Day: September 29, 2021

Posted on

Dubai Economy signs agreement with DSOA, DMCC and DAFZA to participate in UAE KYC Blockchain Platform

DUBAI, Dubai Economy, Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), Dubai Multi-Commodities Center (DMCC), and Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA) have signed an agreement to participate in the Know Your Customer (KYC) Blockchain Platform through the Unified Business Registry (UBR) Platform. Work is underway to complete the connectivity between the UBR Blockchain Platform and the KYC Blockchain Platform by Q4 2021. With this milestone, members of UBR Blockchain Platform that have chosen to participate in KYC Blockchain Platform can extend all Use Cases implemented in the KYC Blockchain Platform to their customers. This will facilitate faster, more secure and streamlined customer onboarding and allow sharing of verified e-KYC data between licensing authorities and financial institutions by leveraging advanced distributed technologies.

Emirates NBD, Emirates Islamic, Commercial Bank of Dubai, HSBC, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, are live on the KYC Blockchain Platform. Additional licensing entities and financial institutions are in the process of joining the platforms along with Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, Dubai Multi-Commodities Center, and Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority.

“Dubai Economy is focused on strengthening Dubai’s digital economy. The launch of the Unified Business Registry and the Know Your Customer Blockchain Platforms in partnership with our key licensing and banking partners is a testament to our ambitions to transform Dubai into a global tech-driven investment destination. Following the launch of these platforms in 2017 and 2020 respectively, they have become increasingly crucial not only in streamlining and governing business setup in Dubai but also in simplifying the opening of bank accounts for investors and sharing verified KYC data with financial institutions. These initiatives have a positive impact in attracting business and on the ease of doing business ranking of Dubai and the UAE,” said Mohammed Hassan AlShehhi, Acting CEO, Business Registration and Licensing sector of Dubai Economy.

Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Deputy CEO of DSOA, said: “As an integrated technology park, Dubai Silicon Oasis provides a conducive environment for developing and testing innovative and advanced technologies in different fields such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and smart city solutions. DSOA is committed to employing these technologies to boost efficiencies, support business partners growth, and enhance collaborations with stakeholders in the drive for excellence. Joining the Know Your Customer (KYC) Blockchain Platform through the Unified Business Registry (UBR) Platform is an evidence of our commitment to building synergies that leverage the strengths of diverse public and private sector partners to fast-track Dubai’s drive to be the smartest city in the world.”

Ahmad Hamza, Executive Director – Free Zone, DMCC, said: “At every turn, DMCC looks to further increase the ease of doing business in Dubai to attract businesses and trade to the emirate. This core philosophy is why we are home to over 19,000 member companies, with 204 new businesses joining us in August alone. Through this agreement with Dubai Economy, we will be augmenting our fully digital onboarding process to make it easier and quicker for them to set up at DMCC. Following the DMCC Crypto Centre launch, the agreement also falls in line with DMCC’s drive to harness distributed ledger technologies such as blockchain to streamline business and provide world-leading services to our members. We look forward to working with Dubai Economy on this important initiative.”

Amna Lootah, Assistant Director General of the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA), said: “DAFZA is committed to being a major contributor to various government efforts aimed at advancing the future of Dubai’s digital economy and strengthening investments in the digital sector. The integrated platform consolidates the reputation of the emirate globally, as a forerunner in adopting the latest digital platforms that support businesses within the global investment community and helps advance economic systems and processes.”

“DAFZA is at the forefront of adapting to the latest technologies in delivering exceptional customer experience. We are proud to be supporting the UAE’s KYC Blockchain Platform as it will be a key enabler to digitalize, boost efficiency and flexibility. The platform is the first-of-its-kind in the region and will enhance Dubai’s position as an attractive destination for foreign investments, as well as increase the confidence of the business community across the emirate.” Lootah added.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

Expo ‘Visions and Journeys’ to host inspiring female personalities

DUBAI, Expo 2020 Dubai will host a number of influential women from across the globe who specialise in various sectors as part of the ‘Visions and Journeys’ initiative. The sessions will be take place at the Women’s Pavilion and are part of Expo 2020’s commitment to highlight women and gender balance related topics.

The sessions will be held throughout the period of Expo 2020. October will witness eleven women figures, including ministers, international officials and first ladies. Speakers will include: Louise Mushikiwabo, Secretary-General of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie; Natasa Pilide, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry; Ndeye Saly Diop Dieng, Minister of Women, Family and Gender of Senegal; Simonetta Di Pippo, Director of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs; Erika Mouynes, Minister of Foreign Affairs in Panama; Dr. Ferencz Orsolya, Ministerial Commissioner for Space Research in Hungary; Ms. Fazna Ahmed, First Lady of the Maldives; and Marie-Celine Zialo, Minister for Youth, Sports & Family in Seychelles.

Shamsa Saleh, Secretary-General of the UAE Gender Balance Council, said: “The ‘Visions and Journeys’ sessions serve as an important platform for knowledge exchange between female figures and visitors during Expo 2020 as well as aligning with the broader themes and goals of the global event. The speakers will share their inspiring experiences in the hope that this will provide learning opportunities for aspiring women. Across the years , women have inspired societies around the world with their capabilities , therefore, every effort should be made to empower women and provide them with the right ingredients for success.”

She affirmed the commitment of H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE Gender Balance Council, and President of Dubai Women Establishment, to gender balance issues in cooperation with the international community as well as promoting equal participation of men and women across development paths in line with achieving the United Nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

She added: “Through this partnership, Expo 2020 Dubai and the UAE Gender Balance Council will seek to enhance awareness around this topic , as well as shed light on the UAE’s success in supporting women and their achievements across sectors over the past 50 years.”

Hind Alowais, Vice President of Participant Management at Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “We are delighted to partner with the UAE Gender Balance Council and we thank H.H. Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for her commitment and continuous support in promoting gender balance in the UAE. This support is fundamental to achieving the goal of a fair balance between men and women across all fields.”

Alowais added: “Our partnership with the UAE Gender Balance Council will enrich the Women’s Pavilion, which is organised by Expo 2020 in partnership with Cartier. The ‘Visions and Journeys’ initiative consists of numerous common values and strategic goals between the Women’s Pavilion and the Council, and given the initiative’s success in attracting influential women to share their insights and experiences with visitors from all across the world, we hope it will inspire many girls and women to follow this path.”

Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

Dubai Maritime Authority discusses cooperation with ‘Enterprise Singapore’

DUBAI, Sheikh Saeed bin Ahmed Al Maktoum, Executive Director of the Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), has received a delegation from the “Enterprise Singapore”, a Singapore government organisation under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, headed by Sugumaran Devaraja, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, to discuss development prospects between the sector’s pioneers on both sides.

The meeting, held at the headquarters of DMCA in Dubai, sought to map out the opportunities to enhance effective cooperation and exchange of experiences between the authority and the entity, especially in the field of smart maritime technology, innovations and related technical solutions and exploring ways to develop the maritime sector in Dubai.

Sheikh Saeed stressed the authority’s keenness to strengthen the strategic partnership and cooperation with various stakeholders to promote innovation in marine entertainment sectors and launch projects and initiatives that contribute to achieving the goals of both parties. He emphasised that Dubai occupies an advanced position in terms of flexibility and readiness because of its advantages. He added that DMCA is dedicated to regulating, promoting and enhancing maritime activity to reaffirming Dubai’s position as a first-class competitive marine hub.

From his side, Devaraja expressed his admiration for the authority’s efforts to consolidate the emirate’s maritime and competitive position to advance the development of the maritime sector, which contributes to promoting economic growth, achieving sustainable development goals, and consolidating Dubai’s advanced position among the world’s top maritime centres.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

Expo 2020 begins with star-studded Opening Ceremony, streamed live across the UAE, and spectacular fireworks

DUBAI, Expo 2020 Dubai’s star-studded Opening Ceremony will be streamed live to more than 430 locations across the UAE, giving everyone the chance to participate in the mind-blowing spectacle, wherever they might be.

This will be followed a night later by three spectacular fireworks displays in Dubai, marking the first full day of the Expo in a spectacular visual celebration commemorating the journey from winning the bid in 2013 to opening the first World Expo in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region and the largest global event held since the start of the pandemic.

On Thursday, 30 September, nation-wide Opening Ceremony viewing parties will take place across the country, thanking the nation for its support and inviting everyone to come together to celebrate this momentous occasion for Dubai, the UAE and the region as a whole.

Screens will be set up in locations ranging from airports and shopping malls to hotels and other landmarks, relaying the incredible music and cultural performances as they happen.

Viewers from anywhere in the world can also join the evening’s proceedings via a global live stream, available on virtualexpo.world

https://virtualexpo.world/ and Expo TV

http://www.expo2020.com/tv from 1930 GST onwards.

Among those slated to perform are world-famous tenor Andrea Bocelli; Grammy-nominated, Golden-Globe-winning actress, singer and songwriter Andra Day; platinum-selling British singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding; international mega-star pianist Lang Lang; and four-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo.

The incredible fireworks displays will take place on the evening of Friday 1 October, kicking off at 2020 GST, at Dubai Festival City, The Frame and The Pointe, Palm Jumeirah, with each presenting their own unique celebrations. Both The Pointe and Dubai Festival City will incorporate their fountains into a dazzling light and sound show themed on Expo 2020, while The Frame façade will be lit up in Expo colours. The flags of participating countries will also be displayed at each, with booths on the ground for purchasing Expo 2020 tickets.

The roster of streaming locations for the Opening Ceremony includes more than 240 hotels nation-wide, including Emaar’s Rove, Armani, Address Hotels & Resorts, and Vida Hotels & Resorts, as well as Accor, Marriot, Hilton, IHG, Rotana, Jumeirah, Hyatt International and Atlantis The Palm.

In addition, 17 Majid Al Futtaim malls, plus City Walk, Nakheel Mall and Ibn Battuta Mall, as well as 50 Jashanmal locations across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, 97 Mediclinics, Dubai and Abu Dhabi International Airports and Zabeel Ladies Club and Sharaf DG will also stream the experience.

Expo 2020 Partners are also offering their invaluable support, with many, including Dulsco, Terminus Group, L’Oreal and Nissan, hosting Opening Ceremony viewing parties for their staff. Emirates, the Official Airline Partner of Expo 2020 Dubai, will also stream proceedings across its first and business class lounges, both local and international.

Adding to the evening’s magic, viewings are taking place at various locations in Umm Al Quwain, Yas Plaza in Abu Dhabi and across various locations in Ras Al Khaimah, including the Corniche, Al Marjan Island and Manar Mall. Ajman Heritage District and Fujairah Fort will also host a live broadcast, the latter accompanied by an evening of other festivities that include a mini village, folklore bands, traditional crafts, heritage displays and traditional food.

Source: Emirates News Agency

Posted on

UAE to host 85th General Assembly of International Electrotechnical Commission and ‘Young Professionals Programme’

ABU DHABI, The UAE will host the 85th General Assembly of the International Electrotechnical Commission in the emirate of Dubai from 3rd to 7th October, 2021.

The event brings together international experts, scientists, technicians and specialists in industrial, commercial, academic, technical and engineering fields, and young people from 88 countries. Held this year under the theme “Leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution with Standardisation”, the assembly provides a unique platform for exchanging ideas, information and best practices and establishing new directions and strategies.

The current edition of the assembly is of particular importance as it is organised as a hybrid event for the first time, combining in-person and virtual attendance. Around 300 global officials, experts and specialists will be present in Dubai, with thousands of attendees connecting via video worldwide.

The assembly, hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology, will be accompanied by the launch of its “Young Professionals Programme”, which is dedicated to training the next generation of experts and leaders in standardisation and conformity assessment.

Hosting the assembly reflects the UAE’s status as a regional economic and industrial hub. It is in line with the nation’s strategy for building a sustainable economy based on knowledge and innovation as outlined in the recent Projects of the 50.

IEC is committed to developing international specifications and standards, and managing programmes for mutual recognition of conformity certificates for all electrical and electronic devices and related technologies. Its members comprise 89 countries (national committees), 210 technical committees and more than 1,500 teams.

Discussions focus on many topics related to future industries and advanced technology, such as power generation, transmission and distribution, household appliances, office and medical equipment, semiconductors, optical fibres, batteries, solar energy, nanotechnology, marine energy, medical and magnetic technologies, multimedia and communication, in addition to many other technologies related to measurement, performance, design, development, safety and environment. All discussions around these technologies are held in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Young Professionals Programme, which began in 2010, will be held on the sidelines of the assembly. Like every year, the UAE will participate in this year’s sessions through four national participants, including Engineer Mohammed Hassan from the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR); Engineer Lubna Al-Maaini from the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)’ Engineer Alia Al Zaabi from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), and Engineer Reem Al Falasi from the Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du).

Source: Emirates News Agency