Dubai reinforces its position as a global hub for cutting-edge techs

Guided by the vision and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the emirate is steadily reinforcing its position as a global hub for cutting-edge technologies and a major centre for digital business models and transformational initiatives, said Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

Sheikh Hamdan made these remarks during the second meeting of the Higher Committee for Future Technology Development and Digital Economy.

The meeting was attended by Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, and Vice Chairman of the Committee, as well as other members of the Committee including Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism; Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of the Dubai Digital Authority; Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation; Ahmed bin Byat, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy; Malek Al Malek, Director General of the Dubai Development Authority and Chairman of TECOM Group; Arif Amiri, CEO of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Maha Al Mezaina, Reporter of the Committee.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed said Dubai is proactively developing plans to accelerate digital growth and adopt new technologies through collaborative partnerships between government entities, international corporations and the broader private sector.

Members of the Committee took stock of recent advancements in the digital field and explored ways to overcome challenges and take advantage of new opportunities to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Metaverse Strategy in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC) and the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to double the size of Dubai’s economy and strengthen its position as one of the world’s top three cities over the next 10 years.

Other issues discussed at the meeting included global trends and the development of Dubai’s digital infrastructure.

The meeting also assessed Dubai’s digital readiness and ways to leverage its high internet usage rates to take advantage of new opportunities in the sector.

Further, members of the Committee discussed plans and recommendations to achieve Dubai’s digital economy goals and new approaches to maintain high levels of proactivity in the sector.

Meanwhile, Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Public Education and Advanced Technology, discussed during an official visit to the Republic of Serbia ways to enhance cooperation between the two nations.

During her visit, Al Amiri discussed cooperation in areas such as research and development (R&D), advanced technology, sustainability, food technology, developing tools to finance research, innovation, energy transition, and developing legislations to help accelerate the growth of technology globally. Discussions also covered ways of ensuring these legislations are up-to-date with rapid technological development as well as the importance of adopting advanced technology in industry to boost competitiveness.

She also discussed opportunities to strengthen the education system and vocational schools to provide students with practical skills to enhance their competitiveness and equip them for jobs in industry.

In Belgrade, Al Amiri met with Jelena Begović, Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of Serbia; Branko Ruzić, Minister of Education of Serbia; Milica Djuric-Jovicic, Director of the Science Fund of Serbia; Professor Vladimir Kostic, President of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts; and Ivan Rakonjac, Director of the Innovation Fund.

Al Amiri was accompanied by Mubarak Saeed Al Dhaheri, UAE Ambassador to Serbia. Ali Al Hashimi, Director of Science and Technology Policies and Programmes at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Amal Al Hammadi, Head of Programme Management at the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, also joined the UAE delegation.

Delegates explored funding opportunities in the field of research, development and innovation, in addition to the development of financing programmes and tools for research. These opportunities are designed to support the exchange of knowledge and strengthen relations in the field of R&D.

The visit is in line with the objectives of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the UAE and Serbia, which aims to facilitate cooperation and investment to support mutual economic development and national competitiveness.

Al Amiri said, “In line with our leadership’s vision, Emirati-Serbian relations are continually developing, and we are cooperating in vital sectors, such as science and technology, research and development, food security, agricultural technology, renewable and sustainable energy, as well as financing for each of these areas, which are critical to the UAE’s national vision for the future.”