Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis, an integrated free zone technology park, has signed two MoUs with European entities aimed at transforming Dubai into the smartest city in the world.

The agreements include the first with Barcelona City Hall and the second with Amsterdam Economic Board.

Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, vice chairman and CEO of DSOA, signed the first MoU with Xavier Trias, Mayor of Barcelona, in the presence of Manel Sanroma, CEO of Barcelona Smart City, and Jordi Cornet, president of Barcelona Free Zone in Barcelona.

The second MoU was inked in Amsterdam between Dr Mohammed Alzarooni and Ton Jonker, chief executive officer, Amsterdam Economic Board.

Under the agreements, DSOA will collaborate on an individual basis with both entities to drive technical and academic partnerships.

In addition to the exchange of knowledge and expertise, Barcelona City Hall and Amsterdam Economic Board will offer support to DSOA’s projects and initiatives under the smart city concept. DSO and each of the European organisations will develop research, host joint symposia and exchange knowledge and thought leaders towards exploring the possibility of implementing innovation projects.

Dr Alzarooni said: “Barcelona and Amsterdam have shown remarkable progress in the smart city domain and now lead the concept in Europe. With DSOA playing a significant role towards achieving Dubai’s objective of becoming a smart city in the next three years, it is essential for us to work with best-in-class partners such as Barcelona City Hall and Amsterdam Economic Board.

“In line with this objective, DSOA will continue to forge ties with like-minded establishments that can contribute to Dubai’s strategy, built around six key pillars: smart life, smart transportation, smart society, smart economy, smart governance and smart environment.”

Trias said: “We are extremely pleased to cooperate with Dubai Silicon Oasis on a key focus area - to create revolutionary hi-tech integrated smart cities. We believe this alliance will help us forge a new model of economic growth based on technology, urban innovation and advanced services to ultimately improve the welfare, health and quality of life of our people.”

Jonker said: “We share DSO’s beliefs and objectives in shaping a global smart city that is sustainable and enhances efficiency of natural resources as well as operations for the greater environmental good. The Amsterdam Economic Board aims to develop the Amsterdam metropolitan area into a leading global business hub in Europe.

“We hope to achieve these results by focusing on the three main pillars of sustainable growth, innovation and strategic collaboration. The MoU will help Dubai and Amsterdam learn and grow through each other’s experiences in achieving their ultimate goals.”

The Smart Dubai Initiative comprises six key thrusts – Smart Economy, Smart Lifestyle, Smart Transportation, Smart Governance, Smart Environment and Smart Generation – and relies on the three basic principles of communication, integration and cooperation.

Through encouraging collaboration between the public and private sectors, the strategy aims to transform Dubai into one of the world’s smartest cities over the next three years through the roll out of 100 initiatives and 1,000 smart services that improve the quality of life in the city. – TradeArabia News Service