Abu Dhabi Government at Gitex 2023 showcased projects and initiatives across many fields and areas were highlighted, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology and analytics, all to leverage technology and innovation to deliver service excellence and an enhanced customer experience.

The latest iteration of the Abu Dhabi Government Services Unified Platform, blockchain enabled TAMM, showcased by the Department of Government Enablement, means customers can now access more than 750 services from over 30 Abu Dhabi government entities and numerous private sector providers. The new version also brings a slew of enhancements and features. The platform – now publicly available – was built on feedback from the public, coupled with the latest technological and customer-centric advancements.

“The latest version of TAMM was only made possible by collaboration between more than 30 Abu Dhabi Government entities, all working together towards achieving the government’s vision of enabling the Emirate’s people and communities through innovation and digitalisation,” said Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi.

“In alignment with Abu Dhabi’s digital transformation strategy, our ambition is to create an advanced digital ecosystem that reflects the aspirations of our people and sets a new global benchmark for how government services are delivered,” he added.

Dr. Mohamed Abdel Hameed Al Askar, Representative of the Abu Dhabi Government Services Unified Platform “TAMM” at DGE, said, “Thanks to the insights of citizens and residents across Abu Dhabi, the latest version of TAMM has been developed to prioritize user needs, creating a more enhanced, customer-centric and personalized platform that simplifies access to government and private sector services for residents and businesses alike.”

Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Housing Authority (ADHA) introduced the ISKAN Abu Dhabi app based on state-of-the-art technology. This digital customer service portal changes the way customers interact with ADHA. The app empowers individuals to explore housing and land options, access detailed information and make informed decisions about housing plans without the need for physical visits or extensive paperwork.

“The Abu Dhabi Housing Authority is working to adopt the latest technologies and innovative systems set to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of housing services provided on various platforms to customers. We’re committed to enhancing the customer journey by simplifying procedures and enabling customers to obtain housing services to increase customer satisfaction, reduce waiting time and expedite the application process,” said Hamad Hareb Al Muhairi, Director-General of ADHA.

Abu Dhabi Customs (ADC) unveiled a groundbreaking project focusing on implementing blockchain technology within their customs systems to establish a robust risk analysis system based on reliable data. This initiative aims to create an interoperable system that aligns with future business requirements.

In 2020, the Abu Dhabi Government Services ecosystem, TAMM has launched the second phase of its innovative blockhain enabled digital payment platform “Abu Dhabi Pay”.  

The UAE Ministry of Economy in partnership with the Minister of State for Government Development and the future has commenced application for the top 100 future enterprises including blockchain startups.

The initiative which was launched in December 2022 aims to accelerate the growth of promising UAE ‘Future Economy’ SMEs, encourage investment in ‘Future Economy’ companies in the UAE, strengthen UAE’s position as the start-up and scale-up nation and support the continued sustainable growth of the ‘Future Economy’ ecosystem.

100 startups based out of the UAE and utilizing technologies such as Blockchain, AI, Web3, robotics, IoT, 3D printing, working in sectors such as renewable energy, agritech, space, advance manufacturing, biotech, creative industries, sustainability, healthtech and cybersecurity will be able to participate in the competitionad be awarded Future 100 Label with various perks and benefits.

The chosen startups will have fast Access to Investors, Regulators And Business Community, support – Funding, Legal, Commercial, and Capacity Building

Applicants for the Future 100 will be evaluated on the basis of their creative capacity, market potential, and environmental, social and corporate governance impact.

Startups andSMEs  that have offices or operations in the UAE that are eligible to apply can submit an online application on the Future 100 website.

At Davos, the UAE government signed an MOU with WEF (World Economic Forum) to support UAE’s new Blockchain and AI enabled Trade Tech initiative. The initiative is designed to accelerate the digitization of international supply chains, enhance customs procedures, and improve developing countries’ access to the global trading system and, as a result, spur a new era of trade growth.

From the UAE’s side, the MoU was jointly signed by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), and Prof. Klaus Schwab, WEF Founder and President.

The agreement will support the UAE’s efforts to deliver the initiative’s four key components: a global forum to gather trade, industry and technology leaders to share best-practice; an annual research report into the trade tech landscape, real-life applications and emerging trends; a regulatory sandbox to enable companies and startups to experiment with trade-tech innovations; and an incubator for promising startups in the trade tech space.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi said, “The Trade Tech Initiative is a crucial step in modernizing global trade, using the tools of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0) to reduce the cumbersome and inefficient paper-based processes that continue to dominate supply chains. We believe it is essential to harness the benefits of advanced technology to catalyze global trade  using artificial intelligence to automate customs processes and warehouse management to deploying blockchain to revolutionize trade finance, cross-border payments, and know-your-customer procedures, the potential for enhancement is limitless.”

He added, “International buy-in and regulatory frameworks are essential for these ideas to take root and our partnership with the World Economic Forum is a vital first step in realizing the goals of the Trade Tech Initiative. In 2024, the UAE will host MC13, the leading decision-making body of the World Trade Organization, and we are determined to build consensus over the next 12 months to begin pioneering a new era of fully digitized, operationally efficient global trade.”

Al Shorafa stated, “The UAE has a strong track record in developing and deploying innovative technologies to enhance efficiencies in the trade process. A typical example is our Advanced Trade & Logistics Platform (ATLP), the one-stop-shop for all trade operations. The emirate utilizes advanced technology such as AI-powered systems to enable traders facilitate their import and export transactions. We believe The UAE’s new Trade Tech Initiative further strengthens our efforts to enable traders to export and import seamlessly by accelerating the digitization of supply chains, and enhancing customs procedures.”

Concurrently UAE’s Minister for Foreign trade H.E. Thani Al Zeyoudi stated in an interview with Bloomberg, “Crypto will play a major role in the United Arab Emirates’ global trade moving forward.

Minister Thani Al-Zeyoudi, commenting on the crypto sector, said, “Crypto will play a major role for UAE trade going forward. The most important thing is that we ensure global governance when it comes to cryptocurrencies and crypto companies.”

 Al-Zeyoudi went on to suggest that as the UAE works on its crypto regulatory regime, the focus will be on making the Gulf country a hub with crypto-friendly policies that also have sufficient protections in place. He explains, “We started attracting some of the companies to the country with the aim that we will build together the right governance and legal system needed.”

The BSV Blockchain association MENA chapter is working on several blockchain education and implementation projects to drive innovation in the UAE. To launch these initiatives BSV Blockchain will be hosting a VIP reception event in Ras Al Khaimah on October 8th 2022 at the InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa.

Members of the UAE royal family, C-level executives and select members of the media will be in attendance.

Muhammad Salman Anjum, BSV MENA Hub Lead and Chief Mate of InvoiceMate stated, “This event will include the rolling out of training programmes in the Ras Al Khaimah to orient government decision makers and educate local developers and entrepreneurs on the capabilities of the BSV blockchain, an initiative that has already received great interest in the UAE.”

At the event notable speakers and global industry experts will share their uses cases built on BSV Blockchain. They include names such as Marcin Zarakowski – Chief of Staff at BSV Blockchain Association, Bryan Daugherty – Co-founder of blockchain distribution network SmartLedger, Mohammed Ibrahim Jega – Co-founder of Domineum and Geoffrey Weli-Wosu – Co-founder of Domineum, Stephan Nilsson – Founder of UNISOT, and Rohan Sharan – Founder of TimeChain Labs.

BSV Blockchain Association MENA chapter will also be exhibiting at the Future Blockchain Summit in Dubai being held alongside Gitex 2022.

The summit will allow industry experts to leverage countless networking opportunities, an expert conference programme and transformational workshops to explore distinct themes including: Blockchain for Enterprise, The Future of Digital Assets, Into the Metaverse

BSV Blockchain Association will have a physical booth on the show floor where attendees can learn about the original Bitcoin, and its benefits to start-ups and enterprises, as well as speak to BSV Blockchain companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.