Zain drives digital innovation to power the future of Kuwait's energy sector
Company joined roundtable hosted by KDIPA and The Business Year
KUWAIT: Zain participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by the global media group The Business Year, in collaboration with the Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA). The event brought together senior leaders from the energy and finance sectors, representatives of global corporations, and international partners to explore the future of digital and sustainable energy in Kuwait.
The session featured the participation of KDIPA Director General Sheikh Dr Meshaal Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, and Zain Kuwait's Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Hamad Al-Marzouq, who highlighted Zain's role as a strategic partner in advancing the digital transformation of Kuwait's vital sectors, particularly the energy sector. During the session, Al-Marzouq stated: 'At Zain, we believe that the future of Kuwait's energy sector is rooted in digital innovation, and that our role as a strategic partner goes beyond providing technical solutions. It is about building genuine partnerships that help enhance operational efficiency and deliver long-term sustainability.'
Al-Marzouq highlighted Zain's role in digitally empowering the energy sector.
He added: 'By leveraging our advanced network and expertise in artificial intelligence and data analytics, we work closely with leading national energy companies to accelerate digital transformation across various environments, including refineries and large-scale industrial facilities, with a focus on improving safety, enhancing efficiency and supporting environmental objectives.' Al-Marzouq concluded: 'We remain fully committed to supporting the New Kuwait 2035 Vision by empowering vital sectors with advanced technologies and strengthening collaboration across public and private sectors. We are proud to play a role in building a sustainable digital economy that aligns with the nation's aspirations and reinforces Kuwait's position as a regional hub for energy and innovation.'
The roundtable, titled Empowering Energy Transformation, focused on the pivotal role of the energy sector in supporting Kuwait's vision to become a thriving regional business hub, with a strong focus on attracting investment. The session also explored the importance of local and international partnerships, recent discoveries, and emerging technological advancements in shaping the future of the sector, and the role of the oil and gas industry in driving the transition toward a low-carbon economy that supports Kuwait's national sustainability goals.
Zain continues its long-standing partnership with The Business Year, based in London, to support the hosting of such valuable gatherings, as the company strongly believes in the vital role these platforms play in fostering dialogue, exchanging ideas and enabling innovation across various market sectors. Zain also commends the significant efforts of KDIPA in improving Kuwait's business environment, driving economic diversification, enhancing competitiveness, and positioning Kuwait as an attractive global financial and investment hub. The company reaffirms its commitment to supporting these efforts as a proud representative of the Kuwaiti private sector in contributing to the nation's New Kuwait aspirations.
Hamad Al-Marzouq: 'We continue to empower the nation's vital sectors through technology to help build a sustainable digital economy.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
13 hours ago
- Arab Times
New judicial fees move to take effect early July
KUWAIT CITY, June 28: Minister of Justice Counselor Nasser Al-Sumait has issued a decision to introduce new judicial fees for the Experts Department, covering six categories based on the time and effort required to carry out assignments, reports Al-Seyassah daily. The decision sets a fee of KD 30 for inspection sessions and KD 20 for expert attendance at court sessions. These fees will be increased by 100 percent in cases where the value of the report's subject exceeds KD 500,000. The decision will come into effect in early July. Article 1 of the decision outlines the following judicial fees for expert services: KD 10 for each session held by the expert at the headquarters of the General Experts Department or any of its branches to carry out the assignment. KD 5 for each procedural session held by the expert without requiring the presence of the parties. KD 30 for inspection sessions conducted at the dispute site or for sessions held to review documents outside the department's headquarters. KD 20 for the expert's appearance in court to discuss the report. KD 15 for travel expenses. KD 20 for filing the report. Article 2 - The fees outlined in Article 1, clauses A, B, C, and D will vary based on the number of experts assigned to the committee. These fees shall be doubled (100%) in cases where the value of the report's findings exceeds KD 500,000. Article 4 - If an assignment requires specialized expertise from outside the General Department of Experts, the matter shall be referred to the court, which will determine the appropriate fees and expenses. The decision also sets fees for assignments based on the type of property or case as follows: Category A - KD 100 for assignments related to private residences or residential units located in private, model, investment, chalet, or commercial areas. Category B - KD 250 for assignments related to residential or commercial complexes. Category C - KD 200 for assignments related to industrial plots, agricultural plots, or areas designated for investment housing or commercial use. Article 6 of the decision repeals Resolution No. 232/2017. Article 7 mandates the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Justice to implement this resolution, effective July 1.
Arab Times
5 days ago
- Arab Times
Oman plans to impose personal income tax, a first among Gulf states
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 24, (AP): Oman plans to levy personal income tax as part of a broader push to move the sultanate's economy away from reliance on hydrocarbons. The tax would be a first among the six-member oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council. The 5% tax will start in 2028 and will only be required of those who make upward of $109,000 annually - the top 1% of earners in Oman. The plan was issued Sunday by royal decree and reported by the official Oman News Agency. It's unclear whether this will inspire other nations in the area to follow suit, though the International Monetary Fund has predicted that Gulf states may need to impose new taxes in the coming years to diversify government revenues. The lack of income tax so far has been a boon for development in the Gulf, helping to attract migrant workers to the region. But for Oman, the introduction of the income tax "will further prioritize financial stability by diversifying revenue sources' that will help shelter the country from "fluctuations' in the global energy market, Minister of Economy Said bin Mohammed Al-Saqri said. He added that oil and gas revenues can account for up to 85% of the nation's public income, depending on the market. "The tax serves as a new revenue stream to diversify public income sources and mitigate risks associated with reliance on oil as the primary revenue source," Al-Saqri said. Oman has been weighing the personal income tax for several years, and its introduction follows other fiscal reforms. In 2020, it rolled out a program to cut down public debt and boost economic development. The move, Al-Saqri said, is part of Oman's broader Vision 2040 project, which hopes to turn the country into a technology-based economy.
Arab Times
5 days ago
- Arab Times
Guarding Kuwait's oil heartbeat: The rise of advanced cybersecurity
KUWAIT CITY, June 18: Kuwaiti oil sector companies have successfully established an advanced cybersecurity system designed to protect the vital artery of the national economy. These measures enhance system reliability and boost readiness against future cyber threats. The cybersecurity strategy relies on several key pillars. These include continuous updates to security systems aligned with the latest international standards, regular penetration testing, comprehensive risk assessments, and the integration of artificial intelligence technologies for early threat detection. Investment in cutting-edge technology, combined with ongoing employee training on cybersecurity best practices, forms the foundation of proactive defense against sophisticated cyberattacks. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) and its subsidiaries have created specialized cybersecurity departments and operation centers. These entities continually refine security policies and deploy advanced defensive software to safeguard digital infrastructure. During a meeting with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), experts and stakeholders in the oil sector unanimously highlighted the critical importance of ongoing cybersecurity enhancements to counter escalating risks, including security breaches, malware, and social engineering attacks. Ali Al-Qallaf, head of cybersecurity operations at Kuwait National Petroleum Company (KNPC), emphasized the sector's dependence on digital systems to manage production, refining, and distribution. He stressed that protecting these systems is essential for business continuity and the confidentiality of sensitive data. Al-Qallaf detailed the five main components of KNPC's cyberspace: infrastructure (servers, networks, and operational systems), operational software (industrial control systems in refineries and fuel stations), security systems, data (including operational logs and trade secrets), and users (company employees interacting with systems). He also included digital services such as the internet and internal networks connecting company facilities. He outlined the cyber threats faced by KNPC, which include hacking, data theft, malware targeting industrial control systems, and viruses infecting internal computers. To manage these risks, KNPC employs continuous risk analysis and periodic penetration testing to evaluate security tools and vulnerabilities. Corporate risk management teams work alongside IT departments to identify potential threats and implement protective measures. KNPC utilizes encryption, multi-factor authentication, and artificial intelligence for data analysis and early threat detection. Among KNPC's milestones is the establishment of Kuwait's first unified cybersecurity operations center—an advanced facility monitoring operational and IT systems in real time to detect and respond rapidly to attacks. Employee training on the latest cybersecurity techniques is a core part of KNPC's strategy to reduce human error risks. The company continues to invest heavily in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to maintain proactive defenses. Al-Qallaf highlighted the significance of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation's 2040 Digital Transformation Strategy, which will expand Internet of Things (IoT) device integration across operations, increasing the need for enhanced cybersecurity. He warned about the risks posed by artificial intelligence, which can also be exploited by cybercriminals to launch sophisticated attacks, such as AI-driven phishing. KNPC counters these threats through AI-based early detection systems and ongoing employee awareness programs. Securing digital systems that underpin production and refining is paramount to maintaining the stability of Kuwait's oil and gas sector, protecting corporate reputation, and preventing operational disruptions or environmental harm. Legacy systems lacking support for modern security technologies and the complexity of integrating operational technology (OT) with IT systems pose ongoing cybersecurity challenges. Comprehensive protection of all digital industrial networks is therefore critical. Mohammad Al-Safi, head of cybersecurity at Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), underscored the rising number of cyber threats, including data breaches and system failures. He stressed the importance of understanding these threats to develop effective defense strategies. Al-Safi reiterated that the oil sector's reliance on automated control systems makes cybersecurity vital for business continuity and economic stability. He predicted future trends toward greater integration of security controls, modern technology adoption, and stronger collaboration between oil companies and government agencies. Abdullah Al-Khateeb, senior cybersecurity officer at Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC), emphasized the need for cooperation between companies and government bodies to share information on emerging threats. He described cybersecurity strategies focusing on governance, system updates, infrastructure improvement, workforce training, and AI utilization. Al-Khateeb expects increased investment in AI and machine learning to strengthen early threat detection, secure IoT devices, and develop integrated cyber defense systems incorporating big data analysis and advanced encryption. He also anticipates evolving international laws governing cybersecurity in the oil sector, which remains a prime target for cyberattacks. Therefore, cybersecurity is integral to the sector's sustainability and risk management. Effective cyber risk management involves identifying vulnerabilities, analyzing their impact and probability, implementing protective technologies such as firewalls and encryption, continuous monitoring, and preparing response and recovery plans. The Kuwaiti government prioritizes cybersecurity in the oil sector through advanced technology integration, robust security policies, and continuous staff training. Kuwait has also expanded strategic partnerships and leveraged specialized agencies to drive transformative improvements in national cybersecurity.
