DUBAI: The UAE Minister of Economy, Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, signalled in a speech on Monday there are government contracts up for grabs for the private sector.
“I call on the private sector to work with the government in research and development and build our information and communication technology (ICT) sector,” he said in opening remarks at the Smart Living City Dubai 2014 event in Dubai.
The Minister declined to answer questions from the press following his remarks. He, however, said in his speech that there are more opportunities for the government and private sector to work together.
Earlier this year, Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced plans for Dubai to become a smart city. Other emirates have introduced similar initiatives.
A smart city looks at investment beyond traditional hard infrastructure such as buildings and machinery, and focuses on social and human capital particularly in the transport and ICT sectors. Shaikh Mohammad previously said he wants Dubai to be a smart city by 2017.
Al Mansouri said in his speech the smart city concept is important to the UAE and the region.
The Dubai edition of the bi-annual event, which runs until Tuesday, is featuring three main themes — high-level discussion panels, exhibitions of local and international smart solutions, and master classes for participants. It is hosting over 17 exhibitors and 39 speakers from around the world. Some of the leading public and private organisations participating in the two-day event include the Government of Dubai, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Microsoft among others.
