Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the governing body for Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), reported on Tuesday that DSOA recorded an impressive performance in 2020, with a cumulative revenue of Dhs544.7 million, a 2.7% increase over 2019.

Sheikh Ahmed emphasized that the inclusion of the interconnected free zone technology park as one of the five urban centers –research, technology, and information hub that drives creativity, digital economy growth, and talent creation – as part of the larger Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan demonstrates the park's global position as evidence of concept for digital industries of the future.

He said that this declaration demonstrates DSOA's efforts to implement cutting-edge technologies in new industries, following the government's guidelines to promote the knowledge-based economy and advantage from the current Fourth Industrial Revolution applications. He emphasized that DSO welcomed 1,731 new companies in 2020, bringing the total number of companies listed at the free zone technology park by the end of 2020 to 4,936, a 54% rise from 2019.

Sheikh Ahmed said that these results reflect DSOA's development in numerous sectors, most notably technology. He said that the measures and policies put in place in the UAE underneath the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, lay the groundwork for the world's quickest recovery from COVID-19 and the creation of a prosperous future in Dubai.

He emphasized that to strengthen Dubai's status as a pioneering hub for attracting foreign direct investments, DSO keeps up with creativity and encourages entrepreneurship through strategic measures. He said that such accomplishments strengthen regional and global companies' trust in Dubai's status as a pioneering center for investment in technology, R&D, and Fourth Industrial Revolution solutions.

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Vice Chairman and CEO of DSOA, emphasized the vital role that DSOA will serve as an artificial womb for creativity and expertise, in line with Dubai's journey to becoming the world's smartest and happiest city to live in, and a key player in attracting international investments. He mentioned that the total amount of major projects completed in DSO in 2020 would be Dhs4 billion.

Al Zarooni said that Dubai Silicon Oasis adds to Dubai's economic growth by providing distinguished facilities and an investment climate for new businesses. He also appreciated DSOA's attempts to recruit fresh talent and provide entrepreneurs with all of the resources they need to start and develop their businesses.

He said that new technologies in Dubai Silicon Oasis, whether in advanced technology education or smart healthcare facilities, lead to knowledge sharing and empower creativity by promoting research and growth.

DSOA unveiled its Dhs1.5 billion Dubai Digital Park (DDP) initiative, which spans 150,000 square meters. At its inception, many multinational corporations have selected DDP as their ideal location for their headquarters and operations. DDP was able to achieve 80% occupancy figures for its workspaces and boutique buildings.

The smart solution-enabled population includes 47,000 square meters of office space, 17,000 square meters of retail space, 235 smart residential apartments, and over 5,000 square meters of ready-to-use and plug-and-play workplaces. A 112-key Radisson RED hotel and 59 fully furnished residences are among the value-added sophisticated lifestyle amenities. DDP also features a conference hub with a capacity of 500 people, hotels, cafés, health clubs, running tracks, and walking facilities, a shopping area, and an underground parking lot with a capacity of over 2,000 vehicles.

DDP offers 60 smart city services through an integrated and stable network that efficiently combines corporate operating criteria with the needs of staff, customers, and visitors. The smart services, which will cost Dhs100 million, will encourage smart city projects that are in line with Dubai's goal of being the world's smartest and happiest city.

DSO has 900 startups. The Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (Dtec) is committed to delivering specialized facilities to startups and entrepreneurs focused on creating creative technologies for smart cities, such as addressing pollution and ensuring efficient waste management and energy conservation, to encourage and recruit technology-focused startups, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Dtec, DSOA's wholly-owned technology coworking space and the largest of its kind in the Mena region, is now home to over 900 startups from 72 nations, representing a 7% increase over 2019. Several of these firms are working on blockchain and AI innovations.

Since its establishment, Dtec has drawn approximately 1,500 startups, generated over 3,500 jobs, and funded an inflow of nearly Dhs500 million into the UAE economy. The hub extended its facilities by many as 60,000 square feet over the next three years that would provide additional accommodation for almost 800 startups, increasing its total size to even more than 108,000 square feet.

Fakeeh University Hospital at Dubai Silicon Oasis, the UAE's first-of-its-kind digital university hospital, opened last year. The one-million-square-foot smart hospital costs Dhs1.5 billion and combines advanced AI-robotic technologies and medical knowledge and skills to propel the industry forward.

The hospital collaborated with global technology companies such as Siemens, Philips, and Cisco to create groundbreaking technologies whose proof of concepts and implementations in the healthcare sector would solidify its status as Dubai's first genuinely smart hospital of the future.

The 350-bed smart hospital offers primary, secondary, and tertiary services from top medical professionals in 55 specialties. Its systems, which are installed with cutting-edge technologies, are designed to serve an estimated 700,000 patients each year, serving the public throughout the UAE and across the country.