UAE considers technology for enduring growth

Shaikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade has said that UAE considers technology an important ingredient for enduring growth. ‘We are in fact in the midst of transitioning the country into a digital, knowledge-based society that relies heavily on innovation to fulfill its development goals, ‘ she said while attending the ‘Launching of Tejari Solutions’, here today. Shaikha Lubna inaugurated the new office of Tejari at the Dubai Media City in the presence of high ranking officials from Dubai World, DP World, government departments and government related enterprises. Shaikha Lubna Al Qasmi was the first CEO of Tejari in June 2000. Since then it has grown to a team of over 500 Professionals from 34 countries, speaking 40 languages serving over 400 clients. Its software suite used by 40,000 procurement professionals in 60 countries. It operates out of 13 offices located in 10 countries across three continents. The online company provides effective support to a rising portfolio of global and local organisations operating in the region. The main focus area of the company is to help organisations transform their procurement and supply with best in class technologies and world class professional services. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman DP World,said, ‘This is a major landmark in our growth and we are delighted that Sheikha Lubna Al Qasmi, the first CEO of this initiative, is here with us to mark this occasion.’ Tejari is a jointly owned venture by TejariWorld and BravoSolution. In her speech on the occasion she said that world has taken strong notice of our efforts to bridge the technology divide. Last year the World Intellectual Property Organisation affirmed that the UAE is ahead of many other Arab states in terms of intellectual, scientific and technological innovations. In fact, we have been named among the Top 10 Innovation Driven Economies’ of the world in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report. INSEAD, the global business school, has also ranked us as one of only two Arab states among the top 40 innovating countries in the world. In its first-ever ‘Global Innovation Barometer’ report, GE affirmed as well that the UAE’s business leaders are committed to fostering innovation as a catalyst for a greener national economy and better quality of life. These achievements validate our commitment to technology-empowered progress and mirror the high importance of technology innovation in modernizing business and governments across the Middle East. ‘Tejari has played a historic role in bringing in the latest technologies to accelerate local and regional business growth, particularly in the e-commerce domain. When I was asked by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to head this enterprise 12 years ago I did not imagine that it would grow so quickly to become the region’s premier business-to-business marketplace and have such a pervasive influence on Arab commerce,’ Shekiha Lubna confirmed. ‘I am thus very proud to say that Tejari once again lives up to its innovative legacy via its latest offering, Tejari Solutions with RravoSolution.’ This new business provides a comprehensive line of products, analytics and full technical support reflecting Tejari’s ongoing efforts to raise efficiencies and transparency in doing business over the web. It is important that we continue to advocate technological growth in our country and throughout the Arab World. Through the efforts of innovators such as Tejari, the UAE will continue to be looked up to as a model of technological excellence for many more years to come. I appreciate your full support for today’s launch and look forward to more achievements from Tejari and the UAE in the technology front, she added.