AWS Launches New Cloud Region in the United Arab Emirates

AWS (Amazon Web Services)

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced the launch of a new data center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Over the next 15 years, the company plans to invest around $5 billion in the country to support business growth and accelerate innovation.

AWS opened its first Middle East cloud region in Bahrain in July 2019. The new data center will allow local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and governments with data residency constraints to store their data within their home country. Organizations can take full advantage of the services such as cloud computing, storage, database, networking, machine learning, analytics, IoT, and more.

The press release also mentions that the new AWS region will include three availability zones, ensuring low latency for high-availability applications. The data center will help to boost UAE’s economy by creating 6,000 full-time job opportunities for the local people. The jobs should support the AWS supply chain across industries, including engineering, construction, telecommunications, and maintenance

“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,” said Prasad Kalyanaraman, VP of Infrastructure Services at AWS.

AWS has 87 availability zones worldwide

Amazon Web Services has 87 availability zones located in 27 geographic regions worldwide. The company has been rapidly expanding its data center footprint, with plans to launch 21 new availability zones and 7 AWS regions in Canada, Australia, Switzerland, India, Spain, Israel, and New Zealand.

Last month, Microsoft, which is AWS’ biggest competitor, also launched a new data center region in Doha, Qatar. The new data center will help to create 36,000 new employment opportunities and add around $18.7 billion to Qatar’s economy. Customers will be able to develop apps that leverage data and analytics, AI, hybrid capabilities, as well as digital security.