Abu Dhabi stands at the forefront of the MENA region’s economic growth, boasting a 9.3% growth rate in 2022. Looking ahead, the emirate’s ambitious roadmap, the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, charts a course for economic transformation. A key goal of the roadmap is to substantially reduce reliance on hydrocarbons, with a target of achieving 64% of GDP from non-hydrocarbons sectors by 2030. Th
As Gulf countries continue to pursue plans to diversify their economies and unlock job creation for their relatively young populations, they are increasingly investing in the growing industry around competitive video games known as e-sports. The MENA gaming market is expected to expand by some 19% by 2025 compared to 2019, according to a June 2022 analysis by strategic consultancy RedSeer, reaching…
With a strong ecosystem in place, the coming years should see Abu Dhabi more deeply embedding advanced technologies in government and business procedures to propel economic growth. The emirate benefits from its advanced digital infrastructure, with the emirate and the UAE both having achieved high rankings in multiple global digital readiness indices. Governments across the GCC have traditionally been…
Interview:Ali Al Hashemi How can satellite-enabled internet-of-things (IoT) technologies boost telecommunications? AL HASHEMI: For the past two decades IoT has been largely enabled by terrestrial telecommunications technologies, such as 3G, 4G and 5G. However, the scope and reach of IoT services has been extended further by satellite communications. IoT is playing a larger role in bringing…
Interview:Peng Xiao Where do you see opportunities for artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing to advance the economic development of Abu Dhabi and the UAE? PENG XIAO: In these globally challenging times, becoming an independent, sovereign state in the digital domain is essential to facilitate economic development. G42 is focusing on AI, cloud computing, big data and other types of…
Abu Dhabi is poised for deeper integration of advanced technologies in government and business processes. With advanced digital infrastructure and high global rankings in digital readiness, the emirate is at the forefront of digital transformation. To attract private investment, federal and emirate-level authorities are implementing advanced digital government services, enhancing transparency and…
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is experiencing a period of sustained economic growth, outperforming other G20 nations in 2022. This expansion is attributed to higher global energy prices, resulting in a fiscal surplus and supporting diversification efforts and the non-oil sector.
Key public and private research, development and innovation (RDI) institutions are being harnessed to cultivate domestic and international partnerships designed to foster knowledge-sharing and skill transfer, and reinforce the innovation ecosystem in the Kingdom. Indeed, the Sustainable Partnerships Conference held in Riyadh in November 2022 resulted in 50 partnerships being signed between Saudi universities…
In terms of the filing of international patents, 2022 was a record-breaking year, with higher education playinga significant role in driving innovation and expanding international practices regarding intellectual property (IP). The UNWorld Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) reported in February 2023 that 278,100 international patents had been filed globally in 2022, a 0.3% increase…
The Gulf presents a significant growth opportunity for the global gaming industry due to its young and tech-savvy population, extensive government support, and continued investment in tourism, hospitality and entertainment. According to the 2022 census, 63% of Saudi Arabia's population is under the age of 30, with the median age being 29; the average disposable income for Saudi nationals is also relatively…