Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 07 | Page 6

NEWS UAE Dubai Holding launches International Centre for 3D Printing Dubai Holding has launched the International Centre for 3D Printing in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai an International destination for 3D printing by 2030. The project, located at Dubai Industrial City, will create a suitable atmosphere and provide the appropriate infrastructure to bring under one roof a network of design and technology suppliers as well as factories. It will include research centres and laboratories for testing materials used in 3D printed products within an integrated environment dedicated to serve construction, medicine, and consumer products sectors. It will also involve the academic sector, which will add innovation for 3D printing. It will also offer services, professional training, facilities, storage solution, and other logistical support to strengthen this sector. and educational value to this initiative through research and development. The new project aims to build a network of distinguished companies in the 3D printing sector by attracting entrepreneurs and innovators as well as targeting international enterprises locally and globally by offering special laboratories GITEX 2016 launches new global startup movement GITEX Technology Week will launch and host GITEX STARTUP MOVEMENT, one of the most global startup gatherings in the world with over 30 countries represented, as it brings together entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, mentors and buyers for the first time in Dubai. The GITEX Startup Movement will convene over 400 startups and more than 1,000 entrepreneurs, investors and mentors from the global startup ecosystem. The exclusive set-up will highlight the most innovative startups around the world and provide them a platform to sell, form partnerships and attract investors. Participants will also be able to pitch for prizes, attend an interactive conference 6 INTELLIGENTCIO Saif Al Aleeli, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, said: “The establishment of the International Center for 3D Printing by Dubai Holding will enable us take the first steps towards achieving the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to make Dubai a global centre of 3D printing technology.” “The Centre focuses on providing all the components in an integrated system to take this technology from the ideas and innovation stage to the design phase, and provide the materials to a promising market within the, construction, medical and consumer product sectors,” he said. to address challenges faced by entrepreneurs and meet leading industry figures. The initiative has already garnered tremendous interest and momentum from supporters across the globe including Business France, Cross Trade agency in Singapore, Digi Robotics in the UAE, Egypt’s Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), Japan’s Jetro agency, Marco Trade Export in Morocco, Star Systems agency in Iran and STC from KSA. Amjad Shacker, Corporate Communication GM at STC, commented: “InspireU is an STC initiative to promote, support and develop digital startups and nurture and consolidate the startup ecosystem in the MENA region and create sustainable value. We believe that “to inspire is to empower” and we do that by providing the directions and tools to budding entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams. STC strongly supports the launch of the GITEX Startup Movement and is proud to co-present the top tier prize of the event to the best global startup.” “The need for local and regional startup ecosystem consolidation, learning from global best practices, and exposure to global investment network, is imminently evident,” said Shacker. www.intelligentcio.com