Date: 20-05-2025
Dubai
The Arab Federation for Digital Economy announced the signing of a strategic partnership with the People’s Republic of China. This partnership aims to support the implementation of projects and initiatives of the Arab Digital Economy Vision, which was approved at the Arab Leaders Summit in Algeria in 2022 and is supported by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. This step comes within the framework of the Federation’s efforts to build an integrated Arab digital system based on knowledge and modern technology, and to open new horizons for international cooperation in the field of advanced digital economy.
The partnership aims to support digital transformation efforts in the Arab region by developing joint projects and initiatives in the fields of artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things, smart cities, and digital solutions for vital sectors. The agreement also follows extensive consultations conducted by the Federation with a group of major Chinese companies and technology institutions to ensure the sustainability of the projects and their responsiveness to the needs of Arab markets.
The Union emphasized that this agreement is not limited to a bilateral partnership between the two parties, but rather represents a strategic step toward building a regional model for digital industrial and commercial cooperation that supports Arab integration in the fields of smart industrial production, advanced manufacturing, and industrial value chains.
The agreement includes the launch of joint industrial and commercial projects, along with training and qualification programs aimed at empowering Arab youth with the technical and cognitive skills required in the new industrial labor market. This will contribute to raising the level of readiness of Arab societies for the requirements of the digital economy and productive transformation.
The United Arab Emirates is a central launching point for these projects, thanks to its advanced digital infrastructure, flexible legislative environment, and leading role as a regional center for technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Through this partnership, the Union seeks to localize Chinese technology in the Arab environment and stimulate the development of local digital solutions that align with the needs and development aspirations of Arab countries.
In this context, His Excellency Dr. Ali Mohammed Al Khouri, Advisor to the Council of Arab Economic Unity and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, explained that this partnership reflects the Federation’s commitment to advancing the Arab digital economy through effective international alliances focused on knowledge transfer and encouraging joint investments. He noted that the UAE will serve as a platform for innovation and experimentation and a launching pad for expanding the scope of benefits to other Arab countries.
His Excellency added that cooperation with China represents a qualitative shift in the path of Arab digital integration, as it combines China’s significant industrial and technological capabilities with the Federation’s vision to build an Arab digital economy capable of competition and innovation. He also emphasized that this step will result in realistic economic projects that contribute to job creation, support economic growth, and establish an Arab base for an advanced digital industry. He noted that the initiative represents a practical model for activating international relations to serve sustainable development in the Arab world.
