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2/21/25, 1:15 PM Plug and Play Middle East Summit: UAE Minister champions role of technology in trade – The Gulf Time Newspaper
Plug and Play Middle East Summit: UAE Minister

champions role of technology in trade

ABU DHABI/WAM

Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, has underscored the transformative role of

advanced technologies — particularly artificial intelligence (AI) — in driving a new era of smarter, faster, and more efficient
global trade and how the UAE is taking the lead on their implementation.
Speaking at the inaugural Plug and Play Middle East Summit, an event that brought together industry pioneers, government
officials, and investors to showcase innovations shaping the economy of tomorrow, Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasised the urgent
need for the international trading community to harness the power of startups and release the value that is being locked away
by outdated systems and human-centric processes.
Dr. Al Zeyoudi stated: “The UAE recognises that trade is undergoing a complete transformation, driven by new technologies,
automation, and digital innovation. It is vital we empower entrepreneurs and startups to develop cutting -edge solutions that
enable smarter, faster, and more inclusive global trade — while establishing the regulatory frameworks and interoperable
systems needed to deploy them. Through the TradeTech Initiative, launched in partnership with the World Economic Forum,
we are accelerating these efforts, including the establishment of the TradeTech Accelerator and a Regulatory Sandbox. Their
success can unlock new opportunities for commerce across the world..”
He continued: “The TradeTech Accelerator, developed in collaboration with Plug and Play, is already yielding results. From a
pool of 1,500 top-tier startups worldwide, we have identified 14 high-potential ventures pioneering AI-driven logistics,

blockchain-powered trade finance, and digital supply-chain optimization. Their agility and creativity will not only enhance
supply chains but also reaffirm the strength of the UAE’s innovation ecosystem.”
The summit included a series of fireside chats and panel discussions, bringing together leading figures from technology,
investment, and trade to explore AI’s evolving role in entrepreneurship. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, from
fintech trends and blockchain to the transformative impact of AI on industries and its role in augmenting human capabilities.

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