The collaboration will focus on logistics, technology enablement and adoption within the SME and education sectors.
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) signed an agreement of intent with Microsoft, the US multinational technology giant, to accelerate the emirate’s innovation roadmap. Dubai has emerged at the forefront of shaping the world’s future with an ambitious plan for deploying advanced technologies and the collaboration signifies a dedicated effort to enhance the emirate’s digital economy growth, innovation, and development in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.
To drive Dubai’s strategic ambitions, the work with Microsoft will focus on leveraging smart solutions and applications to achieve the city’s technology transformation objectives within the logistics, SMEs and education sectors. The initiative focuses on developing an integrated platform for trade that will streamline operations and improve global competitiveness. This effort not only strengthens the logistics sector, but is also in line with the strategic objective of attracting world-class hardware manufacturers and further enhancing Dubai’s position in the global logistics arena.
Hadi Badri, CEO, the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), said, “This landmark collaboration will leverage the unique strengths and knowledge of DET and Microsoft, showcasing Dubai’s ability to build strong public-private partnerships. Aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, our agreement with Microsoft is central to our proven development strategy in harnessing the strengths of global partners, facilitating economic growth through exceptional access to sector knowledge, technical expertise and mentorship opportunities for key sectors.”
Naim Yazbeck, General Manager of Microsoft UAE, added, “Having established its regional HQ in the emirate almost a quarter of a century ago, Microsoft has long demonstrated its commitment to Dubai. Dubai stands at the forefront of global technology, and we are honoured to contribute to its progress. This planned collaboration represents a shared commitment to drive innovation, promote economic development and build a thriving knowledge-based ecosystem for the future.”
Microsoft will leverage its resources and expertise to facilitate access for technology start-ups and entrepreneurs and enhance the prospects of success and innovation. Microsoft will offer cutting-edge and affordable technology solutions for SMEs in priority sectors to increase SME productivity and effectively utilise data to contribute to business growth and innovation in the emirate.
This collaborative endeavour is set to ensure that educational institutions in Dubai continue to lead in the era of smart learning and innovation. The alliance also places a strong emphasis on promoting technology and innovation across various sectors. Through Microsoft’s comprehensive support, startups and entrepreneurs in Dubai will gain access to a wealth of resources and expertise, significantly enhancing their prospects for success and contributing to the emirate’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem.
