The Emirates participates in "FIFA Tech 2026" To support the expansion of startups and strengthen their global partnerships

Paris, June 18, 2020: The UAE is participating in the FIFA Tech 2026 exhibition for entrepreneurship and advanced technology, which is being hosted by the French capital, Paris, from June 17 to 20, under the slogan “Artificial Intelligence: Influence, Not Illusion.” His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, headed the country’s delegation participating in the event.

The participation aims to enhance the UAE’s presence in the global innovation system, and consolidate its position as an attractive center for startups and investments in new economy sectors, in addition to supporting emerging, small and medium-sized Emirati companies and enabling them to expand and build international partnerships, and explore opportunities for cooperation in the fields of advanced technology and artificial intelligence.

His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri stressed that the UAE and the Republic of France are linked by strong economic relations and a solid strategic partnership that includes various vital sectors, while adopting a common vision that focuses on new sectors and the role of technology and artificial intelligence in building a sustainable future economy based on knowledge and innovation.

He said that the economic relations between the two countries are witnessing continuous growth, as the UAE today hosts 11,355 French companies that contribute to the economic diversification of the country and enhance opportunities and business in various economic activities that include tourism, technology, artificial intelligence, health, manufacturing, energy, defense, luxury, services and infrastructure.

He added that the UAE’s participation in the exhibition represents an opportunity to enhance the presence of Emirati companies in the global technology market, and open new channels of cooperation with investors, technology institutions and innovation pioneers, in a way that supports the consolidation of the country’s position as a global center for the new economy and entrepreneurship. He stressed the Ministry’s keenness to enable entrepreneurs to explore opportunities for expansion and growth, and to build qualitative partnerships that contribute to the transfer of technology and knowledge and enhance the competitiveness of national companies in international markets, in line with the objectives of the “We Are the Emirates 2031” vision.

His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq participated in a major dialogue session, within the activities of the FIFA Tech 2026 exhibition, entitled “The New Growth Guide,” which discussed the transformations that the global economy is witnessing in light of the accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, and the rise of new economic models based on innovation and advanced technology, with the participation of His Excellency Piyush Goyal, the Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, and His Excellency Bruno Le Maire, the former Minister of Economy, Finance, Industry and Digital Sovereignty in the French Republic.

During the session, His Excellency reviewed the UAE’s vision of building a flexible and competitive future economic model, based on diversifying sources of growth, enhancing a supportive environment for entrepreneurship, empowering emerging companies, and employing modern technologies as one of the main engines of sustainable economic growth, thus enhancing the country’s position as a global center for the new economy.

The delegation participating in the exhibition included representatives of about 20 business incubators and entities concerned with the development of entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises in the country, including the global technology system in Abu Dhabi “Hub71”, the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zones Authority “RAKZ”, the Sharjah Center for Entrepreneurship “Sheraa”, the Emirates Entrepreneurship Association, Masdar City, the United Arab Emirates University, and the Emirates Space Agency.

The list of participating Emirati startups, small and medium-sized companies included ten companies operating in a number of sectors of the new economy, most notably technology, modern financial services, food technology, advanced agricultural solutions, and sustainable infrastructure.

The participating Emirati companies showcased advanced innovative services that reflect the diversity of the technical sectors in the country, as they included digital solutions to connect startups with investors, facilitate and automate financing, financial services for companies, point of sale and payment platforms supported by artificial intelligence for the retail and restaurant sectors, and smart solutions to customize banking services and enhance the customer experience.

The Emirati products, solutions and services displayed also included integrated platforms for managing digital supply chains for food and sustainable trade, platforms to support companies’ expansion and entry into new markets, advanced software applications and integrated digital solutions, and sustainable agricultural technologies represented by innovative irrigation systems that operate without electricity, in addition to advanced artificial intelligence solutions for the real estate and infrastructure sector, which enhances the efficiency of operations, supports business growth and accelerates its expansion in global markets.

The delegation’s visit also included organizing an economic event on the sidelines of the exhibition, in cooperation with the UAE Embassy in the French Republic, with the aim of bringing together emerging Emirati companies with French and international investors and companies, to enhance communication, build economic partnerships, and open new horizons for cooperation between the two sides during the next stage.

The “Viva Tech” exhibition is one of the most prominent global events specialized in technology and emerging companies. It has become an international platform that brings together technology leaders, investors and decision-makers from different countries of the world.

This is the tenth edition of the exhibition, as this year celebrates a decade since its launch in 2016, and today it attracts about 180,000 visitors, more than 14,000 startup companies, and 3,600 investors from more than 40 countries.

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism’s participation in this edition for the third time in a row comes as part of its efforts to support the growth of Emirati startups and enhance their presence on international platforms.

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