UAE Ranked as the Most Innovative Country in the Gulf Region for the Year 2020

UAE Ranked as the Most Innovative Country in the Gulf Region for the Year 2020

The Global Innovation Index (GII) has ranked UAE first in the Arab region and 34th globally based on their innovation capabilities for the year 2020. Thanks to the UAE government’s various initiatives to constantly strengthen its sustainable development via innovation. Furthermore, the month of February in 2021, is foreseen as a national occasion for consolidating the UAE’s position as a global hub of innovation and a catalyst for public and private sectors and businesses to adopt innovative practices.

UAE – National Innovation Strategy

The National Innovation Strategy launched by HH. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 2014 had a clear policy on science, technology and innovation aiming to improve the global ranking of UAE. The strategy included 30 national initiatives implemented over three years, including adopting new legislation, supporting innovation incubators, building specialist national capacities, offering a series of incentives to the private sector, establishing global research partnerships, and modernising government work to be more innovative in seven key sectors, most notably Renewable Energy, Transport, Health, Education, Technology, Water and Space. Currently, UAE has implemented over 100 national initiatives worth AED 300 billion (USD 81.5 billion) in value.

The country has also proposed a series of new national legislative, investment, technological, educational and financial policies aimed at diversifying the national economy. One of the major innovation policies is the investment in the Emirati citizens, to advance their knowledge in science and technology, related to sectors including Space Research, Aviation Industries, Global Pharmaceuticals, Solar Energy Research, Peaceful Nuclear Power Research and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Programs.

In recent years, the UAE has accomplished a series of significant achievements in the field of innovation across major sectors, primarily in the development of educational systems such as, boosting computer use and smart devices in schools, inaugurating new electronic higher education establishments around the country, and establishing several technological institutes and research establishments aimed at promoting innovation.

Impact of Innovation in UAE Economy

The innovation in UAE played a vital role in the Covid-19 crisis and helped address emerging challenges and turn them into opportunities, ensuring business continuity in all vital sectors, upon the highest standards of health and public safety. The country has utilised scientific innovation to consolidate its efforts to counter the pandemic. The UAE was listed in the top 10 countries in the world to combat Covid-19 and also considered as the fastest country in the world to recover from it. The constantly improving innovative landscape in UAE continues to attract global investors to start or expand their business in the country. 

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