The General Authority for Regulating the Telecommunication Sector (TRA) and Dubai Smart City Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in all aspects related to mGovernment and Smart Cities in the country. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the fourth edition of the World Government Summit that was concluded on the 10^th of February in Dubai. The summit brought under its roof a multitude of international prominent thinkers, policy makers, and leaders. 

H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, UAE TRA Director General, and Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Dubai Smart City Office Director General signed the agreement. The MoU aims to enhance cooperation and exchange of experiences and information between the two parties, in addition to achieving optimum utilization of their efforts and investments. The MoU comes in the framework of accelerating the progress towards achieving the mGovernment and Smart Cities’ objectives, in addition to shaping policies, strategic plans, and the initiatives at a federal and local level in the UAE.

Commenting on this, H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansori, UAE TRA Director General, stated: “This agreement comes in the framework of the efforts exerted to strengthen the national collaborative efforts between various national and federal entities with the aim of fostering the comprehensive integration. The agreement also reflects both parties’ endeavor to cooperate in achieving the 2021 objectives. It also comes as a part of the immense efforts exerted by TRA to support the smart transformation and ICT development in the UAE.”

“The significance of this agreement is stemmed from its vital contribution to achieving the fourth World Government Summit’s objectives and its pivotal role in supporting the economic diversification and sustainable development.  I would like also to highlight that ICT in general and Smart Cities and IOT in specific are indispensable requirements for achieving these goals. Studies indicate that 54% of the world’s population lives in urban area, and expecting 64% by 2020. These numbers indicate the importance of proactive planning and boost our confidence in heading towards Smart Cities to cater to the present needs and gear up for a future full or growth and rapid developments” H.E. added.

Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr stated that: “The Smart Dubai Office is committed to embodying a culture of collaboration across local and Federal governments, as we work together for the future of the UAE. Our long-standing partnership with the TRA is strengthened by this memorandum of understanding in support of the Dubai Data Initiative and the smart city platform, and we look forward to further collaboration across all fields of shared expertise, towards the smart and sustainable future of Dubai and the UAE and the broader region.”