Huawei: Middle East Driving Digital Transformation Agenda

Looking to the future of the region’s connected digital economy, senior executives for across the technology industry have joined Huawei—a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider—to commemorate the company’s 15 year anniversary of operations in the Middle East. Huawei has hosted a number of commemorative activities over the past week culminating in a gala event held recently at the Armani Hotel in Downtown Dubai, UAE. 

Driven by a desire to build a better connected world, today Huawei Middle East is a strategic partner to leading telecom operators, governments and enterprises in enabling the Middle East’s digital society. 

The milestone event was attended by over 300 senior government and business leaders including representatives from top telecom operators, information technology ministries & government bodies, analysts, regulators and the media. The day’s honored guest was H.H. Sheikh Hasher bin Maktoum Al Maktoum, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Information, with speakers including: Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Assistant Director General of The Executive Office and Smart Dubai Taskforce Leader, Hatem Bamatraf, Chief Technology Officer at Etisalat Group, Eng. Nasser Sulaiman Al Nasser, Senior Vice President of Technologies & Operations at STC, and Guo Ping, Deputy Chairman of the Board and Rotating CEO of Huawei.  

The forum was opened by Charles Yang, President of Huawei Middle East, who touched upon some of the key transformations taking place in the ICT industry over the last 15 years. Guests also engaged with a number of Huawei innovation demos of upcoming ICT application, including 4K video, drones & robotics, wearable devices, and 4.5G & 5G mobile connectivity. The evening gala’s entertainment was further ignited by a performance from Huawei brand ambassador Nancy Ajram singing a number of her greatest hits.

“Studies have shown time and again that ICT infrastructure is a powerful engine for social and economic development. The Middle East has in many ways risen to be a global hub for new technology deployments as government leaders recognize the potential of connectivity to create more competitive industries, safer cities and more inspired services for the public,” said Charles Yang, President of Huawei Middle East.

Speaking at the event, Hatem Bamatraf, Chief Technology Officer at Etisalat Group, added: “We are working in an industry which is fast and continuously evolving from one generation to the other. It changes lives, enables capabilities, helps economies, and powers entrepreneurship. We believe that there’s a lot of value that will be added from a partner like Huawei in pursuing that journey.”

Over the last 15 years Huawei Middle East has established an end-to-end portfolio of ICT solutions to serve its growing partner base. It has also been a commercially successful geography for Huawei. The wider Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region accounted for 35% of Huawei’s total global revenue in 2014 with the region’s revenues up approximately 20% year on year. 

“Fifteen years ago Huawei’s corporate structure looked considerably different than it does today. Nevertheless, our values have largely remained the same. We exist to serve our customers and local communities,” adds Yang. “Huawei has done this by delivering exceptional before and after-service support to our partners, respecting local cultures and striving to learn and grow together with our partners.”

Today the company’s Middle East headquarters is located in Bahrain with offices across 10 countries and around 5,000 employees—of whom over 66% are local hires. Founded in 1987, Huawei globally has grown from a USD$5,680 small company to a truly international enterprise an annual revenue volume of USD$46.5 billion and a business presence in over 170 countries.