Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority Share Smart City Initiatives with Toyota Motor Corporation

Dubai-UAE: 09th October 2018 – Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park, today received a high-ranking group of automotive experts from Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan and Al-Futtaim Automotive. The visit examined ways of enhancing synergies in the smart mobility space. Shahla Abdul Razak, Deputy CEO of DSOA, received the delegation that was led by Kenichi Iwatsuki, General Manager at Toyota Motor Corporation Japan in the presence of senior officials from DSOA, Toyota Japan, and Al-Futtaim Automotive.

During the meeting, DSOA’s team showcased various smart city initiatives featured at the integrated hi-tech park as part of the DSOA 2021 Strategy, and reiterated its continued support for the directives of the UAE government and the Smart Dubai vision. The team also presented its Smart City Strategy, which focuses on six pillars – living, people, mobility, economy, governance, and environment – in line with the Dubai Government’s strategic direction on smart cities.

Afterwards, the visitors were presented with the details of DSOA’s active role as a proof of concept for smart city solutions, which are being implemented in partnership with various entities from the public and private sector. As a centre of excellence and testbed for smart city applications, the Roads & Transport Authority recently joined forces with DSOA in a ground-breaking strategic partnership to contribute to the research and development of new driverless mobility technologies.

Following the meeting, the visitors previewed Silicon Park, the first integrated smart city project taking shape at the hi-tech park at a cost of AED1.4 billion, and set for handover in Q1 2019. The visitors later toured Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Centre (Dtec), DSOA’s wholly owned technology incubation hub and the largest of its kind in the region.

Speaking on the visit, Shahla Ahmed Abdulrazak said: ““The future smart transportation is one of our important pillars in our strategy of developing silicon Oasis to a smart city community. We work and cooperate seriously with various government departments on top of the list is the RTA and the major automobile industrialists to promote smart automobiles and transportation as we see it as a fundamental requirement for operating a smart city successfully. We are happy to provide companies like Toyota and other major automobile manufacturers our support and cooperation in the developments and researches for better, easier, and happier life style”. She added: “We are also committed at DSOA to meeting and exchanging expertise and knowledge with international and local companies that share our vision and passion to technology. In the past, we have collaborated with global automotive brands to open the door for mutual support that can benefit smart mobility initiatives. We are confident that today’s meeting, will present another opportunity to expand our operations in the smart mobility sector and encourage startups to expand their creativity and innovation horizons in the smart mobility sector.”

Shahla also noted DSOA’s strategic partnerships with global automotive brands, as well as its collaboration with Dubai Future Foundation in Government Accelerators that test smart mobility solutions. DSOA also works with Smart Dubai, RTA, and Derq to examine and promote the use of AI in accident prevention.

For his part, Kenichi Iwatsuki commended DSOA on its smart city initiatives, and praised the government of the UAE for its futuristic vision and leadership. He said: “We are honored to have had the opportunity to visit DSO and meet its dynamic leadership team. We believe that DSOA with its ambitious long-term vision will take this integrated technology hub to greater heights in the years to come.”

Also commenting Yousuf Al Raeesi, Director of Government Affairs and HSSE at Al-Futtaim Automotive, said: “We are always proud to see the accomplishments achieved by the DSOA, especially when it comes to smart mobility and other future initiatives that are aligned with the UAE’s vision. We look forward to contributing to the future of mobility in the UAE.” A wholly owned entity of the government of Dubai, DSO operates as a free zone technology park for large enterprises as well as medium and small companies looking to set up their offices in Dubai.

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