The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GE Digital to accelerate the digital transformation of the emirate’s manufacturing sector by leveraging innovative solutions.
ADDED and GE Digital will collaborate to adopt circular economy strategies to drive more productive, competitive, advanced and innovative measures for the manufacturing sector, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.
The strategic tie-up with GE is aimed at strengthening the UAE’s position as a global hub for the fourth industrial revolution – Industry 4.0.
The agreement was signed by Sameh Abdulla Al Qubaisi, director-general of economic affairs at ADDED, and Dr. Dalya Al Muthanna, president of GE in the UAE and global chief of strategy and operations for GE international markets.
Under the agreement, GE Digital will provide its expertise to accelerate the pace of technological transformation in the industrial sector and share best practices for designing and launching incentive packages to advance the shift towards applications of the Industry 4.0.
GE Digital will also work closely together with ADDED to provide skill set development programmes to increase diversified technical knowledge in the manufacturing community, aligned with Abu Dhabi Government’s vision to upskill human capital and enable a future-ready workforce.
The pact between the two followed the recently held ‘Make it in the Emirates’ forum in Abu Dhabi.
Al Qubaisi said the partnership with GE was a testament of their efforts to ensure that Abu Dhabi’s smart and circular economy is supported by strong alliances and clear objectives.
The emirate’s manufacturing sector is the largest non-oil gross domestic product (GDP) contributor, with an estimated AED83.5 billion.
“Such initiatives with strategic global partners will guide the industrial sector towards playing an even greater role in economic diversification, and thus multiplying contributions to the economy,” Qubaisi said.
Al Muthanna said through its continuous digital transformation, the manufacturing sector in the UAE was in a strong position to drive greater productivity and efficiency, lower total cost of ownership, and increase profitability.
The UAE’s manufacturing sector plays a pivotal role in the diversification of the national economy, with Abu Dhabi accounting for 40 percent of it, having invested more than AED51 billion over the past 15 years.
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