Korea IT Cooperation Centre UAE Opens To Foster Innovation At Dubai Internet City

The National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), supported by the Korean government, has opened its Korea IT Cooperation Centre UAE (KICC UAE) office at Dubai Internet City. This launch coincides with GITEX Global 2024, held from 14th to 18th October at Dubai World Trade Centre. The centre aims to strengthen Dubai's role as a key business hub globally.

KICC UAE is NIPA's first centre in the Middle East and the sixth in its global network, joining hubs in Silicon Valley, Singapore, India, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City. This initiative follows a memorandum of understanding signed during GITEX Global 2023 with Dubai Internet City, a leading technology hub in the region.

The new office will support Korean tech companies aiming to expand into the Middle East by forming strategic alliances with local government bodies and industry partners. The inauguration was attended by notable figures including Vice Minister Kang Do-hyun from Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, Abdulla Belhoul of TECOM Group PJSC, and Ammar Al Malik from Dubai Internet City.

Vice Minister Kang Do-hyun remarked on the significance of establishing KICC UAE in Dubai. He stated, "The establishment of the first KICC centre in the Middle East, here in Dubai, UAE holds significant meaning. It stands as a concrete and impactful milestone in the digital sector, following the reaffirmation of bilateral cooperation during President Yoon Suk-yeol’s state visit to the UAE in January."

Sung-Wook Hur, President of NIPA, highlighted the importance of this launch for fostering innovation. He said that KICC UAE will connect Korean entrepreneurs with their UAE counterparts. "Our Dubai Internet City address will be a hub for innovators to collaborate on groundbreaking solutions with the potential to not only benefit the UAE and the Republic of Korea but also make a lasting impact on the global stage," he added.

Ammar Al Malik emphasised Dubai Internet City's role as a platform for innovation. He noted that KICC UAE will enhance talent development through partnerships and market opportunities. "We welcome partners like KICC UAE in our endeavour to create a lasting impact through tech innovation," he said.

Facility Features and Future Plans

The facility spans 6,535 sq. ft., featuring seven private offices, 18 co-working spaces, meeting rooms, and a showroom for around 100 employees and visitors. Seven resident companies such as Wrtn Technologies and DeepNoid will operate from KICC UAE alongside others using shared spaces.

These companies aim to penetrate the Middle Eastern market with support from KICC UAE. The centre will provide industry insights to help Korean tech firms engage within Dubai Internet City's ecosystem effectively.

Economic Partnership Agreement

Dubai Internet City's collaboration with KICC UAE enhances ties between the UAE and Korea. In May 2024, both nations signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to foster economic cooperation beyond their AED19.4 billion non-oil trade in 2023.

This partnership aligns with the UAE's goal to double its non-oil foreign trade to AED4 trillion by 2031. The CEPA is expected to contribute significantly towards achieving this vision through increased bilateral trade activities.

The opening of KICC UAE marks an important step for NIPA's global expansion strategy while reinforcing economic ties between Korea and the Middle East region through collaborative innovation initiatives facilitated by Dubai Internet City’s thriving business environment.

With inputs from WAM