The U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council hosted a senior-level delegation from Smart Dubai on Sunday, April 2nd for a private meeting at the Ritz Carlton DIFC in Dubai.
Mr. Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director General of Smart Dubai and CEO of Dubai Data Establishment, and Mr. Wesam Lootah, CEO of Smart Dubai Government Establishment, met with nearly thirty representatives from various ICT and infrastructure companies to provide a briefing and discuss Smart Dubai’s current projects, future goals and objectives, and opportunities for collaboration with U.S. and Emirati companies.
Mr. Al Nasser said, “Following the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Dubai, Smart Dubai is the world’s first smart city initiative focusing on greater happiness for the city and its residents, using technology as a tool to solve problems that impact the happiness of our people. In our pursuit of making Dubai the happiest city on Earth, we have launched over 100 initiatives and 1000 services that will make day to day city experience more efficient, seamless, safe and impactful for everyone.”
“We always look forward to events such as the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council Roundtable where we have the opportunity to share our learnings and experiences with each other, ultimately helping the world become a happier place.”
From Right to Left: Mr. Wesam Lootah, CEO, Smart Dubai Government Establishment, Mr. Younus Al Nasser, Assistant Director General of Smart Dubai and CEO of Dubai Data Establishment, and Mr. Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council
Companies in attendance were especially interested in learning more about the challenges in integrating various technologies from multiple vendors into Dubai’s smart city development plan and the security technology Smart Dubai implements to limit cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. Stakeholders also had an opportunity to discuss how their individual companies can help Smart Dubai accomplish future objectives through one-on-one networking with the Smart Dubai team. Companies were given specific advice on how to engage various touchpoints in Dubai with regard to discussing Dubai’s future needs and how best to present their offerings.
“The U.S. is a major contributor to the advancement of Smart City infrastructure globally,” said Mr. Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council. “Dubai and the U.A.E.’s forward thinking leadership and state-of-the-art infrastructure provide it the unique opportunity to be at the cutting edge of Smart City development. I think American and Emirati ICT and infrastructure companies recognize this, and their presence here today is a testament of this fact.”
Following the highly substantive meeting, Mr. Sebright gave a special thanks to Mr. Al Nasser, Mr. Lootah, and their team, and thanked the guests for their attendance. Briefing slides from the meeting will be shared with meeting participants and U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council member companies.
