As part of its globalisation drive, AM-Austria recently met with representatives from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to discuss prospective cross-border collaborations. Both organisations want to form a strategic technological alliance. This seminar was hosted by Network Development Hub GmbH (NDH), a hub that helps technological start-ups and scale-ups with commercialization and growth, with an emphasis on commercial capabilities, market communication, and international business development.
Late last year, AM-Austria President Dr. Johannes Homa visited Dubai and spoke with important industrial, technological, and research leaders. The meeting's main purpose was to talk about possible future collaborations between the two regions.
The UAE is presently considered as the region's leader in introducing additive manufacturing technology, after H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE) unveiled a national 3D printing strategy in 2016, complete with a roadmap. The ambitious plan to create a strategic technology alliance intends to put technology to good use for humanity and to make the UAE and Dubai as leading 3D printing technology centres by 2030. By 2030, the strategy seeks to use 3D printing to construct 25% of its structures. The UAE concentrates mostly on three primary industries: construction, medical equipment, and consumer goods.
As part of the tour led by Naveed Syed (Founder and CEO of NDH) and its Advisor Dr Saeed Al Dhaheri, Dr. Homa gave presentations to Sharjah Research Technology Innovation Park, Dubai Future Foundation, University of Dubai, Khalifa University, Mubadala Aerospace, Digital Dubai Authority, SmartWorld, and others.
Despite its modest size, Austria is considered one of the most inventive countries in the field of additive manufacturing. It has extensive knowledge of the full additive value chain as well as diverse additive technologies. International collaborations like this one aim to kick off a beneficial conversation, boost countries' perspectives, and promote additive manufacturing technologies.
Both countries want to explore concrete measures for commencing partnership as soon as feasible as a next step.