Dubai
Global tech companies support the expansion plans as Dubai strengthens its strategy to support the development of start-ups, embrace developing enterprises and foster the leadership of innovation and technology.
The projects announced include 10 million square feet of space for innovation complexes, technology laboratories and smart buildings.
“The projects will attract both multinational organisations and grow local start-ups, and ultimately foster economic, social, and environmental sustainability to boost jobs and support new businesses in Dubai,” said Rabih Dabboussi, general manager of Cisco UAE.
The Middle East, and Dubai in particular, is driving some of the world’s most iconic mega projects and the expansion plans demonstrate they are leapfrogging the “West and East — and are actually driving global technology and innovation”.
“We are working closely with the UAE and Dubai governments to support economic growth in the region. For example, we have recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Dubai Design District for joint opportunities in smart devices and applications,” Dabboussi said.
In the rapidly changing global competitive landscape, economic competitiveness is no longer between nations — but rather between cities.
“With further growth plans on the horizon, we expect a host of new initiatives to launch in the UAE such as the ‘in5’ centre for creativity and innovation, which provides infrastructure, support services and a dynamic work environment for the ICT sector,” said Peng Xiongji, General Manager of Huawei Technologies UAE.
DIC has achieved a big success in positioning Dubai as the ‘ideal location’ for the technology sector, building a strong environment to grow tech brands in the region. The free-zone has become a “global powerhouse for innovation, media and content allowing for significant business potential for leading ICT companies,” he said.
Long-term prosperity for the UAE is not only a goal of UAE Vision 2021, in supporting a skilled workforce of both Emiratis and world-class professionals. In Dubai, these highly-trained workers will be essential in advancing both the Dubai Smart City initiative and the technology-infused World Expo 2020.
Dabboussi said that global cities are locked in a competition not only for economic growth, but also to attract the most talented professionals, who demand technology in every aspect of daily life. Only the smartest cities will rise to the top — and Dubai is well-placed to become one of the smartest cities in the world.
