UAE a leading technology hub: Shaikh Mohammed

The meeting touched on ways of enhancing cooperation between the e-commerce giant Alibaba and specialised government entities.

Shaikh Mohammed with Jack Ma in Dubai on Wednesday. — Wam

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).

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