Dubai Ruler unveils high-tech, ‘smart’ plan for emirate’s future

A strategy aimed at allowing people to use smartphones for every day services in Dubai was launched on Wednesday.

UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tweeted: “Today we launched a three-year strategy to transform Dubai into a ‘Smart City’. It has 100 initiatives and 1,000 smart government services.

“We want all services and facilities in Dubai to be accessible through smartphones. We want to improve quality of life for everyone.”

Sheikh Mohammed’s tweets followed a ceremony to launch the ‘Transforming Dubai into a Smart City’ strategy. The plan features six key pillars: transport, communications, infrastructure, electricity, economic services and urban planning.

Sheikh Mohammed said: “Smart shopping will begin before we leave our homes. Smart tourism will get to know travellers the moment they board a plane to the UAE. Smart transport systems will make people’s lives easier.” He added: “Our goal is to create a better reality, build a new model of development, and achieve a happier life for our people.”