Dubai South and Trade and Investment Queensland sign strategic SOI

Dubai South inks deal with Queensland businesses to provide Smart City initiatives

Dubai, UAE, October 4, 2016:  In its quest to raise the bar and build a world-class roadmap for smart cities globally, Dubai South today inked a strategic Statement of Intent (SOI) with the Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ). 

Signed by His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South and Jackie Trad, Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment, Queensland, the deal will help Queensland companies gain a foothold in the region and offer unique global market access. In turn Queensland businesses will provide Dubai South and the UAE with Smart City initiatives, such as digital innovation, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and robotics, health technology and medical devices as well as spatial technologies. 

His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South said: “As we continue to strengthen Dubai South’s position as a leading multi-modal economic platform, it is of critical importance that we establish and maintain strong collaborations with key institutions and government bodies, which are spurring growth and development globally. Towards this end, the SOI between Dubai South and the Queensland Government marks a strategic partnership that promises to present vast mutual opportunities in key areas of Smart City investment and development.” 

The agreement is a key component in Dubai South’s quest to exponentially enhance the quality of life and support the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai as laid out in the Dubai Plan 2021. 

Jackie Trad, Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment, Queensland said: “Dubai South is fast becoming a beacon of innovation and world-class technological development. I am delighted to say that many Queensland businesses are already in negotiations to provide Smart City technology to Dubai South. This SOI will open new opportunities for Queensland businesses to commercialise, collaborate and develop their products and services in the UAE and the wider Middle East.”

“Queensland has been identified as the most entrepreneurial state in Australia.  This is supported by our reputation for world-leading research and unique strengths in areas of life sciences and medtech, agriculture, mining, aviation and software,” she added.  

The agreement, which will be jointly funded by TIQ and Advance Queensland under the Global Partnerships Program, aims to support collaboration between Queensland and the UAE by opening opportunities for Queensland businesses, researchers, investors and entrepreneurs to learn from their overseas successes. The Queensland Government will invest over AED 500,000 a year for two years to support Queensland businesses to refine their global Smart City innovations under this SOI.