Dubai - MENA Herald: His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis, the integrated free zone technology park, has approved the DSOA 2021 Strategy. The new strategy is based on UAE Vision 2021 and the Dubai Plan 2021 that provide an enabling operational framework for government entities in Dubai and reflects the UAE’s post-oil economy vision.
Commenting on the strategy, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said: “The DSOA 2021 Strategy outlines a road map for the future of Dubai Silicon Oasis to lead its growth and development. Under the directives of our wise leadership and in line with the vision and development strategies of Dubai and the wider UAE, DSOA has put in place strategic objectives that have been translated into initiatives and action plans to support the success of the UAE Vision 2021 and Dubai Plan 2021. We are confident that such initiatives help the UAE set the stage for its post-oil economic growth.”
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed added: “In its role as a leading driver of growth and progress in Dubai, DSOA will utilize its strategy to build on the four pillars and achieve the overall goals outlined by our wise leaders to make DSO the destination of choice for technology-based organizations. We are also committed to supporting entrepreneurs and start-ups over the coming years through the implementation of integrated policies that will contribute to the development of their businesses and in return consolidate our own growth. We aim to provide the right environment for innovation, creativity, and outstanding performance.”
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed noted that the strategy will support the technology sector in developing and enhancing its contribution to the GDP of Dubai. It is built around four main pillars that will boost growth and development at the high-tech park - a smart city, an advanced technology hub, happiest people and a desirable society.
His Highness pointed out that innovation is an essential component of the DSOA 2021 Strategy that reinforces the UAE’s focus on sustainable development towards shaping a knowledge economy and emerging as one of the most innovative countries in the world.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed added that the initiatives and policies of the DSOA 2021 Strategy focused on building the capabilities and competencies of the UAE in the technology sector and served to encourage entrepreneurship, provide employment opportunities and career development for UAE nationals to contribute actively in this sector.
Highlighting the core aspects of the strategy, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed said: “Through the first pillar, DSOA will aim to develop a smart, integrated, and connected city that optimizes its resources and ensures excellence across the built environment by leveraging technology and innovation as well as focusing on good governance. The second pillar reiterates DSO’s commitment to its existing vision and mission, and to consolidating its leading position as the preferred investment destination for foreign capital - specifically for companies working in the technology industry - and as the most business friendly free zone in Dubai for leading international technology companies, entrepreneurs, and start-ups”.
“With the third pillar, DSOA seeks to increase employee innovation, experience, and happiness to ensure that staff members remain confident about their future and take pride in their jobs – this pillar seeks to instill a corporate culture that values the human element within an organization. Lastly, through the fourth pillar DSOA seeks to create a transparent and secure environment that preserves the rights of individuals and institutions”, His Highness concluded.
The previous plan worked on establishing the park as one of the significant hubs in attracting local and regional individuals and organizations in the technology field and developing its role as a prominent supporter of innovation and entrepreneurship. The DSOA 2021 Strategy consolidates earlier achievements and takes bigger steps towards realizing the vision and mission of the park through promoting technology-based industries, facilitating their work, and boosting research and development efforts as part of an integrated community.
The UAE Vision 2021 aims to make the UAE among the best countries in the world by the Golden Jubilee of the Union. In order to translate the Vision into reality, its four pillars – United in Responsibility, United in Destiny, United in Knowledge, and United in Prosperity - have been mapped into six national priorities that represent the key focus sectors of government action in the coming years. These priorities are: cohesive society and preserved identity, safe public and fair judiciary, competitive knowledge economy, first-rate education system, world-class healthcare, and sustainable environment and infrastructure.
The Dubai Plan 2021 was officially launched in December 2014, impacting and involving every individual and institution in Dubai: Emiratis, residents, visitors, government departments, businesses, and international organizations. It speaks to everyone and uses the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015 as a starting point. To translate the leadership’s wise vision into reality, its pillars have been mapped into six national priorities that represent the key focus sectors for the years leading up to 2021 - to drive Dubai’s transformation into one of the best cities in the world. The plan further mandates the Dubai government as the custodian of all aspects of city development. The national priorities of the Dubai Plan 2015: the people: “city of happy, creative, and empowered people”; the society: “an inclusive and cohesive society”; the experience: “the preferred place to live, work and visit”; the place: “a smart and sustainable city”; the economy: “a pivotal hub in the global economy”; and the government: “a pioneering and excellent government”.
A wholly-owned entity of the government of Dubai, DSO operates as a free zone technology park for large enterprises, medium and small companies looking to set up their offices in Dubai.
