Construction Middle East: Arabian Civil Engineers by GineersNow GineersNow Engineering Magazine Issue No. 014, Sau | Page 13

Why Dubai Leads in
Technology Innovation
It’s all about the investments,
vision and leadership
Source: UAE Innovates
It’s all about the investments,
vision and leadership
Dubai has grown superior over other cities in the world when it
comes to technology and business innovation. It has become a
magnet for technology firms, thus generating more jobs which
further strengthens Dubai’s economy and related sectors.
Technology innovation is at the heart and soul of the city.
Source: Pinterest
How did Dubai exactly do it? In a capsule, it’s all about the
investments that the government brings. Back in 2014, the
government planned to include a massive center of
communication and technology facilities spanning 150,000
square meters, which will be taken from an AED 4.5 billion
investment. It was also set to expand the Dubai Design District
to produce incubation centers for creative entrepreneurs.
At the time, the UAE government declared 2015 as the Year of
Innovation to fulfil to the potential of the city in tech innovation.
Events like the Defence Innovation and Technology
Conference, The Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge, Zayed Future
Energy Prize, Innovator and Mohamed Bin Zayed International
Robotics Challenge were important benchmarks in keeping
the interest of more investors to transform Dubai.
Source: Dubai Police
Source: Dubai Police
It became even more exciting when a new fund was launched
in November of 2015 to enhance funding opportunities in areas
of innovation. From the the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al
Maktoum Fund was a new fund called Finance Innovation
worth AED 2 billion.
Notably, startups and entrepreneurs are also much more
engaged with Dubai because of the tax laws on income –
earners get to enjoy all of their income.
There is no stopping Dubai in becoming the world’s first smart
city with all the on-going and planned future developments.
Despite the lead in tech innovation, Dubai is still looking
forward to move past other cities as the most innovative –
which is also a part of the efforts in UAE’s Vision 2021.
Construction Leaders • April 2017
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