Dubai Launches R&D Programme

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), has launched the Dubai Research and Development (R&D).

The programme aims to develop key sectors of the economy and create new opportunities for further innovation across the emirate. The plan is to increase R&D expenditure as well as to involve more members of the private sector in R&D processes.

Ultimately, the implementation of the programme should lead to greater economic sustainability in the emirate. The programme will create a roadmap and a model for R&D management, identifying top priorities, investment management schemes, and options for private sector participation.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed tweeted:

R&D is key to achieving Dubai’s futuristic vision for a robust knowledge-based economy.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed noted the importance of attracting international companies to participate in research and development projects in Dubai, introducing innovative ideas and methodologies and exploring opportunities in knowledge-intensive science and advanced technology.

Four economic sectors will be a priority for the programme: healthcare, environmental technology, smart infrastructure, and space and human-machine intelligence.

Breakthrough technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), database operations, Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, robotics, drones, 3D printing and others will be introduced to achieve programme outcomes.

Earlier, Dubai formed a higher committee for future technologies and the digital economy, which aims to make the emirate a global hub for the future economy. It is designed to develop the digital economy by investing in the metaverse and forging partnerships.