His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on Monday received Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft Corporation, for a meeting where both parties discussed the UAE's plans and projects in the field of smart government services.
Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs also attended the meeting. During the meeting, Shaikh Mohammed expressed his appreciation for Microsoft's role in the global information and communication technology sector, and highlighted the long-standing cooperation between the UAE and major technology developers and providers, including Microsoft.
The meeting also discussed the UAE's plans to utilise the latest and most efficient technology solutions in the government sector to enhance services and improve government performance with the aim of furthering the UAE's growth and progress and achieving national development objectives.
The meeting also highlighted the key objectives of the UAE's National Innovation Strategy that was launched in 2014 following directives from the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan to institutionalise and promote a culture of innovation and creativity. Furthermore, the meeting discussed Dubai's innovation strategy, developed in line with the National Innovation Strategy, which includes 20 initiatives aimed at further enhancing Dubai's profile as one of the world's most innovative cities.
Nadella praised the UAE's approach towards development and the leadership's vision to implement the latest technology and communication solutions, and thanked the UAE's leadership for providing a supportive environment for businesses and foreign investments. He said that the cooperation between Dubai and Microsoft goes back 15 years to the beginnings of Dubai Internet City, home of Microsoft's regional office. Nadella also affirmed Microsoft's keenness to explore new opportunities that will increase cooperation in the coming years.