World’s first ‘Russian Center for Digital Innovations and ICT’ finds home in Dubai Internet City

By Aliheydar_Rzayev Thursday, 18 October 2018 12:44 PM

World’s first ‘Russian Center for Digital Innovations and ICT’ finds home in Dubai Internet City

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Dubai Internet City (DIC), the leading technology community in the region, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Russian Export Center (REC) to launch the first Russian Center for Digital Innovations and Information and Communication Technologies outside of Russia in Dubai. This center, which will encompass of a space of over 20,000 sq. ft. within DIC, is the first of four global centers, and the first-ever commitment to investment promotion of this scale by Russia abroad. 

The MoU was signed by Ammar Al Malik, Managing Director, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource City and Marat Korovaev, Head of IT Export Support Department, Russian Export Center during GITEX Technology Week 2018, in the presence of Malek Al Malek, CEO of TECOM Group; Saleh Al Aroud, Chairman of the Russian Business Council in Dubai and the Northern Emirates and prominent Russian dignitaries including Oleg Fomin - Consul General of the Russian Federation in UAE amongst others, and Muhammad Shiha CEO of Russian Center for Digital Innovations and ICT, and the Executive Director of the Russian Business Council in Dubai & Northern Emirates.

The opening of the centre comes at a time when the UAE and Russia enjoy heightened trade relationships and a reported growth in bilateral trade between the countries to $1.2 billion in 2017. Leaders of both nations are committed to deepen their economic relationship, following a two-day visit by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces to Russia, during which he met with President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations, discussed cooperation, and signed a new strategic partnership earlier this year. 

Commenting on the MoU, Ammar Al Malik, Managing Director, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource City said, “The UAE and Russia have shared close business ties for decades, and for DIC to be chosen as the first overseas destination by REC is a true testament to Dubai’s key position as a global business destination. As the largest hub and leading community of technology innovators in the region, DIC is supporting in translating the Dubai Strategy for Innovation into action. The Russian Center for Digital Innovations and ICT in UAE, along with other innovation centers and labs that DIC is home to, will serve as a catalyst for this vision.”

Marat Korovaev, Head of IT Export Support Department, REC said, “Dubai’s vision, plans and efforts to becoming the smartest city in the world are second to none, and we believe that the Russian IT industry can contribute significantly to the achievement of this vision. Long-standing bilateral ties, favourable and simplified business processes, and a nurturing environment that promotes ideation and exchange of knowledge and best practices, are key factors that impelled us to choose Dubai and DIC as the first destination for our four planned centers outside Russia. 83% of our customers are SMEs and DIC’s holistic approach to supporting its business partners, from start-ups to well-established enterprises, was another factor that influenced our decision.”

In addition to opening the center, the Russian Export Centre and DIC will jointly work to support Russia and UAE based technology companies of all sizes, including start-ups and entrepreneurs and further support DIC’s commitment to provide a thriving and nurturing ecosystem for companies to thrive in.

GITEX Technology Week is one of the most influential technology exhibitions worldwide, attracting a diverse audience of IT professionals, enthusiasts, students, consumers and traders. The 2018 edition of the event will run from 14 to 18 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre.