ABU DHABI, UAE – Experts from UK and the UAE participated in a Sci-Tech Virtual Tour of the Emirates science and technology ecosystem.
The virtual tour was organized by UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), UAE Embassy in London, UAE-UK Business Council and the British Embassy in the UAE.
The list included University of Manchester’s National Graphene Institute, Cranfield University, Octopus Energy, among others.
With a focus on sustainable industrial development and renewable energy, the tour introduced UK-based stakeholders to the UAE’s efforts to promote the adoption and development of technology in priority sectors, to enhance productivity, competitiveness, efficiency and sustainability.
The UAE Sci-Tech Virtual Tours were launched in 2021 to highlight the country’s science and technology ecosystem and its offerings to its key international partners.
The tour was launched to facilitate business-to-business introductions between stakeholders and investors and to provide a platform for public- and private-sector stakeholders to exchange ideas and expertise.
During the UK Sci-Tech Virtual Tour, delegates participated in panel sessions that covered topics including decarbonization, affordability and supply of renewable energy, R&D collaborations and achieving net-zero emissions.
Head of Economic Affairs Section, UAE Embassy in London, Marwan Al Naqbi said, “Renewable energy is presently one of the most important focus areas for countries to pursue joint initiatives.”
He said, “The UAE is committed to playing a leading role in protecting our planet for the next generation and we are incredibly proud to be hosting COP28 next year.”
He added, “New technology will need to be developed, tested and brought to market. This is one area in which the best minds from the UK and the UAE can work together to address common challenges.”
Marwan Al Naqbi said, “In my view, the UAE is a global pioneer in creating an optimal environment to enable innovation across industries.”
He said, “The UAE and UK share an ambition to collaborate in areas of shared national interest such as industry, advanced technologies and renewable energy. My message to everyone is that there is a great opportunity here for partnerships to flourish.”
Deputy Consul-General, British Embassy in Dubai, Alison Hall said, “The UK has put science, research and innovation as the heart of its industrial strategy and recognizes that scientific collaboration and developing international partnerships are critical for technological innovation.”
Hall said, “Our council for science and technology has noted that the greatest challenges facing humanity transcend national boundaries and require collective action.”
Director of Technology Adoption and Development, MoIAT, Tariq Al Hashmi said, “Digital technologies will be key to a sustainable future. Through our Industry 4.0 program, the UAE is supporting industry to innovate and to adopt advanced technologies including energy efficient solutions.”
He said, “This program contributes to positioning our industrial base at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to enhance its competitiveness, sustainability and productivity.”
He added, “In 2021, MoIAT launched its integrated industrial and advanced technology strategy, Operation 300bn, which aims to increase the contribution of the industrial sector to GDP.”
Al Hashmi said, “Through this strategy we aim to help diversify our economy and safeguard our future by enabling and incentivizing sustainable and technology-empowered industrialization.”
He said, “As part of this strategy, we are planning to increase spending on research and development to two percent of our GDP. This will help to mature and de-risk key enabling technologies such as carbon capture, hydrogen fuel and solar cells to a point where the return on investment is very attractive.”
MoIAT’s virtual tour series is part of its efforts to promote collaboration with global counterparts and facilitate engagements with academics, experts and investors around the world.
It is also to help establish important relationships that will shape the future of the global industrial sector.
The tours highlight the UAE’s unique value proposition, in line with MoIAT’s Make it in the Emirates initiative.
It also reinforces the UAE’s position as a platform for collaboration and a global hub for science and technology.
The UK Sci-Tech Virtual Tour follows other Tours with Spain, South Korea and Singapore.