Latest news with #OhoodAlRoumi
Khaleej Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
10-year-old entrepreneur among startup founders at 'UAE Future 50' initiative
Fifty informative stands showcased Emirati-founded startups at the Boulevard, Emirates Towers, during the launch of the 'UAE Future 50' initiative held on Wednesday. These startups, all founded by Emiratis, are part of a new national initiative aimed at shaping the UAE's future economy through innovation and technology. The selected companies span 15 strategic sectors ranging from fintech and agtech to space, cybersecurity, and creative industries, all of which are expected to play a critical role in the transformation to a knowledge-based economy. The list also features startups in clean tech, legal tech, food tech, health tech, HR tech, smart mobility, sustainability, and the sharing economy. "We are not only celebrating their entrepreneurial achievements but also contributing to preparing the UAE's economy for the future by supporting local talent in strategic sectors," said Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, during a panel discussion. Among the standout entrepreneurs was 10-year-old Al Dhabi Al Mheiri, the youngest on the list. A Generation Alpha founder, she created Rainbow Chimney, a platform that empowers children through storytelling and publishing. 26 per cent of the startups were founded by Emirati women Al Roumi emphasized the government's commitment to nurturing startups and expanding the role of women in entrepreneurship. "In this first edition, 26 per cent of the startups were founded by Emirati women. We hope to see that number reach 50 per cent in future editions," she noted. "What we hope to see is that among these 50 Emirati startups, there will be billion-dirham companies of tomorrow." She added that future-readiness is an ongoing process. "Our bet is on our youth, who will carry this nation forward." The new initiative builds on the momentum of the 100 Future Companies program launched in 2023 by the Ministry of Economy in partnership with the Government Development and the Future Office. That program identified and supported UAE-based companies leading in future-focused sectors. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Nada Al Mheiri, Creative Marketing Executive at the Government Development and Future Office, explained the selection process behind the UAE Future 50. "We wanted to highlight companies that can shape the future of the UAE while inspiring the next generation of Emirati entrepreneurs," she said. "These startups represent the UAE's economic direction and how we are preparing for the years ahead," Al Mheiri added.
Arabian Business
27-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
UAE tops global digital dovernment rankings: Report
The UAE has secured first place in three global telecommunications and digital government indices, according to the second edition of the State of Digital Transformation Report released by the UAE's Higher Committee for Government Digital Transformation during the Digital Readiness Retreat. The country ranked first globally in the UN indices for telecommunications infrastructure, institutional framework for digital government, and digital content. It also topped the digital knowledge index. Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future in the UAE Government and Chair of the Committee, said digital readiness and transformation are central to the UAE leadership's vision, aiming to eliminate bureaucracy and enhance quality of life through technology, according to a statement by the Emirates News Agency (WAM). UAE leads world in telecommunications infrastructure rankings Al Roumi noted that the report tracks digital achievements over the past year, showcasing the UAE's leadership in global competitiveness indices related to digital governance. She said it is intended to motivate further efforts to meet national digital goals. The UAE also topped the 'Government AI Readiness Index 2024' by Oxford Insights, ranked third in government service delivery, and placed fourth in the GovTech Maturity Index according to the World Bank. The country came 11 th in both the IMD's Digital Competitiveness Index and the UN E-Government Development Index. Digital government efforts delivered savings of AED368 billion for users and AED20 billion in government cost reductions. The transformation saved 530 million labour hours and cut carbon emissions by 55.8 million tonnes. The report highlights the UAE government's digital achievements across 12 sectors: economy, finance, human resources, health, education, community development, culture and youth, immigration and foreign affairs, security and justice, infrastructure and energy, logistics, and environment. In 2024, UAE federal government entities processed 173.7 million digital transactions. Federal websites attracted 131.5 million visits, and government apps were downloaded 26.3 million times. The government now offers 1,419 digital services, including 195 classified as priority services. Digital services achieved a satisfaction rate of 91 per cent, with more than 57 million users benefiting. There are currently 460 digital transformation projects running across federal agencies. UAE pass serves 10.8 million users as country achieves top global digital government rankings The UAE Pass digital identity system serves 10.8 million users and connects to 15,000 services, supporting 2.6 billion integrated digital transactions. The economic sector completed 5.2 million tax transactions digitally, alongside 316,800 certificates of origin and 64,100 trademark registration and renewal requests. The finance sector processed 8,300 vendor registrations, 2,500 financial market employee accreditations, and 1,000 foreign investment fund renewals. The sector handled 13.2 million work permit applications and 8 million employment contract transactions. The 'Jahiz' digital learning platform delivered 1.2 million training hours. Healthcare services filled 2 million prescriptions using robotic pharmacies and conducted 1 million chest X-rays using artificial intelligence. Medical professionals held 437,900 remote consultations. The education sector delivered digital learning to 1.4 million individuals and processed 445,700 university course registrations. Community services answered 115,600 digital inquiries and completed 243,800 zakat and donation transactions, as well as 125,700 digital requests for fatwas and zakat calculations. The justice and security sector processed 4.2 million traffic fine payments, 1.5 million vehicle registrations, and 417,800 criminal record certificate applications digitally. The identity and residency sector handled 4.7 million Emirates ID renewals, 1.6 million private sector residency permit renewals, and 596,200 digital document attestations. Infrastructure and logistics services completed 5,900 housing assistance requests, issued 68,500 national transport permits, and granted 3,000 nuclear activity licenses. Environmental authorities processed 76,600 plant health certificates, 39,600 veterinary export certificates, and 59,900 agricultural product clearance transactions. The culture sector issued 2,400 library memberships, registered 368 cultural artefacts, and fulfilled 162 event space rental requests.
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE ranks first globally in telecom infrastructure, digital government framework, digital content
DUBAI - The UAE has secured the top global ranking in the telecommunications infrastructure index, the institutional framework for digital government, and the digital content index, according to the second edition of the 'State of Digital Transformation Report'. The report was released by the UAE's Higher Committee for Government Digital Transformation during the recent Digital Readiness Retreat. The report highlights the UAE government's digital achievements across 12 key sectors, including the economy, finance, human resources, health, education, community development, culture and youth, immigration and foreign affairs, security and justice, infrastructure and energy, logistics, and the environment. Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future in the UAE Government and Chair of the Committee, said digital readiness and transformation are central to the UAE leadership's vision, aiming to eliminate bureaucracy and enhance quality of life through technology. She noted the report tracks major digital achievements over the past year, showcasing the UAE's leadership in global competitiveness indices related to digital governance. It is intended to motivate further efforts to meet national digital goals. The report notes that the UAE ranked first globally in the UN indices for telecommunications infrastructure, digital government framework, digital content, and digital knowledge. It also topped the global 'Government AI Readiness Index 2024' by Oxford Insights, ranked third in government service delivery, and placed fourth in GovTech Maturity Index according to the World Bank. The country came in 11th in both the IMD's Digital Competitiveness Index and the UN E-Government Development Index. Digital government efforts resulted in significant efficiency gains, including AED368 billion saved for users and AED20 billion in government cost reductions. The transformation also saved 530 million labour hours and cut carbon emissions by 55.8 million tonnes. In 2024 alone, UAE federal government entities processed 173.7 million digital transactions. Federal websites attracted 131.5 million visits, and government apps were downloaded 26.3 million times. A total of 1,419 digital services are now offered, including 195 classified as priority. The satisfaction rate for digital services reached 91 percent, with more than 57 million users benefiting. There are currently 460 active digital transformation projects across federal agencies. In the digital government sector, 10.8 million individuals used the UAE Pass, which now connects to 15,000 services and supports 2.6 billion integrated digital transactions. In the economic sector, 5.2 million tax transactions were completed digitally, alongside 316,800 certificates of origin and 64,100 trademark registration and renewal requests. The finance sector processed 8,300 vendor registrations, 2,500 financial market employee accreditations, and 1,000 foreign investment fund renewals. Human resources saw 13.2 million work permit applications and 8 million employment contract transactions, with 1.2 million training hours delivered through the 'Jahiz' digital learning platform. In health, 2 million prescriptions were filled using robotic pharmacies, 1 million chest X-rays were conducted using artificial intelligence, and 437,900 remote medical consultations were held. The education sector delivered digital learning to 1.4 million individuals and processed 445,700 university course registrations. Community services answered 115,600 digital inquiries and completed 243,800 zakat and donation transactions, as well as 125,700 digital requests for fatwas and zakat calculations. In justice and security, 4.2 million traffic fine payments, 1.5 million vehicle registrations, and 417,800 criminal record certificate applications were processed digitally. The identity and residency sector handled 4.7 million Emirates ID renewals, 1.6 million private sector residency permit renewals, and 596,200 digital document attestations. Infrastructure and logistics services completed 5,900 housing assistance requests, issued 68,500 national transport permits, and granted 3,000 nuclear activity licenses. In the environmental sector, authorities processed 76,600 plant health certificates, 39,600 veterinary export certificates, and 59,900 agricultural product clearance transactions. In the culture sector, 2,400 library memberships were issued, 368 cultural artifacts were registered, and 162 event space rental requests were fulfilled.
Zawya
20-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Arab Government Sustainability Fellowship celebrates graduation of its first cohort
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – The Arab Government Sustainability Fellowship, the region's first-of-its-kind initiative to empower public sector leaders in sustainability, has celebrated the graduation of its inaugural cohort. Organized by the UAE Government Development & Future Office, in collaboration with the Arab Administrative Development Organization (ARADO), one of the League of Arab States organizations, and the Posterity Institute, this milestone marks a significant step in ongoing Arab efforts to strengthen environmental governance. Supported by PepsiCo, the Fellowship brought together 45 government officials from across the Arab region. Through intensive training and discussions with leading regional and international experts, participants were equipped with practical tools to drive sustainable transformation in the public sector. Ohood Al Roumi: Sustainability is at the Core of Future Governance H.E. Ohood Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, said: 'Sustainability is at the core of future governance – it is key to preparing governments and societies for the rapid changes the region and the world will face in the coming years and decades across all areas of human activity. 'The Arab Government Sustainability Fellowship shows the UAE Government's commitment to driving joint Arab action, as well as starting a new chapter where regional governments take the lead on sustainability, with clear goals and real results. Equipping government talent with future skills enables them to respond to today's challenges, adapt to tomorrow's changes, and create promising opportunities for future generations.' Nasser Al-Qahtani: Supporting Institutional Change and Building an Innovation-Driven Future H.E. Dr. Nasser Alqahtani, Director General, Arab Administrative Development Organization, League of Arab States, said: 'Sustainability requires collaboration across borders, sectors, and generations. Through this Fellowship, ARADO proudly supports the transformation of our region's government institutions, building a shared future rooted in innovation, resilience, and impact.' Turning Point for Public Sector Sustainability 'This fellowship marks a turning point in how our region approaches sustainability in the public sector,' said Dr. Yasar Jarrar, Managing Director of the Posterity Institute. 'Through the Irth Institute, we are building a new generation of government leaders who are equipped not just to respond to today's climate and policy challenges but to shape a more sustainable, inclusive socio-economic future for the Arab world. True resilience will come from the ability of our institutions to embed sustainability into the core of economic planning, governance, and social progress.' Skills and Partnerships for a Sustainable Future Wael Ismail, PepsiCo Vice President for Corporate Affairs in Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan, said: 'Climate change is already impacting our region in real ways, and tackling it requires governments and businesses to work side by side. This fellowship is a strong step toward building the skills and partnerships we need for a more sustainable future. As a knowledge partner, PepsiCo is proud to contribute insights from decades of work in agriculture, youth empowerment, and community development across the Middle East.' Arab Government Sustainability Fellowship The Arab Government Sustainability Fellowship is a flagship initiative led by the Irth Institute to empower a new generation of public sector leaders across the Arab World. Designed by the region, for the region, the Fellowship equips government professionals with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to drive sustainable transformation in their institutions and communities.
