Dubai: Speaking at a ceremony to mark the 15th anniversary of Dubai Internet City (DIC) on Monday, Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and chairman of Dubai Holding, said that new projects representing a Dh4.5 billion investment for DIC and Dubai Media City will establish a global powerhouse for innovation, media and content when they are complete in five years.
“His Highness [Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum] foresaw the internet revolution in its earliest days. It was that vision which put our national economy on the path to become a globally recognised knowledge economy,” Al Gergawi said. “He chose a large site in what was then just empty desert because he understood the scale of the technological revolution that would take place and how much space it would need to grow.”
Al Gergawi said Shaikh Mohammad was mindful of relics found in the area, which showed it had actually been inhabited more than 3,500 years ago. Reflecting on a conversation with the Ruler at the time, Al Gergawi recalled Shaikh Mohammad saying: “This area has ancient history. Now, we will write a new chapter for it.”
The new focus for DIC will be integrating industries within the UAE’s national innovation strategy through pioneering projects including business innovation incubators, dedicated funds and smart laboratories.
Dubai Media City will look to enhance its position as an international centre for both conventional media, content generation and social media.
“The media zone will attract the best talent in this field and develop new tools and applications by establishing an innovation culture,” Al Gergawi said. “We will add real value to our national economy by developing education and knowledge across the content industry, as well as by supporting research that makes a real difference to people’s lives.”
Al Gergawi announced a range of immediate initiatives designed to speed up the transformation. A new fund will be established to support innovation-led projects, creativity and entrepreneurial ideas. Ten innovation incubators will be created across all of Dubai Holding’s relevant portfolio, including those related to the ICT, media, education, sciences and design industries.
Two further new projects will play vital roles in supporting the new vision.
The first, called Innovation Hub will function as an enabler for innovation, located in the middle of three business zones: Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village. Innovation Hub will incorporate five smart buildings with pioneering platforms, and aims to provide an encouraging environment that can grow and enhance an innovative culture. This will create a platform for individuals and companies to launch new ideas and technologies that can have a positive knock on effect on wider economy.
The second, Creativity Community, located within Dubai Design District, has the goal to inspire and encourage talent across various design fields. The Creative Community will provide facilities including showrooms, creative workshops, spaces for events and relevant service facilities.
