The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) is working with the enterprise division of local operator group Etisalat, trading as e&, to drive Industry 4.0 development in the region, with a stated focus on the internet of things (IoT), cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. The two groups have signed a memorandum of understanding to market new digital tech for smart (and sustainable) manufacturing, they said.
A statement said they will channel the operator’s various IoT, networking, computing, and analytics services in order to “empower manufacturing enterprises in Abu Dhabi”. The deal follows the UAE government’s stated Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS) to develop the local Industry 4.0 economy; it was announced at a smart manufacturing workshop this week, hosted by the government’s industrial development bureau (IDB), attended by 100 local industrial stakeholders, mostly from the SME-end of the manufacturing sector, the pair said.
The duo will establish a joint working group, they said, to “ensure effective communication and cooperation”. A statement said: “ADDED and e& enterprise will collaborate to develop joint white papers and workshops to bolster research and knowledge exchange and raise awareness of sustainable manufacturing. The two parties will also explore opportunities to provide digital solutions for manufacturing operations.”
They will offer active support for the IDB’s ADIS project, also – in the form of “enterprise platforms and services… [and]… collaboration opportunities to drive the adoption of Industry 4.0”. The statement listed specialised Industry 4.0 centres, quality Industry 4.0 jobs, and improved Industry 4.0 trade with global markets as further tactics to establish Abu Dhabi as a “competitive industrial hub in the region”.
Arafat Al Yafei, executive director in the IDB, said: “We are pleased to… to provide a conducive environment to the industrial sector of Abu Dhabi to transition to smart manufacturing and… sustainability… This comes as part of our ongoing efforts to achieve the ambitious objectives of the ADIS, which aim to increase the size of investment in the industrial sector, create new quality jobs, and improve Abu Dhabi’s trade with global markets.”
Alberto Araque, chief executive for the enterprise IoT unit at e&, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with ADDE] to lead the Industry 4.0 revolution and promote sustainable manufacturing… This… [is] a significant milestone in driving innovation and digitalisation in the UAE. It underscores our dedication to empowering businesses to flourish in the digital era while fostering environmentally responsible methods.”
