The Middle East needs a technological revolution. Start-ups can lead the way
Data centres could be the Gulf’s new refineries. But the region must put the right support systems, regulations and access to funding in place, writes Khalid Rumaihi.
August 2019, appointed Chief Executive Officer of Mumtalakat, the Sovereign Wealth Fund of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Previously the Chief Executive, Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB); also Member of the Board of Directors. March 2016, appointed Chairman, Bahrain Development Bank. December 2017, appointed the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bahrain Real Estate Investment (Edamah). Member of the Board of Directors, National Bank of Bahrain, Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority and Education and Training Quality Authority. Formerly: 10 years at Investcorp as a Managing Director and 9 years at J.P. Morgan as head of the private client group. Chaired the Board of Bahrain Airport Company and held previous Board positions at Gulf Air and Securities Investment Company. BSc in Foreign Service, Georgetown University; Master’s in Public Policy, specializing in Economic Development, Harvard University.
Data centres could be the Gulf’s new refineries. But the region must put the right support systems, regulations and access to funding in place, writes Khalid Rumaihi.
Governments should lead by example, cut red tape and push the boundaries of what's possible in order to ensure the responsible flow of data, writes Khalid Rumaihi.
Governments have been forced to accelerate reforms.