AWS launches UAE server region

Amazon Web Services (AWS), the IT services subsidiary of the Washington online retail giant, has announced the launch of a new server region in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The launch represents AWS’s second region launch in the Middle East, and will serve developers, enterprises, governments and more around the Gulf.

Amazon said that the launch will support an average of nearly 6,000 full-time jobs annually at external vendors with a planned US$5 billion investment in the local economy through 2036. The company also said that the AWS Middle East (UAE) Region will add an estimated US$11 billion over the next 15 years to the UAE’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The new launch brings AWS to 87 availability zones across 27 geographic regions, with announced plans to launch 21 more availability zones and seven more AWS Regions in Australia, Canada, India, Israel, New Zealand, Spain, and Switzerland

Prasad Kalyanaraman, vice president of Infrastructure Services at AWS, said: “AWS is committed to helping customers in the UAE deploy the most advanced cloud technologies and achieve the highest levels of security, availability, and resiliency. With the launch of the AWS Middle East (UAE) Region, we are making it possible for even more customers to harness the power of the cloud to drive innovation across the UAE, while also investing in the local economy through job creation, training for highly sought-after technology skills, and education resources to further advance the UAE’s strategic priorities.”

Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, said: “The opening of the AWS Middle East (UAE) Region is a significant milestone for Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a whole, reflecting our efforts to generate opportunities for all. It strengthens Abu Dhabi’s commitment to positioning itself as a leading digital economy by leveraging cutting-edge technology to support business growth. The enhanced cloud capabilities enabled by AWS are expected to generate significant advantages and efficiencies that can propel businesses to success and realise major economic benefits for the country.”