UAE Launches ‘Markets of Tomorrow’ Initiative

The UAE government announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The UAE government announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UAE Launches ‘Markets of Tomorrow’ Initiative

The UAE government announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The UAE government announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The UAE government has launched the "Markets of Tomorrow" initiative, in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The initiative aims to develop new business accelerators that will prepare the UAE's national economy to embrace business activities focused on the new economy and boost its readiness to enter tomorrow's markets, utilizing the latest technological means.

The launch of the initiative is part of a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the UAE Ministry of Economy and WEF's New Economy and Society Center.

The UAE government also announced the signing of an agreement with WEF in the development of applications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The deal was signed in the presence of Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications, Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation, Jeremy Jurgens, Managing Director & Head of the Forum's Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and Sebastian Buckup, Head of Network and Partnerships, Member of the Executive Committee, WEF.

Al Olama stressed that the strategic partnership between the UAE government and WEF aims to serve communities by employing artificial intelligence, blockchain and various technologies of the future, and sharing innovative experiences and practices to provide supportive environments for the development of new ideas and projects that accelerate the process of scientific, technological, and cognitive progress.

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, said that the Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution shapes new policies and strategies in areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and digital assets, among others.



Trump Says US in Transition Period, Downplays Impact of Short-term Recession

US President Donald Trump reacts next to coal industry workers, on the day he signs energy-related executive orders at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, April 8, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
US President Donald Trump reacts next to coal industry workers, on the day he signs energy-related executive orders at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, April 8, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
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Trump Says US in Transition Period, Downplays Impact of Short-term Recession

US President Donald Trump reacts next to coal industry workers, on the day he signs energy-related executive orders at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, April 8, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo
US President Donald Trump reacts next to coal industry workers, on the day he signs energy-related executive orders at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, April 8, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard/File Photo

President Donald Trump said the US was in a "transition period" and was going to do "fantastically" while downplaying the impact any short-term recession may have.

When asked during an interview with NBC News whether it would be OK to have a recession in the short term, Trump said: "Look, yeah, it's — everything's OK. What we are — I said, this is a transition period. I think we're going to do fantastically."

Trump's comment on the US economy being in a transition period echoed comments he made earlier on Friday in a social media post, in which he also cited strong employment and reiterated his call for the U.S. Federal Reserve to lower interest rates, Reuters reported.

"We’re only in a transition stage, just getting started!" he said in a Truth Social post. The post followed the release of US data that showed job growth slowed marginally for April.

Trump, who just passed his 100th day in office, has faced growing public discontent over his handling of the economy, with many economists predicting a wide range of tariffs imposed in recent months will drive up inflation and slow growth.