The UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the American technology firm, International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) to further develop its network of Industry 4.0 champions interested in collaborating to support digital transformation in the country’s industrial sector.
Under the Industry 4.0 champions network, local and global companies partner to share best practices in the deployment of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies across the UAE’s industrial sector through a variety of interactions, including demonstrations, proof-of-concept (PoC), training workshops, digitization subsidies, and apprenticeships.
The network aims to support the creation of 100 “lighthouses” by 2031 and attract 500 tech companies by the end of the same year. These anchor companies will help drive productivity, innovation, and efficiency in their respective sectors.
Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber Minister of Industry & Advanced Technology UAE
“The UAE’s industrial sector is making a significant contribution to the rapid economic development of the UAE. We are committed to accelerating this contribution through the adoption and integration of advanced technologies into the daily operations of our industrial companies. The expertise of technology partners like IBM is essential in demonstrating the transformational power of Fourth Industrial Revolution solutions in an already thriving segment.”
Mr. Arvind Krishna, IBM Chairman and CEO, commented, “At a time when digital innovation is reshaping every industry and profession, we are excited to help bring to life the UAE’s vision of taking the most advanced technologies available and deploying them across the country’s industrial sector. By joining the network of 4.0 champions, IBM can bring forward its cutting-edge capabilities and industry expertise, which will help boost the UAE’s digital transformation, economic growth, and sustainability efforts.”
Launched in line with the ‘Projects of the 50’ last year, the Industry 4.0 initiative is created to boost the integration of 4IR solutions and applications across the country’s industrial sector, improve the UAE’s overall industrial competitiveness, drive down costs, increase productivity and efficiency, and create new jobs.
As a key pillar of the UAE’s National Strategy for Industry and Advanced Technology, which aims to transform the industrial sector into a long-term engine of economic growth, UAE Industry 4.0 aims to increase industrial productivity by 30 percent and add $6.81 billion to the national GDP.
