DIFC and Etisalat will contribute to Dubai’s overall smart city efforts

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with telecoms provider Etisalat.

It will enable Etisalat to deploy an advanced telecommunication infrastructure, high-speed internet and mobile connectivity for businesses registered within DIFC, which will become the telecoms provider’s preferred location to test smart technologies as they are developed.

Smart city initiatives

In line with Dubai’s 2021 strategy, the agreement will also allow DIFC and Etisalat to collaborate on implementing smart city initiatives utilising big data, analytics and other new technologies.

“DIFC’s strategic partnership with Etisalat will help address the current and future communication and technology needs of our clients,” said Arif Amiri, chief executive officer of DIFC Authority. “The agreement will also help DIFC contribute to Dubai’s smart city aspirations. Working with partners such as Etisalat also enhances Dubai and DIFC’s reputation as the region’s most sustainable city for financial services.”

“Working with partners such as Etisalat also enhances Dubai and DIFC’s reputation as the region’s most sustainable city for financial services”

These initiatives will allow DIFC to identify trends which will help enhance its business and lifestyle offerings. It said in a statement that the two sides will explore smart systems for building, energy consumption, waste management and vehicle parking, supporting Dubai and DIFC’s ambitions to be the region’s most sustainable city for financial services.

“Etisalat’s strategic partnership with DIFC will transform the financial community by leveraging smart technologies to accelerate the transition to the new era,” said Salvador Anglada, group chief business officer, Etisalat. “This is in line with our vision and strategy to ‘drive the digital future to empower societies’ and a commitment to support the government’s vision to enable digital transformation with a plethora of new innovative services backed with resilient connectivity.

“We will also work closely with DIFC on smart city initiatives to reduce the environmental footprint and deliver efficient public utilities.”

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