Hussam Abdulnabi (Dubai)
“Expo 2020 Dubai” is not an ordinary or traditional event, and day after day new positive economic aspects of the global event are being discovered, so that it will become a way to launch and enhance the UAE’s exports in the field of technology, according to the expectations of Ammar Al Malik, Director General of Dubai Internet City, who confirmed in An interview with “Al Ittihad” during its participation in “Expo 2020 Dubai” that the technology sector is at the forefront of the sectors that benefit directly from the event, especially in light of the acceleration of the digital transformation very dramatically, and the adoption of governments and various economic sectors for technical solutions to overcome the challenges imposed by them. The “Covid-19” pandemic, noting that for this purpose, “Dubai Internet City”, which is the largest business center for technology companies and talents working in their fields in the region, has developed plans to discover the opportunities offered by “Expo 2020”, and plans to attract participating companies or visiting the global event. Through direct meetings and reception of participating international delegations.
Ammar Al Malik, Director General of Dubai Internet City, said that “Expo 2020 Dubai” is a unique opportunity for companies, entrepreneurs and talents in various technology sectors, and from all over the world, to communicate and learn about the latest innovations, and the event comes at an important stage after the acceleration of the digital transformation in a very large way. During the last 18 months, given the pandemic and the adoption of technical solutions by governments and various economic sectors to overcome the challenges imposed by the pandemic, stressing that the most important thing is to know what technologies will remain with us and continue to develop and grow, and to prioritize businesses, governments and other entities?
The owner believes that with this rapid transition, there is an urgent need for contactless payment technologies, financial technology, and certainly cybersecurity and its ramifications and minute details.
He explained that “Dubai Internet City” is the largest business center for technology companies and talents working in their fields in the region, and it has an advantage that is not available anywhere in the world, which is the presence of giant technology companies along with a selection of startups, entrepreneurs and even independent talents from developers, consultants and others. , in one place that can be navigated on foot, noting that in light of these advantages provided by “Dubai Internet”, it can be said that we have a great responsibility during “Expo 2020” and beyond, which is to consolidate the position of the UAE as a first destination for talent and companies that will work To these future solutions and enhance their growth and adoption rates, by continuing to provide a stimulating business environment that encourages communication and exchange of experiences, and allows fruitful communication between major companies on the one hand and emerging companies on the other hand, and investors and emerging companies.
technology exports
Ammar Al-Malik believes that the Expo will enhance the UAE’s exports in the field of technology, which some may not know. The innovation centers in Dubai Internet City and the headquarters of international companies develop specialized solutions in various fields of technology for the region, and modify global solutions to meet the needs of governments and companies in the region, based on From Dubai, noting the importance of these technologies in digital transformation in many countries of the region, Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and even some Eastern European countries and others.
The owner considered the success and expansion of many start-up companies in the business incubator (in5) within the “Dubai Internet City” and the funds obtained during the past years, amounting to hundreds of millions of dirhams, factors that contribute today to transforming the UAE from an importer of technology only to an exporter of it. This is evidenced by the fact that Tappy Payment Solutions attracted more than 100 million dirhams in financing last year and early this year, thanks to investors’ vision of opportunities and the desire to seize them, with the increasing demand for these solutions.
He added: “The innovation centers established by giants in the field of technology in Dubai Internet City also contribute to enhancing technology exports from the UAE, as many of them are studying and experimenting with solutions and then launching modern technologies for the region as a whole, in various technological fields such as payment solutions, the Internet of things, Cloud computing, social media platforms, etc.
He cited the development and export of solutions with the cooperation of Careem and Visa, the two companies based in Dubai Internet City, to expand financial inclusion and digital transformation throughout the Middle East, by integrating the benefits of Visa through the “Visa” service. Karim Pay in the comprehensive application of all Careem services, pointing out that the Innovation Center of Visa continues to develop contactless electronic payment solutions and other similar solutions and exports them to the Middle East, Africa and some regions of Europe.
Al-Malik stressed that another example of this is the parent company of “home-dubizzle”, which has a market value of more than one billion dollars, as it owns and operates from Dubai platforms and integrated technology solutions that are highly popular in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco And it continues to expand and grow globally, revealing the cooperation of “Dubai Internet City” currently, specifically during the “Expo” period, with international delegations, institutions and companies in the fields of technology from different continents to inform them of the promising prospects in the region’s markets.
Attracting companies
Dubai Internet City has set an agenda full of meetings and visits to country pavilions, with participation in specialized dialogues on opportunities in the technology sectors, with the main aim of attracting more companies to the UAE to take advantage of the promising opportunities in the region, whether for large companies or emerging companies, or For investors looking for innovative solutions that have a promising future.
Dubai Internet sees the Expo as an opportunity to introduce visitors to the features of Dubai Internet City, and to attract companies, talented people and investors from various participating countries, as the city provides a sustainable business environment that was helped by the joining of major technology companies to the city when it was established more than 20 years ago, which provided A sustainable environment for talents in the fields of technology and innovation, and one of the natural steps for a segment of these talents is to either establish start-up companies benefiting from the in5 business incubator or represent startups from other countries that seek to expand globally by strengthening their presence.
During the global event, Dubai Internet promotes the important achievements made within the in5 business incubator, which was launched from the city to support entrepreneurs and help them establish their businesses, launch and obtain financing for growth and expansion. In 2013, the total number of startups that in5 has incubated since its inception has reached more than 500 companies, and there are currently more than 300 active startups within the incubator program.
in5 has received a strong demand from entrepreneurs in the region, thanks to its advanced infrastructure, prototyping labs, 3D printers, strategic locations and ease of doing business, in addition to attracting talent and specialized expertise in many sectors, and supporting them through a mentoring and steering committee consisting of more than 20 experts. In addition to partnerships with international companies such as Accenture, Microsoft, Chalhoub Group and others. The in5 incubator also provides entrepreneurs with five main advantages: ease of business establishment, shared and creative work spaces, specialized facilities, guidance and counseling, workshops and business networking events, networking and relationship building opportunities, and access to a wide network of investors and strategic partners. The incubator has a membership program that provides students, freelancers, professionals and entrepreneurs with access to prototyping labs, 3D printers and other facilities at competitive prices.
Benefit for all
The Director General of Dubai Internet City confirms that all technological sectors related to the work of “Dubai Internet” can benefit from “Expo 2020 Dubai”, especially in light of the trend of the world after the “Covid-19” pandemic for technological solutions that proved the need to enhance the presence of technology in all sectors. Because it was able to bypass closure and quarantine, and conduct business and interests through advanced technologies.
He said that it is known that the pandemic has inspired many to devise smart solutions to emergency crises, including contactless digital payment technologies that were strengthened after the emergence of the pandemic as one of the most promising sectors for startups in the UAE, especially since these technologies represent a key focus of e-commerce, service and delivery applications, and others, There are still great opportunities for large and emerging companies to invest in this field, noting that all technological sectors have become necessary to provide future solutions, and move life to new horizons of progress, especially some vital sectors at the current stage, namely: cloud computing, big data, payment Electronic and contactless payment solutions, digital currencies and (Blockchain) technologies, as well as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and immersive experiences, among others.
Visits and reception of delegations
Dubai Internet City has prepared to receive international delegations that will visit it during the duration of the global event, as well as international delegations representing major companies hosted by the city. For this purpose, “Dubai Internet” has set a schedule full of field visits in cooperation with its partners from the companies that join the city, and with the purpose of introducing these delegations to the efforts made to ensure an integrated environment that supports the companies operating in the city and their changing requirements in the way of work and innovation.
Dubai Internet is constantly reviewing frameworks and enhancing electronic services to ensure that all government and other business services are provided in a smooth manner and at any time and place, noting that there is an opportunity to attract companies from emerging countries and regions in the fields of technology such as some Eastern European countries, Asia and Australia. .
In this context, Ammar Al-Malik stated that the holding of specialized regional events for which the country is also famous, such as the GITEX exhibition, which constitutes a global forum for technology companies and their officials, will enhance the position of Expo 2020 and facilitate visits and communication between companies and business institutions, and will be an opportunity for them to visit Expo and achieve More cooperation between these companies, noting that Dubai Internet City is looking forward to a huge participation as usual in GITEX, where it opens its pavilion every year to highlight distinguished startups, and offers workshops and dialogues run by major international companies based in Dubai Internet City.
The smartest version in the history of the exhibition
The UAE has once again proven that it is a preferred destination for technology companies, thanks to its attractive business environment and integrated entrepreneurship system supported by the decision to issue long-term residencies for investors and talents, and to facilitate procedures that contribute to empowering companies and enhancing their presence in the country, and Expo 2020 comes to enhance the country’s position as a leading center for global events. And the headquarters of the most prominent and most important technology companies and advanced technologies.
Dubai Internet City companies actively participate in the success of the global event, including strategic partners such as “MasterCard”, “SAP”, “Cisco”, “Accenture” and “Siemens”. Today, it is a major supporter of the global event, consolidating its position and crowning its pivotal role in the digital transformation witnessed by the UAE and the region.
Ammar Al Malik, Director General of Dubai Internet City, said that Dubai Internet City constitutes an important forum for talents in the field of technology and plays a major role in developing regional and global experiences, especially in light of the expansion of companies and the increase in the number of innovation centers in them, which currently stands at 12 centers affiliated with Canon companies. Middle East, Huawei, SAP, Accenture, Visa, MasterCard, Microsoft, 3M, Cisco, Accenture, Samsung and Oracle.
He explained that Cisco is the company entrusted with managing, operating and maintaining the Expo’s information technology network, and thus is responsible for one of the most advanced operations of its kind in the region, contributing to making Expo 2020 the smartest and most advanced version in the history of Expo, concluding by noting that many One of the technology companies based in Dubai Internet City, which is enhancing its presence at the “Expo” by providing the latest and latest innovations in its fields of specialization, and by highlighting the technological solutions that the world is looking for, in light of the global trend towards artificial intelligence, and the quest for a built future. On information technology and modern technology.
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