Government, private firms on innovation drive

Shayne Nelson, Group CEO at Emirates NBD; and Husam Al Sayed, general manager of group human resources at Emirates NBD, participate in the Group Innovation Olympics in Dubai.

The UAE Innovation Week initiative kicked off on Sunday with government establishments and corporate entities in Dubai coming out with a host of innovation agendas and programmes.
The Supreme Legislation Committee (SLC) held the first meeting of the Administrative and Regulatory Legislative Committee at the Burj Khalifa as part of the initiative and in response to the directives of The President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to mark 2015 as the 'Year of Innovation.'
The week also builds on the National Innovation Strategy, which was launched by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Mohammed Saif Al Muqbali, a member of the SLC and chairman of the Administrative and Regulatory Legislation Committee, headed the meeting that drew the participation of representatives from various government agencies.
Al Muqbali pointed out that innovation is at the centre of the Supreme Legislation Committee's core priorities.
He reaffirmed the panel's commitment to the vision of Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to promote a culture of innovation and creativity in the legal and legislative sectors in line with the National Innovation Strategy developed to make the UAE one of the world's most innovative countries.
DP World issued a report 'A Turning Point: The potential role of ICT innovations in ports and logistics' on the role of ICT in the port and logistics sector as part of the UAE Innovation Week.
The slowdown in global growth has added fresh impetus for the sector to invest in the latest ICT innovations.
Five innovations will affect most aspects of trade and logistics in the future. These include robotics and automation; autonomous vehicles; the Internet of Things and big data; simulation and virtual reality, and cybersecurity.
Emirates NBD held its Group Innovation Olympics to mark the UAE Innovation Week.
The day-long event showcased innovative solutions in banking and financial technology as well as new concepts and possibilities within the sector.
It was attended by members of the board of directors and executive management as well as senior bank officials and staff members.
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, or Dewa, has collaborated with its partners, universities and entrepreneurs to mark the initiative with the participation of international experts who specialise in energy, sustainability and water innovation.
Dewa's initiative comprises several innovative activities and events, including a Government Innovation Lab in which real-life tools will be used to promote innovation.
It also incorporates an Innovation Exhibition. The exhibition will showcase services and products which are not yet on the market and will feature the latest research and technical concepts.
Dr Mohammed Al Zarouni, director-general of Dubai Airports Free Zone Authority, or Dafza, on Sunday launched 'International Innovative Platform for Islamic Economy Products'.
The platform, which gives efforts to strengthen the international Islamic economic system a major boost, is being organised by the International Centre of Islamic Economy in partnership with Dafza and in conjunction with UAE Innovation Week 2015.
- issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com