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Dubai’s Sheikh Hamdan Launches New Digital Cloud Project
Digital Dubai, Moro Hub, and Microsoft have signed agreements to carry out the digital transformation project.
On Monday, July 10th, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, announced the launch of a new cloud technology project to boost the Emirate’s tech infrastructure and accelerate digital transformation.
Today, we launched the Dubai Digital Cloud project, the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at reinforcing Dubai’s status as a digital economy capital and further strengthening its digital infrastructure. I also attended the signing of partnership agreements between Digital… pic.twitter.com/y0lQ940tbS
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) July 10, 2023
Known as Dubai Digital Cloud, the project is the latest in a series of initiatives aimed at establishing a “world-leading, efficient, agile and reliable digital infrastructure” in the Emirate, according to a press release from the government’s Media Office.
Last month, the Crown Prince also launched Dubai’s Digital Strategy, which aims to usher in a new era of digital transformation. The move comes after last year’s announcement of a Higher Committee for Government Digital Transformation, showing a continued commitment by Dubai’s government towards creating a tech-centric, future-facing economy.
As for the Dubai Digital Cloud, the project will combine various digital entities to provide high levels of operational efficiency while offering the best solutions from private to public clouds, the Dubai Media office statement explained.
“The Dubai Digital Cloud is a practical application of our leadership’s vision to promote connectivity, integration, and a comprehensive digital government that ensures agility, speed, security, and competitiveness, allowing government entities to provide integrated, proactive, round-the-clock services”, said Hamad Al Mansoori, director general of Digital Dubai.
Also Read: Best Web Hosting Providers In The Middle East
The adoption of cloud-based technology in the UAE and other Gulf countries is growing due to the rise of a young, technology-focused population and a dramatic increase in tech businesses relocating to the region.
Microsoft expects its cloud services to add around $40 billion and up to 100,000 jobs to the UAE’s economy before 2030, with around 17% of those figures coming from cloud data centers in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
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UAE Prepares To Launch Two Satellites: Thuraya-2 And MBZ-SAT
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council yesterday.
HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, chaired the first meeting of the Supreme Space Council in Dubai on December 16, 2024. The session highlighted the UAE’s ambitious space plans and took stock of the sector’s economic progress.
The council emphasized the growing role of private companies in advancing space technologies, noting that their contributions are now equal to that of the public sector. Members also praised initiatives like the Space Economic Zones Programme, which are designed to fuel innovation and investment in the space industry.
خلال ترؤسنا الاجتماع الأول للمجلس الأعلى للفضاء، بحثنا الاستثمارات الوطنية والمشاريع المقبلة في قطاع الفضاء والذي يشهد تطوراً مستمراً… وجددنا التزامنا بدعم ومواصلة تنفيذ برامج طموحة لاستكشاف الفضاء الخارجي حيث وصل حجم الاستثمارات في هذا القطاع إلى 40 مليار درهم خلال السنوات… pic.twitter.com/etJ33OnuSu
— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) December 16, 2024
Discussing the UAE’s space journey, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum remarked, “The national space sector continues to grow and advance, and we take immense pride in the remarkable achievements we have accomplished over the years”.
Sheikh Hamdan also received updates on two upcoming satellite projects: Thuraya-2 and MBZ-SAT. Thuraya-2, developed by Space42, is slated for launch this December. Meanwhile, the MBZ-SAT, created by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), will soon follow. MBRSC, a major driver of the UAE National Space Programme, continues to lead the nation’s space-related developments.
Space42 took the opportunity to showcase its advancements, including ongoing collaborations between public and private entities. The company also outlined strategies to promote innovation, boost revenue streams, and create new opportunities for growth in the sector.
Also Read: IBM Opens New Doha Office To Support Qatar’s Digital Growth
The UAE’s current projects build on a growing legacy of space exploration. Back in 2020, the nation made headlines with its Mars mission, successfully sending a probe into the planet’s orbit in 2021. This mission, which is now in its second phase as of June 2024, has been collecting critical data to develop a comprehensive diurnal image of Mars.
The UAE also ventured into lunar exploration with an unmanned mission aimed at studying untouched regions of the Moon’s surface. While the probe ultimately crashed during its landing attempt after communication was lost seconds before touchdown, the effort represented a significant step in the country’s exploration ambitions.