The recent launch of East-West Digital, a new company by global energy giant Iberdrola, is expected to play a positive role in Qatar's economic landscape, particularly through job creation and the acquisition of local and international talent.

The launch of East-West Digital was held on the sidelines of the recently concluded 2025 edition of ‘Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg’, in the presence of Invest Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali Alwaleed al-Thani and Spanish ambassador Dr Alvaro Renedo Zalba.

Speaking to Gulf Times during the event, Santiago Banales, managing director of Iberdrola Innovation Middle East and CEO of East-West Digital, said the new company aims to develop and commercialise AI-powered digital solutions for sustainability.

He noted that the launch of East-West Digital “marks a pivotal moment in the deepening relationship between Iberdrola and Qatar”, describing the country as “strategically positioned as a global crossroads for innovation.”

Banales underscored the ambitious growth trajectory for the new venture, saying the new company aims to follow the successful talent acquisition strategy previously implemented by Iberdrola Innovation Middle East.

“We have a very ambitious growth plan, stated Banales, who added, “and we want to base this plan, as we did before with Iberdrola Innovation Middle East, based on recruiting the best talent possible here in the country but also worldwide.”

According to Banales, East-West Digital's commitment to local talent is robust, sharing that Iberdrola Innovation Middle East historically hired approximately “80%” of its technical staff, filling high-end positions, directly from Qatar.

“We’ll see how this mix will develop over time, but we want to follow the same strategy,” affirmed Banales, highlighting the company's dedication to “giving opportunities to the people here in Qatar, help in the economic diversification of the country, and attracting top talent worldwide to be able to create this company and deliver in our products and our goals.”

Beyond direct hiring, Banales explained that East-West Digital will continue Iberdrola’s established practice of investing in continuous learning for its employees: “I’m a firm believer that the best way to train people is to put challenges before them. And you learn by doing.”

Banales further elaborated on the structured approach to talent development, noting extensive agreements with universities both in Qatar and internationally: “We have a lot cooperation with Qatar University, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Texas A&M, and Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar. We have all these agreements. But also, internationally with Comillas in Spain and with South Clyde in the UK.

“We are leveraging our international network to train employees effectively. The key to our employees’ professional development is to present them with meaningful challenges. This is precisely what we are offering — significant opportunities for growth.”

Earlier, Iberdrola released a media statement about the launch event, quoting Sheikh Ali as saying: “The launch of East-West Digital marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to foster innovation and sustainability in Qatar. This initiative is a testament to our ongoing collaboration with Iberdrola Innovation Middle East that began in May 2022.

“By leveraging cutting-edge AI technologies, East-West Digital will not only enhance our digital landscape but also contribute to global sustainability goals. This venture underscores our commitment to supporting projects that drive economic growth and technological advancement, reinforcing Qatar's position as a hub for innovation and excellence.”

Similarly, Pedro Azagra, CEO of Avangrid, said: “Iberdrola’s launch of East-West Digital at the 2025 ‘Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg’ demonstrates our strong dedication to advancing the electrification of the global economy.

“This innovative initiative will leverage AI-powered solutions to develop smarter and more efficient grids, reduce external energy dependency, and boost competitiveness. By supporting local industries and generating employment opportunities, we aim to achieve not only technological progress but also economic stability and growth.”