Page 487 - MOE ENGLISH PR REPORT - JANUARY 2025

While transport and storage activities have emerged as the fastest growing non-oil economic
sectors in the GDP during the first six months of 2024, the focus will be on new economies, such as
digital technologies and platforms, robotics, AI and automation.
Sandboxes

Al Marri highlighted the UAE’s willingness to test world-class technologies, noting that self-driving
cars are being tested in designated zones. This week, Masdar City launched tests for autonomous
vehicles, and in December 2024, a drone delivery system was introduced at Dubai Silicon Oasis.

“The UAE’s land is a test bed for the world-class technologies to be tested on,” he said.

Al Marri noted the importance of public-private partnerships (PPP) in driving future growth.
“The future lies in PPPs. When it comes to innovation, creativity, taking risks, it’s public-private
partnerships,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, Dr Aisha Bin Bishr, a global digital transformation expert and strategic leader in Smart
City Initiatives, highlighted the growing role of AI in enhancing capabilities and driving efficiencies
across economies.

“We need to foster a culture of innovation. We need to upskill employees, and open labs for
innovators to explore AI applications,” she said on the closing day of the forum.

https://gulfnews.com/uae/environment/new-economies-to-drive-share-of-non-oil-sector-in-uae-s-
gdp-to-80-1.500017408