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Dubai’s Finance Strategy For 2026 Hopes To Achieve Financial Sustainability
Dubai’s Department of Finance has unveiled a strategic plan for 2026 that looks to achieve objectives laid out in the Dubai Strategy 2030.
Dubai’s Department of Finance recently announced its official “Finance Strategy for 2026”, which ties in with the Dubai Strategy 2030 project, an ambitious plan to elevate Dubai as a global platform for knowledge-based, sustainable, and innovation-focused businesses.
The director of the Department of Finance’s Strategy & Corporate Performance Division, Jasim Mohamad Al Zarooni, noted that the plan is based on the vision of “Global leadership and innovative financial sustainability”, centered around six ambitious objectives that were originally laid out in the Smart Dubai 2021 roadmap, with a plan to achieve financial sustainability and a fair and efficient distribution of resources within the emirate.
Here are the six strategic objectives in brief:
A Smart, Liveable & Resilient City
With improved connectedness, simplified and sustainable living, plus all of the critical infrastructure to boost efficiency and promote resilience.
A Globally Competitive Economy Powered By Disruptive Technologies
Pioneering new rules of economic development and engagement to transition to a circular economy that shares assets and resources, whilst building an inspired and highly productive workforce.
An Interconnected Society With Easily Accessible Social Services
Improve quality of life for both residents and visitors by embracing technology to streamline the emirate’s social, cultural, education, and healthcare experiences.
Smooth Transport, Driven By Autonomous & Shared Mobility Solutions
Pioneer smart innovative mobility solutions and automation for a seamless and safe transportation experience in the emirate and reduce commuting time.
A Clean Environment Enabled By Cutting-Edge ICT Innovations
Ensure the sustainability and quality of the emirate’s resources (water, air, energy, and land) for residents and visitors and digitally transform utilities, manufacturing, transportation, and waste treatment.
A Digital, Lean, And Connected Government
Eliminate the need to physically interact with government departments by providing 100% of eligible public services through digital channels and targeting full digital adoption.
The government aims to turn Dubai into the preferred manufacturing platform for global businesses, promoting energy-efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing while fostering a culture of knowledge and innovation that could turn the emirate into a central hub for the global Islamic products market.
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New High-Tech Immersive Gaming Attraction Arrives In Dubai
The City Centre Mirdif facility comes courtesy of Canada’s Activate Games and blends fitness and gaming for thrilling, tech-savvy entertainment.
Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment has joined forces with Canada’s Activate Games to bring a thrilling, tech-driven gaming experience to City Centre Mirdif. The new facility is Activate’s debut project in the MENA region, and reimagines indoor entertainment by merging gaming with fitness to specifically appeal to Dubai’s tech-focused population.
Activate at City Centre Mirdif offers nine unique game rooms that incorporate advanced technology to create an environment where players must jump, dodge, climb, and solve puzzles in more than 50 interactive games. A highlight of the experience, the Mega Grid, has already gone viral on TikTok, attracting attention with its dazzling array of over 500 lights that respond to players’ movements.
Activate’s Dubai location includes 10 levels of game difficulty, spanning from beginner to advanced, making it accessible to all skill levels. Adam Schmidt, CEO and founder of Activate, emphasizes that this experience goes beyond typical fitness or gaming: “With our innovative games engineered for repeat play, we offer a dynamic space for friends, families, and teams to connect, have fun, and stay active. This is a fresh take on entertainment that has made Activate the fastest-growing entertainment concept in the world”.
A central feature of Activate’s success lies in its use of RFID technology, which enables seamless tracking of player progress and achievements. Players earn rewards and badges based on game performance, adding a layer of gamification that keeps them coming back. “Our use of RFID technology allows for seamless tracking and progress, and our reward and badge system adds extra motivation, with players earning badges and rewards based on their achievements,” Schmidt explains.
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As interest in gaming continues to surge in the Middle East, Activate’s timing is ideal to meet the region’s increasing demand for tech-driven entertainment. Positioned as the first experience of its kind in the MENA region, Activate at City Centre Mirdif is set to attract a broad range of visitors, from families to gaming enthusiasts, all seeking a novel and active form of entertainment, he says.