News

Noon & ADIO To Build Huge Fulfillment Center In Abu Dhabi

The new facility at Khalifa Economic Zones, Abu Dhabi, will be the largest in the region when it opens in 2024.

Published

2 years ago

November 11, 2022

Nour Nasir

Noon

The COVID-19 pandemic massively accelerated the growth of online shopping in the UAE, with the market expected to be worth $9.2 billion by 2026. As eCommerce sales look set to double in volume, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) and Dubai-based online marketplace Noon are teaming up to build the UAE’s biggest fulfillment center.

The 252,000 square meter mega facility will be sited in Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Economic Zones, and ADIO is offering Noon monetary and non-monetary incentives to open the massive new warehouse.

“Noon’s partnerships with ADIO and KEZAD Group are significant in scale and impact, creating thousands of jobs and new opportunities for the private sector to plug into an e-commerce platform and the emirate’s innovation ecosystem. Leveraging Noon’s cutting-edge logistics, innovation, and technology expertise, the mega fulfillment center will reinforce Abu Dhabi’s emerging strength in e-commerce and logistics while boosting adjacent industries like transportation and warehousing,” says Abdulla Abdul Aziz Al Shamsi, acting director general at ADIO.

According to the latest press announcement, the new fulfillment center will allow rapid product delivery across the UAE marketplace, using the latest robotic and AI-based automation techniques for sorting, transfer, and storage. The high-tech facility will still need plenty of human workers, with more than 6,000 new staff positions expected to be created, including entry-level packing jobs up to managerial executives.

Also Read: Aramex Has Successfully Tested Drone Deliveries In Oman

“As a local technology company, it is our duty to innovate, invent, and provide the optimal infrastructure for a digital-first future. The new hub in the UAE will accelerate not only Noon’s growth but also eCommerce in our region. We are proud to collaborate with UAE industry leaders such as ADIO and KEZAD to provide our people and nation with the world-class tools necessary for success,” says Mohamed Alabbar, Founder of Noon.

With Noon’s expanded operations in Abu Dhabi, the emirate’s eCommerce sector is receiving a significant infrastructure boost. Business owners, startups, and SMEs will all be able to take advantage of the Noon platform, using its extensive distribution networks to reach new clients and provide an enhanced service for existing users.

News

“AI Seal” Certification Now Required For Dubai Gov Partnerships

The new mandatory certification is designed to build trust in AI companies and create a reliable network of providers for government and public collaboration.

Published

21 hours ago

January 21, 2025

Nour Nasir

ai seal certification now required for dubai gov partnerships

Dubai Media Office

Dubai has introduced the Dubai AI Seal, a certification designed to establish trust in artificial intelligence (AI) companies and solutions. This initiative, directed by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, aims to create a reliable network of AI providers which government entities and businesses can collaborate confidently.

Companies must now obtain the AI Seal to qualify for UAE or Dubai government contracts. The Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DCAI), which developed the certification, sees it as a competitive edge for companies looking to participate in key national projects. Once certified, businesses will be permitted to showcase the seal across their websites and marketing materials, signaling their credibility and dependability.

The evaluation process will consider six main criteria: the company’s services and operations, the number of employees specializing in AI, ongoing and future projects, as well as existing partnerships with public and private sector entities.

dubai ai seal certification

Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees the DCAI, commented on the initiative’s potential: “This initiative will help create powerful partnerships between the public and private sectors, locally, regionally, and globally. It will help drive new economic opportunities by leveraging AI to serve better the economy, society, and the future we aspire to”.

Also Read: Top Free AI Chatbots Available In The Middle East

The Dubai AI Seal’s goals include providing a clear framework for verifying AI providers, fostering business opportunities for AI companies, and acknowledging the industry’s strategic importance to Dubai’s economy. The initiative emphasizes AI’s role in driving economic growth, creating jobs, and strengthening collaboration between government bodies and technology firms.

All technology companies operating in Dubai and offering AI-related services or products are eligible to apply for the certification at no cost through the official website.