Dubai Future Foundation announced today that Estonia, South Korea, New Zealand and Latvia have joined ‘Country in Residence’ Program in the Area 2071 . Four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to this effect were signed at the World Government Summit (WGS).
Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, said: “The new countries in Area 2071 will get a unique opportunity to exchange experiences and connect with governments, private sector and business leaders from around the world. We will work closely with them to create new innovations and shape future sectors. We aim to expand our global partnerships in the future to make Area 2071 a global ecosystem for technology and innovation.”
The MoUs were signed in the presence of His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation, Khalfan Juma Belhoul, Abdulaziz Al Jaziri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, H.E. Rene Tammist Minister of Entrepreneurship and IT in the Republic of Estonia, Alo Ivask, Chairman of the Board of Enterprise Estonia, Gi Hyun Kim, the President of KITA MENA Headquarters, Tony Martin, NZTE Regional Director for the Middle East, India and Africa, and Inga Ulmane, Deputy Head of the Representative Office of Investment and Development Agency of Latvia in the United Arab Emirates
In his comments, Alo Ivask said: “We have just opened an Enterprise Estonia trade office in Dubai and signing the memorandum of understanding with Dubai Future Foundation is an excellent opportunity for introducing our solutions and companies and to strengthen economic ties with the United Arab Emirates. It’s a great honour for Enterprise Estonia to be part of a global collaboration to accelerate the pace of innovation and to co-create the future”.
Gi Hyun Kim added: “"KITA, the largest business organization in Korea with over 70,000 member companies, will design and operate Korea Desk in DFF to secure new growth engines and establish sustainable growth bases for both Korea and UAE through the cooperation and globalization of promising startups."
Tony Martin said: “Our MoU will provide a great opportunity for New Zealand companies and their partners in the UAE for working together with a shared purpose of creating technological solutions to address the challenges of the real world. "
Inga Ulmane said: “While Dubai is on a mission to build a bright and prosperous future, by signing this MOU with the Dubai Future Foundation we have an opportunity to join, contribute and expand it to a global level. In 2015 when Latvian opened it’s Trade Office in the UAE, our first steps were made towards an understanding the vision of the country, now we have an honour to be a part of it! Last 4 years have proven that the most succeeding industries for a mutually beneficial cooperation are ICT, Healthcare, Education and Construction.
The 'Country in Residence' program allows partner countries to communicate directly with government and private entities, entrepreneurs and trade, diplomatic and cultural commission representative offices and investment delegations in the 2071 area.
The program was launched under the directives of High Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation, to build global partnerships in the public and private sectors to support adoption of future technology and exchange of international experiences and innovations.
