The Abu Dhabi Investment Office has joined forces with Singapore Enterprise (ESG), a government agency that supports corporate development, and its subsidiary Singapore IPI to accelerate the development of smart cities in the UAE. Under the agreement, the Singapore company will submit solutions to meet the challenges outlined by the Abu Dhabi entity. Eligible companies will also receive funds from ESG for the development of smart city solutions.

Adio and ESG said in a joint statement on Thursday that this will strengthen cooperation, connect the innovation ecosystem, and promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two sides. Abu Dhabi focuses on using advanced technology to develop its non-oil sector in line with its strategy of diversifying its economy, reducing its dependence on hydrocarbons, attracting foreign investment, attracting highly skilled employees and creating job opportunities. "Abu Dhabi is committed to continuing the already strong economic cooperation with Singapore and promoting innovation to achieve long-term, sustainable growth," said Dr. Tariq bin Hendy, Director-General of Adio. "We look forward to finding feasible solutions that are not only relevant locally, but also exportable globally. This will contribute to the development of knowledge economy and smart cities in our region and surrounding areas," he added.

Meet the challenge

Singapore ranks first in the world in the 2020 Smart City Index of the Institute of Management Development. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are ahead of the Middle East in using technology to improve the quality of life of residents, surpassing advanced urban centers such as Tokyo and Beijing. According to data from the Swiss Research Institute, Abu Dhabi ranks 42nd, slightly higher than Dubai, and ranks 43rd.

A report released in March by MasterCard, Smart Dubai and Expo 2020 shows that nearly 54% of UAE residents expect Covid-19 to accelerate the development of smart cities. According to the report, environmentally-friendly business practices, paperless government services, and fast, affordable city-wide Internet connections are some of the characteristics that residents expect from smart cities. Adio said that the new platform will allow companies to "co-innovate and develop targeted solutions that can be considered for implementation across the city of Abu Dhabi."

It worked with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, the Ministry of Municipal and Transportation, and the renewable energy company Masdar to identify six major challenges to promote the future development of smart cities in the Middle East. Some of these challenges include improving the energy efficiency of buildings and street lighting systems in Roissy, collecting and using data to improve public services, implementing renewable and sustainable energy for various facilities, and improving the comfort of outdoor residents at high temperatures . ESG Assistant CEO Tan Soon Kim said: "As partners, we can work together to promote social transformation and improve the lives of citizens.

He added that the Singapore company will work with entities in Abu Dhabi to "co-create and pilot technology-supported solutions to address a range of urban challenges, including energy and water sustainability, transportation efficiency, and dense communities." Editor/XuNing