Cloud is the next big thing

Manama : Amazon Web Services (AWS) yesterday announced plans to open an office in Bahrain on 1 January 2017. 

The move, according to Teresa Carlson, Vice President Worldwide Public Sector, Amazon Web Services, is aimed at supporting organisations of all sizes, from start-ups to government institutions, as they make the transition to the AWS Cloud. 

“The decision to open one of the first AWS offices in the Middle East, in Bahrain, speaks to the creativity, innovation, and forward thinking we see across all of the Bahrain economy from start-ups through to government institutions. We are excited to bring our team to Bahrain to help the country to grow its economy,” according to a statement released by AWS. 

Commenting on the move, Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive at the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) said, “The Bahrain EDB is committed to helping drive forward the development of a strong and supportive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in the Kingdom. The AWS team will provide invaluable support to all Bahraini organizations as they move to the cloud.”

One of the goals of the office is to expand AWS Cloud Training and Global Certification programmes, and upskill citizens on the opportunity that AWS technology brings. Cloud 10 Scalerator, part of technology investment firm C5, is one organisation that is working with new start-ups in Bahrain to help scale up their businesses by using AWS. 

Andre Pienaar, Founder, C5 said, “With Cloud 10 we are creating a platform, powered by AWS, for the businesses of tomorrow to flourish. We see huge amounts of innovation coming from young, creative entrepreneurs in the MENA region and the cloud is key to fueling their growth.”

Amazon will continue its investment in, and expansion, across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In 2015, Amazon created over 10,000 new jobs in that region. To join the team in Bahrain visit www.amazon.jobs.