"Abu Dhabi Economy" It showcases the emirate’s pioneering role in leading the future of smart mobility
ABU DHABI, November 10, 2017 (WAM) – His Excellency Ahmed Jassim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi, confirmed that the emirate has established its position as a global center for smart mobility, supported by its proactive approach, its flexible policies, its business support system, and its innovative initiatives such as the Smart and Self-Driving Vehicles Industry Complex (SAVI).
This came during His Excellency’s participation in a dialogue session on “Foreseeing the Future of Autonomous Technologies: Investment, Integration, and Innovation” at the opening of the first session of “Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Week” 2025, which kicked off today at Yas Marina Circuit, where His Excellency reviewed the distinctive components that Abu Dhabi enjoys, including the advanced infrastructure, the integration of strategic policies, and partnerships between the public and private sectors, in supporting the process of transforming the emirate into a leading center for smart and autonomous technologies.
His Excellency emphasized the pivotal role of the Intelligent Self-Mobility Systems Council, headed by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office for Special Affairs, in enhancing efforts to facilitate the establishment of emerging companies specialized in the smart mobility sector, and simplifying and unifying the requirements for implementing operational trials for self-propelled systems in accordance with the highest standards of security and safety.
He said that Abu Dhabi is focusing on employing advanced technologies in order to drive economic diversification and enhance competitiveness, and over the past few years, the emirate has confirmed its distinguished position among the most diversified and flexible economies in the region, as the non-oil sectors recorded an annual growth rate exceeding 6.6%, raising their contribution to about 57% of the gross domestic product.
He stated that the “Falcon Economy” is leading this strong and continuous growth in various sectors, with a focus on enhancing competitiveness, innovation and sustainability, pointing out that smart and self-driving industries represent an important engine for providing more job opportunities, business and global partnerships.
He explained that the Smart and Self-Driving Industries Complex (SAVI) aims to provide 40,000 new jobs and contribute 44 billion dirhams to the gross domestic product by 2045, as it combines research, development, testing, licensing and manufacturing in an integrated innovation system.
He pointed out that the complex has established three specialized testing areas, including the air testing area in Nibras Al Ain, the land testing area on Yas Island, and the marine testing area in the Musaffah area, which constitute a suitable environment for developing smart mobility solutions from prototypes to practical applications.
His Excellency Al Zaabi stressed that the model of partnerships between the public and private sectors in Abu Dhabi is an essential pillar for supporting the ambitions of the private sector by enabling it to benefit from the potential offered by the emirate. It also contributes to better risk management, accelerating the transformation of ideas into products and services, and transforming emerging technologies into engines of growth, flexibility and economic diversification.
He said that Abu Dhabi, which is classified among the most prominent smart cities, continues to consolidate its position as a leading international center for advanced industries and technologies, and to build global centers in the fields of financial services, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and new energy.
He pointed out that, as part of the emirate’s initiatives to employ advanced technologies in order to meet the urgent requirements of the global economy, it launched specialized economic complexes such as the Smart and Self-Driving Vehicles Industry Complex “SAVI” in 2023, the Food and Water Abundance Development Complex “AGWA” in 2024, and the Health, Medicine and Fitness for Sustainable Living Complex “HELM” in 2025.
His Excellency Al Zaabi said: We are working to employ advanced technologies with the aim of meeting the urgent requirements in the world, and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a rising economic power and a global center attracting talent and entrepreneurship in future industries in order to build a better tomorrow.
Abu Dhabi was able to achieve remarkable progress in smart and autonomous systems, such as tests of electric helicopters with Archer Aviation, test flights of a self-driving electric helicopter to transport passengers with Ehang, and conducting the first test flight to deliver express parcels using drones in Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with LOAD and 7X, which represents a qualitative shift in the logistics services sector in the emirate.
During Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Week, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office will sign 13 new agreements with global partners to launch pilot projects in the fields of air, land and sea mobility.
Global companies such as Gredge Surf, Regent, Joby, Archer and Ehang are collaborating with local partners to enhance manufacturing capabilities, electric vehicle systems and sustainable energy charging infrastructure.
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