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UAE, Cisco to extend partnership program for three years

Published

5 years ago

October 20, 2021

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The United Arab Emirates and Cisco, the US computer networking company, are expanding their partnership for further three years to work on hybrid workspaces, online security, and to create an innovation ecosystem.

The UAE and Cisco partnered under a three-year program in 2018. In the first phase, digitalization, promotion of a smart government, tourism and trade and improvement of efficiency across the health, energy and logistics sectors were accelerated.

Cisco’s global innovation officer Dr Guy Diedrich said that under the partnership, the company’s country digital acceleration (CDA) program will help governments apply artificial intelligence and machine learning to meet the country’s challenges.

Diedrich said, after successful completion of the first round in all the areas, both sides have signed up for another phase of the three-year program. The UAE’s innovation ecosystem is growing rapidly, he added.

Diedrich pointed out that the coronavirus pandemic has sped up the adoption of new technologies, making the digital divide very evident.

According to an International Telecommunication Union report, the internet penetration rate is 87 percent in the developed world, and only 47 percent in developing countries, while this ratio is just 19 percent in the least developed countries.

Hailing the UAE government’s vision, Diedrich said, the country timely understood that it may have one of the most advanced digital societies in the world.

During the pandemic, Dubai’s Happiness Agenda, found that the city was well equipped for remote working and was able to shift rapidly out of the office. This connectedness helped the country avoid any reduction in services offered to residents and visitors, the Agenda found.

Diedrich said that if 40 percent of the population are connected, they would be able to lift 500 million people out of poverty and add $6.7 trillion to global GDP.

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Salik’s next move: Smart parking coming to Dubai Silicon Oasis, DAFZ and Dubai CommerCity

Published

15 hours ago

July 17, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Salik is taking another step beyond toll collection, announcing plans to introduce smart parking and vehicle access systems across three of Dubai’s major economic zones.

Under a new agreement with the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), the company will explore parking optimisation and access control solutions covering more than 21,000 parking spaces at Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ), Dubai Silicon Oasis and Dubai CommerCity.

The proposed systems are designed to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, prevent misuse of parking spaces and make it easier for businesses, employees and visitors to move around the free zones.

The partnership marks the launch of a new business vertical for Salik as it continues expanding beyond its traditional road toll operations into wider mobility and digital transport services.

What will change?

The companies plan to integrate their technology platforms to create a connected parking and vehicle access system across the three zones.

Planned features include:

Smart parking management
Automated vehicle access control
Improved traffic flow within free zones
Better use of available parking spaces
Unified operating standards across all three locations

Which areas are covered?

The project will span:

Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ)
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Dubai CommerCity

Together, the three locations offer more than 21,000 parking spaces serving businesses, residents, investors and visitors.

No timeline has yet been announced for when the new systems will be rolled out.

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New UAE rule: Emirates ID renewal now allowed one year before expiry

Published

15 hours ago

July 17, 2026

Michael Gomes

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The UAE has doubled the early renewal period for Emirates ID cards, allowing renewals up to 12 months before expiry under a new decision by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP). Effective July 14, the change applies to UAE nationals for now.

Renew passport and Emirates ID together

The extended renewal window means citizens whose passport and Emirates ID expire around the same time can now renew both documents in a single transaction, reducing paperwork and saving time.

ICP said the initiative forms part of its strategy to simplify government services, improve customer experience and provide greater flexibility through digital services.

Supporting zero government bureaucracy

Major General Suhail Saeed Al Khaili, Director General of ICP, said the decision reflects the UAE’s commitment to delivering proactive government services while giving citizens more flexibility to complete transactions at a time that suits them.

He added that the initiative supports the UAE’s Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme by reducing procedural steps, improving service integration and using advanced digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, to streamline the customer journey.

The authority said the new policy is part of its wider effort to deliver integrated, digital-first government services while strengthening the UAE’s position as a global leader in identity and public service innovation.

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Dubai warns media against publishing false news after Downtown explosion claim

Published

16 hours ago

July 17, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai authorities have warned media organisations against publishing false or unverified reports after claims circulated that explosions had been heard in Downtown Dubai.

In a statement posted on X, the Government of Dubai Media Office (GDMO) said the emirate would take the necessary legal measures against outlets that publish inaccurate information, in line with local and federal laws.

The warning came after a brief Reuters report cited witnesses claiming they had heard booms in Downtown Dubai on Thursday. The report did not identify the source of the sounds or confirm that any incident had taken place.

The Dubai Media Office rejected the claims, stating that no explosions had occurred in the Downtown area and describing the report as false.

Authorities also urged media organisations and the public to rely on official sources for information and avoid sharing rumours or unverified reports that could cause unnecessary confusion.

The statement reinforces Dubai’s long-standing approach to combating misinformation, particularly during fast-moving events, with authorities stressing the importance of accurate reporting and verification before publication.