Intel’s Chairman Dr. Craig Barrett joined Ahmad Bin Byat – Director General of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone (TECOM), HE Mohamed Al-Ghanem, Director General of the UAE Telecom Regulatory Authority, and Abdullatif Al Mulla, CEO of TECOM Investments, to open Intel’s Innovation Center at Intel’s office in Dubai Internet City (DIC) today.  

“Innovation is one of the key value creators and growth drivers in the ICT industry,” said Jamal Abdulsalam, Executive Director of Dubai Internet City. “Innovation is no longer a matter of choice. Higher customer expectations, the need for product flexibility and changing market dynamics have led to an increasing demand for more innovative technology solutions and products tailored to the local market,"  “As the region’s ICT hub, Dubai Internet City is keen to foster the development of innovation. We are confident that developments such as the Intel Innovation Centre will promote the local entrepreneurial spirit and spur ICT growth,” he added.

The Dubai based Center will focus on themes aligned to expertise and opportunities found in the region.  It will serve many purposes, including becoming a catalyst of disruptive technology development at Intel and a venue for promoting industry initiatives and showcasing technology solutions. It will also be resource for Dubai companies, as well as becoming an environment to conduct innovative training and seminars.  

Following the launch of Intel’s Energy Competency Center in Abu Dhabi in 2002, which combines Intel's recognized technology and industry leadership with the advanced oil and gas technical capabilities of this region, Intel’s Innovation Center in Dubai Internet City will complement this development and will focus on demonstrating the benefits of technologies in a number of areas, including Digital Health, Digital Education, Digital Cities, Digital Home, Digital Enterprise and IT Research.

The Intel Innovation Center is a component of Intel’s Digital Transformation Initiative for the Middle East, a comprehensive, multi-year program designed to develop a more competitive IT workforce capable of driving innovation and economic growth in the region.  The program is designed to build on already significant IT activities in the region and increase the company’s investment in four key areas: local entrepreneurship; education; digital accessibility; and specialized technical competencies.