UAE a leading technology hub: Shaikh Mohammed

18 September 2014

Shaikh Mohammed highlighted the strength of the UAE as a knowledge-based economy while discussing with his guest the essential role of technology in boosting the development of nations.

The UAE has become a leading regional technology hub given its position as a platform for top tier international tech companies and a stage for global technology-oriented events, said His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Shaikh Mohammed made the comment as he received Jack Ma, the founder of China’s largest e-commerce company Alibaba, at Zaabeel Palace on Wednesday.

Shaikh Mohammed highlighted the strength of the UAE as a knowledge-based economy while discussing with his guest the essential role of technology in boosting the development of nations.

During the meeting, which was attended by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Mohammed spoke of the UAE’s vision of taking the integration of technology into the city’s core services a step higher with aims to create a ‘smart city’ that adds to the quality of life for citizens.

Jack Ma praised the advanced infrastructure of the UAE and its attractive business environment. Ma added that the strong alliance between the private and public sectors in the UAE is exemplary.

The meeting touched on ways of enhancing cooperation between the e-commerce giant Alibaba and specialised government entities. The meeting also discussed the m-Government Initiative, which was earlier launched by the UAE to boost government investment in technology. The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2014 report ranked the UAE second globally for government procurement of advanced technology.

With more than 22,000 employees in over 70 cities around the world, Alibaba is one of the biggest e-commerce companies worldwide with annual sales exceeding $170 billion. Alibaba is seen as the main e-commerce facilitator between individuals, merchants and companies in the world and China.

Also present at the meeting were Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group; Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs; Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Reem Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State; Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shebani, Director of Dubai Ruler’s Court; Khalifa Saeed Suleiman, Dubai Director of Protocol and Hospitality; and Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

UAE offers Dh113.8 million for UN aid to Syrian crisis

18 September 2014

Of the funds announced for the UN-sponsored programme, Dh73.4 million will be allocated to provide urgent food aid to more than 615,000 internally displaced people.

The UAE on Wednesday signed three agreements with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) offering Dh113.8 million in support of its response to the humanitarian crisis in Syria. This assistance will benefit about 880,000 Syrians.

This aid is part of the UAE’s overall commitment of Dh220 million for Syrians as announced by Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, at an international donors’ conference in Kuwait in January this year.

Of the funds announced for the UN-sponsored programme, Dh73.4 million will be allocated to provide urgent food aid to more than 615,000 internally displaced people (IDPs), including 345,000 children and 139,000 women; Dh22 million for the critical nutrition needs of 240,000 children under the age of five — who are at risk of malnutrition — and pregnant and nursing women inside Syria; and the remaining Dh18.3 million is to help ensure food security for more than 23,000 Syrian refugees residing in Al Za’atri refugee camp in Jordan.

Shaikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of International Cooperation and Development, said, “The WFP is playing a critical role in providing food aid for Syrians affected by the crisis. The UAE is pleased to be able to support the WFP’s efforts to respond to the plight of Syrian refugees as well as those displaced inside Syria.”

Shaikha Lubna, who is also Chairperson of the National Committee for Coordination of Foreign Aid, said the UAE’s effective response to the humanitarian consequences of the crisis in Syria is in implementation of the directives of the wise leadership, led by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; and is backed and sponsored by General Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

Ertharin Cousin, Executive Director of WFP, said, “At the WFP, we are proud of our strategic partnership with the UAE and we commend their generosity towards the Syrian people. This contribution demonstrates once more the UAE’s commitment to saving lives in emergencies. It means that the WFP can continue to provide life-saving food assistance to thousands of families in Syria and to refugees in neighbouring countries.”