Digital Transformation – The UAE’s Government’s Plan to Improve Speed, Efficiency & Quality

19 Jul, 2020

It was announced on the 5th of July 2020 that the United Arab Emirates Government’s Post-Covid plan to increase efficiency and its ability to be more agile will include a radical shake-up of Cabinet personnel. This shake-up will include the closure of 50% of service centres, which will be transformed into digital platforms within the next two years, as well as a merger of 50% of Federal authorities with other authorities or ministries over the course of the next year.

The move comes as part of the UAE Government’s ‘preparations for the post-covid-19 period’. Currently the UAE’s digital economy contributes 4.3 percent to the country’s economy and is expected to reach GBP 50.77billion by 2023.
What we know for sure:

  • The Ministry of Energy has merged with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Suhail Al Mazrouei will head the combined entity.
  • Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. Chief Executive Officer Sultan Al Jaber has been named minister of industry and advanced technology, as well as head of Emirates Development Bank. Al Jaber will remain ADNOC CEO after assuming his new position, according to the company.
  • The Ministry of Economy has been split between three ministers: Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri (economy), Ahmed Belhoul (entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises) and Thani Ahmed Al Zeyoudi (foreign trade). The outgoing economy minister Sultan Al Mansoori also chairs several government bodies such as the Securities and Commodities Authority and the Federal Civil Aviation Authority.
  • The Federal Electricity and Water Authority, Emirates Transport, Emirates Post Group and Emirates Real Estate Corp. will be brought under the Emirates Investment Authority.

Technology has played an increasingly important role in the UAE’s economy as the country continues to diversify beyond oil and gas. The appointment of the world’s first Minister for Artificial Intelligence is part of the leadership’s vision to place the country as a leader in technological innovation.

Three ministers will also be appointed under the Ministry of Economy, as well as a Minister of State for Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Remote Work Applications while a UAE Government Media Office will be established.