UAE Targets Advanced Technology Exports Worth $4b Annually

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announcing the national program to accelerate the pace of technological transformation on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi (WAM)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announcing the national program to accelerate the pace of technological transformation on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi (WAM)
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UAE Targets Advanced Technology Exports Worth $4b Annually

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announcing the national program to accelerate the pace of technological transformation on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi (WAM)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum announcing the national program to accelerate the pace of technological transformation on Wednesday in Abu Dhabi (WAM)

The UAE launched on Wednesday the national program to accelerate the pace of technological transformation in priority sectors.

This comes as part of the national strategy for industry and advanced technology, which seeks to enhance the sector’s global competitiveness and sustainability, accelerate the pace of technology in the sector, enable the national capacities, and empower technology entrepreneurs and technology emerging companies in the digital transformation journey.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, said: "We have launched a national program to accelerate the pace of technological transformation in the industrial and production sectors.”

“The program aims to develop 1,000 technology projects, and includes the establishment of national centers for industrial empowerment and aims to export advanced Emirati technological products at a value of 15 billion dirhams ($4 billion) annually,” he said.

"The employment of advanced technology in industries and projects is an essential pillar for developing our national economy in partnership with the private sector. The UAE represents a global center in the fields of research, development and innovation in future technology," Sheikh Mohammed affirmed.

"Through advanced technology, we see opportunities to achieve our national priorities and ambitions for the next fifty years. The program will make it possible for technology developers, entrepreneurs and emerging technology companies to experiment with technology in the UAE and launch from it for global transformational projects with a tangible impact," he added.

The program was launched during a special event in the capital Abu Dhabi.

The program is tailored to achieve a set of goals, primarily raising industrial sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product by 110 billion dirhams ($30 billion), enabling 15 billion dirhams ($4 billion) worth of advanced technology exports annually, investing 11 billion dirhams ($2.9 billion) in advanced technology, achieving 15 billion dirhams ($4 billion) annually of industrial productivity, in addition to nurturing Emirati talent across advanced technology projects within 10 years.

This program aims to launch 1,000 technological projects in several key productive sectors at the state level until 2031, in line with the national priorities of the UAE.

Some of these priorities are: building a flexible and competitive national economy based on knowledge and innovation, achieving sustainable development goals and climate neutrality, attaining self-sufficiency, raising productivity level in the national economy, enhancing the quality of life, and reinforcing the UAE’s status as a global hub for sciences and technology.

The program will be set in motion through the launch of five initiatives.



Saudi-Portuguese Business Council Strengthens Economic Ties with Portugal

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi-Portuguese Business Council Strengthens Economic Ties with Portugal

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Saudi-Portuguese Business Council, led by Chairman Alwaleed bin Khaled Al-Baltan, concluded a successful visit to Portugal, marking significant progress in boosting economic cooperation between the two nations, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Sunday.

The delegation engaged with key Portuguese officials, including the Ministers of Economy, Agriculture, Parliamentary Affairs and Sports, Infrastructure and Housing, as well as the Mayors of Porto and Leiria.

The delegation also held meetings with officials from the sports and aviation sectors, underscoring the wide-ranging potential for collaboration. Additionally, the delegation met with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Portugal Prince Saud bin Abdul Mohsen bin Abdulaziz to discuss the outcomes of the visit.

In Lisbon, workshops introduced Portuguese companies to investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia. With participation from Al-Hawaishel Law Firm and Bank AlJazira, these sessions detailed the Kingdom's investment systems, incentives and financing solutions.

The delegation visited several prominent Portuguese firms specializing in ports, marine warehouses, real estate, technology, media, tourism, transportation and infrastructure.

Microsaur, a technology solutions and protection systems company, and Etermar, a specialist in port operations, announced plans to establish regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, over 260 Portuguese companies expressed readiness to enter the Saudi market.

The visit was capped with the signing of a tripartite framework agreement between the Saudi-Portuguese Business Council, the Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Portuguese Business Council. The agreement aims to strengthen economic relations and explore collaborations in aviation, tourism, sports investment, media, education, healthcare, agriculture, and fish farming.