Google Parent Said to Be in Talks to Build a Tech Hub in Saudi Arabia

Google parent Alphabet is in talks with Saudi state oil company Saudi Aramco about jointly building a technology hub in Saudi Arabia, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

It is not clear specifically whose data the centres would house or who would control them, the WSJ said.

Reuters could not immediately reach Aramco and Alphabet for comment.

Alphabet rivals Apple and Amazon are in licensing discussions with Riyadh on investing in Saudi Arabia as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's push to give the conservative kingdom a high-tech look, according to a Reuters report in December.

A joint venture between Alphabet and Aramco could help Saudi Aramco expand into the United States, a goal for the oil company.

The size of the potential venture is unclear, although it could be big enough to become listed on Saudi Arabia's stock exchange, according to the Journal report.

It was unclear where Aramco would list its shares ahead of an initial public offering that could turn it into the world's largest publicly traded company.

© Thomson Reuters 2018