboration will also foster broader cooperation between Quantiphi and QFZ on AI and generative AI enterprise solutions aiming to advance the technology sector in Qatar.

Sheikh Mohamed said, “We are delighted to welcome Quantiphi’s global technology hub to the free zones in the State of Qatar. This partnership with Quantiphi, to leverage Google Cloud services, highlights our ongoing efforts to position Qatar as a leader in technological innovation.

“By leveraging AI and digital engineering, we are poised to achieve unprecedented growth and development in the technology sector. This contributes to Qatar’s digital transformation aligning with the pillars of Qatar National Vision 2030 to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy.”

Patel said, “The expansion to Qatar, a country known globally for connecting stakeholders in AI, entrepreneurship, and innovation, underscores Quantiphi’s commitment to strategic growth, partnership, and continued adaptation to global market needs.

“Qatar is an optimal location for Quantiphi’s continued expansion because it's regarded as a technology leader within the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC). We are excited to collaborate with QFZ to further our mission and drive technological advancements in the region.”

Saurabh Mishra, Google Cloud Global Business Leader at Quantiphi, said: “With more than a decade of experience in building data and AI solutions, Quantiphi and Google Cloud are well positioned to meet the demands of enterprises globally and enable them to invest in future technologies. Quantiphi’s expansion into Qatar is endorsed by QFZ, which regulates world-class free zones in Qatar and offers business benefits to expand operations within the region.

“This solidifies our commitment to foster a cutting-edge technology ecosystem in the region in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030, to bring transformation through knowledge and innovation-led solutions.”

Ghassan Kosta, Regional General Manager of Google Cloud Qatar, said: “Our partnership with Quantiphi is another testament to our commitment to advancing AI and cloud technology in the region. Through our valuable partner network, we aim to help drive innovation and enable businesses to thrive in the digital age.

“The support from QFZ underscores the importance of creating a dynamic ecosystem that fosters growth and aligns with Qatar’s vision for a technology-driven future. We are delighted that this partnership was signed at the Google Cloud Doha Summit on the first anniversary of our Doha Cloud Region and look forward to supporting Quantiphi and QFZ in their ambitious initiatives.”

The new hub in Qatar’s free zones is planned to showcase the strategic foresight and commitment to enhancing digital and technological efficiencies of both parties. By integrating state-of-the-art technology and extensive industry expertise, this collaboration unlocks unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation. Together, QFZ, and Quantiphi, will be paving the way for a more connected world and setting new benchmarks for strategic partnerships.