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Mohammed promises a 'smart' life for Dubai residents [Khaleej Times (United Arab Emirates)](Khaleej Times (United Arab Emirates) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Dubai is racing against time to become a smart city whose residents will lead a happy and easy life, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said while inaugurating the 33rd edition of the Gitex Technology Week here on Sunday. "Dubai is on its way to transition to a fully smart city," Shaikh Mohammed said, expressing confidence in the imminent transformation of the UAE into a smart country that would provide the maximum facilities to citizens and residents. The announcement came after an earlier one on Saturday about the launch of a new project that would transform Dubai into the promised smart city. "We have launched a new project to transform Dubai into a smart city," he said on his Twitter page. "Education, healthcare and general security will be managed via smart systems." Bringing up the issue on Sunday, Shaikh Mohammed said Dubai is in a race against time to get to what is needed to become a smart city, to make people happy, provide them with an easy life and aid communication with each other. The transformation would also see government agencies facilitate work processes and "reduce the burden of movement" between departments for service. After the inauguration, Shaikh Mohammed visited both government and private company stands. A significant number of agreements were signed between private firms and UAE government departments. The first day of the event saw a record number of visitors who jam-packed the venue, all the way from the corridors to the 13 exhibition halls. The organisers are expecting more than 130,000 visitors from 150 countries during the five days of the exhibition. The exhibitors, who number around 3,500, represent 80 per cent of the world's leading brands and have come armed with new products and services. While the industry's key decision makers are expected to initiate multi-million dollars deals during the event, Middle East ICT spendings are expected to cross Dh700 billion this year. On the first day, telecom operator etisalat surpassed its own record by launching the region's highest Internet speed of 500Mbps. The Gitex Technology Week, the Middle East's top information and communication technology show, is also regarded as one of the world's most influential events of its kinds. It will run until October 24 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. [email protected] (c) 2013 Khaleej Times. All Rights Reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |