Sharjah 24: Top Italian banker and technology pioneer Dario Russo has underlined the crucial role of cloud technologies in driving growth in the Middle East during a talk on the opening day of the ongoing Regional Forum for Data and Community Development in Sharjah.
Addressing a packed house at his talk titled ‘Harnessing the Public Cloud in the Middle East: A Massive Growth Frontier’, the seasoned strategic consultant spoke about “possibilities in the region”.
The Middle East is poised for a technological renaissance with the adoption of public cloud services projected to contribute significantly to the region’s economy—potentially generating up to 6% of its GDP by 2030. “My message is simple - consider the big opportunity that cloud presents when included as a fundamental part of any digital transformation framework and especially for stakeholders here in the Middle East where I see harnessing public cloud as a growth frontier,” said the Italian who previously worked as the former Central Director of Financial Operations at the Bank of Italy.
Showcasing the transformative potential of cloud solutions and their ability to drive significant growth across the region, he also spoke about how public sector services could see the largest share of growth if they adopt cloud technologies.
“By embracing proactive government policies and encouraging businesses to take decisive action, we can fully capitalise on the immense opportunities public cloud presents,” he said before going on to explain to the audience the benefits of the public cloud model that enables enterprises to virtually host data and apps. These computing services are often offered by third-party providers over the public Internet, making them available to anyone who wants to use or purchase them.
“However, we must confront the resistance to change that often accompanies this migration. It's crucial that we empower Generation Z, who are natural digital natives, to lead this transformation by fostering a culture that must willingly accept this change and capitalises on the opportunities that cloud technology presents," said Russo, who is the co-founder of RG3 Digital Consulting.
“But the question we must ask at the start of it all is what do we exactly need? Cloud is a powerful tool that brings together big data and AI to solve most of our problems, but we must identify them first.”
During his session, Russo also discussed key growth sectors, innovative strategies to overcome existing challenges, and the importance of maximising the value derived from cloud technologies.
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, the Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD) is hosting the inaugural forum. Taking place on October 9-10 at the Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, this event marks a first for the region. The forum is being organised in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the GCC Statistical Centre, and various federal, regional, and international entities.
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