ABU DHABI // The President, Sheikh Khalifa, has announced details of a plan worth more than Dh300 billion to foster a knowledge economy and innovation, and prepare the UAE for a world after oil.
The Emirates Science, Technology and Innovation Higher Policy will include 100 initiatives with major investments in education, health, energy, transport, space and water.
It will include fields such as robotics, solar power, developing intellectual property, stem cell research and bio-technology.
“The UAE is working towards establishing a solid future for coming generations away from the fluctuation of energy prices and markets,” said Sheikh Khalifa. “The UAE has set its course for a post-oil world through investing in the development of our people in the fields of science and advanced technology.
“Creating sustainable wealth for the coming generation will depend on science, knowledge, technology and innovation. The policy adopted today is a turning point in our journey to develop the UAE economically and socially.”
Sheikh Khalifa made the announcement as part of national Innovation Week celebrations.
The funds will mostly go towards research and development, and tripling the number of people working in the knowledge economy by 2021.
Most of the funds will be focused on developing alternative energy, with Dh128bn allocated for investments in clean energy projects and another Dh72bn towards renewables.
Of the rest, Dh40bn will go to aviation research, Dh20bn to the nascent space industry, Dh31bn to enhancing research across science, and Dh12bn to establish innovation incubators and academic research centres.
“Legislative recommendations and clear financial investment is a strategic decision that aims to change the national economy equation to drive it away from depending on limited oil resources,” said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.
“Our aim, as my brother Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has said, ‘is to celebrate the last oil barrel we export because we will be prepared for that day when it comes’.”
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed said: “We don’t only seek to transfer knowledge, but also to instil it in our minds in a way that generates creative ideas and produces innovative solutions in the best interest and well-being of the nation and humanity at large.”
Among the projects are expansion of Masdar’s solar energy centre, developing solar storage and incubators for clean energy technology.
Masdar’s desalination programmes, innovations in cloud seeding and preserving water resources were others.
As part of Innovation Week, Abu Dhabi has launched 132 projects with local and international companies, including Google, which will hold programming events at Al Ittihad and Al Bateen schools on Sunday.
The “Mubtaker” Centre for Innovation will open at Raha Beach today and Masdar will launch an experimental desalination plant powered by renewable energy on Monday.
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Ultra processed foods
- Carbonated drinks, sweet or savoury packaged snacks, confectionery, mass-produced packaged breads and buns
- margarines and spreads; cookies, biscuits, pastries, cakes, and cake mixes, breakfast cereals, cereal and energy bars;
- energy drinks, milk drinks, fruit yoghurts and fruit drinks, cocoa drinks, meat and chicken extracts and instant sauces
- infant formulas and follow-on milks, health and slimming products such as powdered or fortified meal and dish substitutes,
- many ready-to-heat products including pre-prepared pies and pasta and pizza dishes, poultry and fish nuggets and sticks, sausages, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products, powdered and packaged instant soups, noodles and desserts.
F1 drivers' standings
1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes 281
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 247
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes 222
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull 177
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 138
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull 93
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 86
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 56
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
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Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Swiss fly direct from the UAE to Zurich from Dh2,855 return, including taxes.
The chalet
Chalet N is currently open in winter only, between now and April 21. During the ski season, starting on December 11, a week’s rental costs from €210,000 (Dh898,431) per week for the whole property, which has 22 beds in total, across six suites, three double rooms and a children’s suite. The price includes all scheduled meals, a week’s ski pass, Wi-Fi, parking, transfers between Munich, Innsbruck or Zurich airports and one 50-minute massage per person. Private ski lessons cost from €360 (Dh1,541) per day. Halal food is available on request.