By : Rasha Hussein
Day four of the 42nd edition of GITEX GLOBAL 2022 witnessed the launch of 'The Entrepreneurial Nation 2.0' by the UAE Ministry of Economy. The world's largest tech and start-up event also heard how Japanese space tech innovators are exploring new opportunities in UAE's booming space economy.
UAE launches Entrepreneurial Nation 2.0
H.E. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, launched the Entrepreneurial Nation 2.0 initiative, which seeks to nurture 8,000 SMEs and create 20 unicorns, or start-ups with a valuation of $1 billion and above, by 2031. The UAE will team up with Saudi Arabia, India, South Korea and Latvia under the initiative, aimed at highlighting UAE start-ups and SMEs' potential on the global stage, H.E. Al Marri said.
This second phase of the Entrepreneurial Nation project, based on the largest public-private sector partnerships of their kind, will open new channels for entrepreneurs to access more opportunities, enabling the growth of start-ups and SMEs and their business expansion from the UAE to various other global markets.
Phase I earned AED 20 million worth of support provided to entrepreneurs and start-ups from the project's private sector partners, and 1,000 projects out of more than 5,000 SMEs and business ventures that signed up through The Entrepreneurial Nation portal were given support.
UAE cybersecurity efforts recognised
The International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2 UAE chapter presented the Government Professional EMEA award for 2022 to H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al-Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity, UAE Government, in recognition of his work towards strengthening the global status of the UAE as a cybersecurity leader. The award also highlights efforts by the UAE Cybersecurity Council to improve the country's cybersecurity capabilities.
H.E. Al-Kuwaiti lauded the efforts of the country's cybersecurity ecosystem, including technology companies, academia and security professionals, who have worked to build resilience and security and to drive digital transformation.
Japan SpaceTech sector seeks more cooperation with UAE and the Middle East
The fast progress of the UAE space programme has opened opportunities for further UAE-Japan space cooperation, with Japanese space technology companies making a vital contribution to the sector. Two Japanese space tech start-ups, Ryota Takahashi, Chief Marketing Officer of Warpspace and Kohei Yoshioka, Director and CFO of IDDK, shared their insights and discussed ways the two countries can boost collaboration. Takahashi said Warpspace is considering opening an office in the UAE, citing the country's rising status as a global innovation hub for the space industry.
Sensorium explores opportunities at the intersection of art and technology
Sensorium, a leading developer in the metaverse space, hosted a panel discussion featuring Deputy CEO & Art Director, Sasha Tityanko to discuss the opportunities of creating virtual artists and beings in AI-powered metaverses. Attendees also explored the exciting synergy between art and technology at the hands of incognito artist SVORA.
"GITEX GLOBAL is one of the most influential events for the tech sector, and we are delighted to once again contribute to its outstanding agenda," said Tityanko. "We wanted to take the metaverse closer to everyone this year, ensuring all visitors can experience the different technological advancements that come together at Sensorium Galaxy."
More information is available at www.gitex.com
