I think it’s inevitable that digital transformation will be the way moving forward and we have already seen the Kuwaiti government move from a traditional in-person business model to one that is primarily online.
Could you please elaborate on the role that technology and innovation will play in Kuwait’s road to economic recovery and what aspects of it will be key in the years to come?
I think the pandemic has highlighted pain points within nations and the need for technology moving forward. If there was any doubt about the necessity of technology and how we do simple everyday things from running a business to educating our kids, the pandemic surely has erased it. Companies and organizations that were more technologically advanced handled the challenges that the pandemic brought much more efficiently than those that weren’t.
I think it’s inevitable that digital transformation will be the way moving forward and we have already seen the Kuwaiti government move from a traditional in-person business model to one that is primarily online.
The result is higher efficiency and a better experience for both the government and the citizens of Kuwait; economic recovery will only be possible if we continue to embrace technology and innovation.
Cyber security was identified as one of the most critical threats for organizational growth. What is your organization doing to overcome cyber security risks and how prepared do you think Kuwait is in this regard?
Cyber security has become a critical threat because the world is moving towards digital transformation. As NTEC, we have sought out partnerships with CITRA and world-renowned companies that specialize in cyber security, not only to support NTEC but also to train the national workforce and raise awareness on cyber security.
At NTEC level, cyber security is an ongoing task at the top priority of all tasks and we continue to upgrade our cyber security measures to protect our data and ensure business continuity.
What measures is your organization taking to help combat climate change?
Over the last few years, we have worked on several projects that we are hopeful will have a positive impact on climate change.
For example, we initiated a project to install solar panels in the parking lots of co-ops all around Kuwait.
This would allow the co-op’s energy consumption to come from these solar panels. Another example is our House 2035 project, which is a prototype of a home that is extremely energy efficient. We hope that this prototype will become the norm as we move towards consuming renewable energy.
What are your thoughts on organizations incorporating ESG into their business strategy to boost financial returns, and where does NTEC stand on that?
I think it’s healthy and quite necessary. It pushes companies to question their ethical status and the environmental, social, and governance impact that their practices have, not only externally, but also internally.
Finally, do you think bringing about social changes in terms of diversity, equity and inclusion will help organizations drive better progress?
Absolutely. There are studies out there that prove that diversity and inclusion in the workplace produce better results. It increases employee engagement and trust, allows for new perspectives, and gives space for innovation which ultimately leads to better decision-making and improved performance.
