Chinese enterprise cloud software provider Kingdee has officially opened its regional headquarters in Qatar’s Free Zones, marking its initial entry into the Middle East. This move is part of Kingdee’s broader strategy to establish a foothold in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The decision to set up operations in Qatar follows a substantial investment from the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), which injected approximately USD 200 million into Kingdee in December 2023. This investment underscores Kingdee’s leading role in China’s enterprise cloud transformation and aligns with QIA’s goal of backing technology and digitalization heavyweights.
Kingdee plans to utilize Qatar as a strategic gateway to expand its footprint across the MENA region. With over three decades of experience, the company reportedly serves about 7.4 million businesses in 172 countries. Kingdee’s software solutions span financial management, supply chain optimization, and production operations.
Kingdee’s expansion into Qatar is backed by key local institutions, including the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Invest Qatar, and the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ). In addition to QIA’s investment, Invest Qatar—the country’s main investment promotion body—seeks to accelerate Kingdee’s growth within the Free Zones and beyond. It will achieve this by providing insights into the regional business and market landscape while facilitating tailored connections where relevant.
In a statement, Mohammed bin Hamad bin Faisal Al-Thani, CEO of QFZ, said the partnership with Kingdee, established through the latter’s MENA entry via the Free Zones, represents “the final wave of the Qatar National Vision 2030.” He added that its integration will help “accelerate digital transformation and strengthen Qatar’s position as a gateway for next-generation solutions to drive economic diversification and sustainable growth.”
Founded in 1993, Kingdee is a publicly traded company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX).