Emirates Steel and SNIM to support UAE industries, foster an export hub

Emirates Steel, the leading integrated steel plant in the Middle East, has sealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mauritania’s Société Nationale Industrielle Et Minière (SNIM) to look into the feasibility of creating a joint venture company to produce iron oxide pellets.

Under the 18-month agreement, signed by Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of Arkan and CEO of Emirates Steel, and Mohamed Vall Ould Telmidy, CEO of SNIM, the companies will study joint plans to produce iron oxide pellets, the primary feedstock required for Direct Reduction steel plants.

Al Remeithi said, “The collaboration with SNIM is aligned with the goals of the UAE’s Industrial Strategy to enhance self-sufficiency. Increasing the production of quality metals and materials will support national industries and foster a vibrant export hub that will further strengthen our presence in the 50 countries around the world that import Emirate Steel products.

By investing in the production of this essential raw material, we are also securing a steady supply of feedstock that will shield us against global raw material market volatility and fuel our ambitious growth plans to expand our product range to include flat steel.”

Mohamed Telmidy commented, “The groundbreaking MoU with Emirates Steel will help pave the way for significant investments that will be mutually beneficial and which will support the overall industry and local communities in the UAE and Mauritania. Iron pelletising projects in the Middle East and North Africa will accelerate the development of the regional steel industry and enhance its competitiveness regionally and globally.”

“At 1.5 billion tonnes, Mauritania has the largest iron reserves in the Arab world and Africa and we are very keen to establish strategic partnerships that allow us to take advantage of our mineral wealth in the most optimal manner.”

AI and CODING LICENSE: Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has launched a ground-breaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) and coding license in cooperation with the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office.

The license, which is a UAE first, will advance the country’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, which aims to enhance the UAE’s reputation in this field by attracting AI companies and coders from around the world.

Companies holding the license will be able to work within a stimulating environment at the DIFC Innovation Hub, which is the largest cluster of FinTech and innovation companies in the region. The Hub hosts more than 500 firms, ranging from start-ups to global unicorns, representing over 60 per cent of GCC FinTechs.

The license provides an opportunity to obtain the UAE Golden Visas for employees working in those companies.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, commented, “Such initiatives reflect positively on the country’s readiness to become a global destination for pioneering the future industries by adopting advanced technology stimulating innovation in various fields. The UAE Government is keen to support digital transformation processes that embody of the directives His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

“This is being achieved by developing digital activities and providing innovative solutions that improve governments’ performance and the lives of communities. DIFC has opened new horizons for leading global companies that aspire to enhance their efforts in AI and expand their businesses further.” Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, said, “Dubai and DIFC are global ambassadors for AI. Financial Services companies in DIFC and a broad spectrum of other industries across the emirate are setting the standard that contributes to the UAE’s ambitious goal to have an internationally competitive, knowledge-based economy.”

Meanwhile Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) announced its most used services in 2021, which showed an increase in digital services, demonstrating public awareness and adoption of a sustainable lifestyle that protects the environment and natural resources. This also reflects Dewa’s excellence in developing its innovative services to achieve stakeholder happiness, and to strengthen its position as one of the best and most distinguished utilities in all areas worldwide.

Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of Dewa, said that the organisation uses disruptive digital services through devices and smart channels that employ Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics and Fourth Industrial Revolution applications.

Dewa provides all its services on several digital channels including its smart app (iOS and Android) and website. Dewa also provides several services through Rammas its virtual employee. Rammas is available through Dewa’s website, its smart app, Facebook page, Google Home, robots, WhatsApp Business, and Amazon’s Alexa. Dewa has recently started providing its smart services on Amazon Alexa in Arabic, becoming the first government utility in the world to do this. Smart adoption of Dewa’s services reached 98.89 per cent in the final quarter of 2021. Dewa also received the 100 per cent Paperless stamp from Smart Dubai. Dewa has completed its electronic integration with more than 30 entities.