Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the National Olympic Committee, affirmed that digital trade has become a cornerstone in the UAE's economic development journey and a key driver in enhancing Dubai's competitiveness, solidifying its position as a global hub for future trade based on innovation, technological integration, and smart supply chains. This statement was made during his attendance at the launch of the "Worldify Dubai 2026" forum, the world's largest regional event specializing in the digital trade sector. The event is hosting over 16,000 visitors from more than 80 countries. Dubai is hosting the forum for the second consecutive time, held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai's Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZA), and organized by Dubai Commerce City over three days until February 14, in cooperation with Worldify, the international platform specializing in empowering companies, entrepreneurs, and investors in cross-border e-commerce and digital trade.
Sheikh Mansoor noted that the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, focuses on building a comprehensive digital economy capable of anticipating global transformations, enhancing the interconnection between logistical gateways and digital systems, and developing flexible regulatory frameworks that support the fluidity of cross-border trade and provide a more efficient and sustainable business environment. He highlighted that the pioneering initiatives of the "Worldify Dubai 2026" forum reflect Dubai's ongoing commitment to enabling the economy of the future through investments in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, strengthening international partnerships, and fostering an innovative environment that enables companies and entrepreneurs to expand with confidence in rapidly transforming regional and global markets.
During the event, Sheikh Mansoor announced the establishment of the UAE's first center for applied innovation in artificial intelligence within Dubai Commerce City. The center will be established by the International Institute of Technology Madras (IITM), which will provide enabling support and guidance for the project. It will serve as a specialized platform for transforming advanced AI capabilities into practical applications, with a focus on locally developing products, deploying solutions, and creating intellectual property, alongside enhancing cooperation with governmental and industrial entities and partners within the innovation ecosystem.
Sheikh Mansoor also witnessed the launch of an economic research paper by Dubai Commerce City, which sheds light on the shift from traditional trade patterns to digital ecosystems based on e-commerce, digital payments, logistics, data-supported financial technologies, and cross-border services. The paper also explores the prospects of economic partnership between the UAE and India, considering the qualitative development witnessed in bilateral relations over the past decade, especially following the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries in 2022, with a focus on building digital trade corridors.
Additionally, Sheikh Mansoor presided over the launch of a joint initiative between Dubai Commerce City and Dubai Customs, aimed at strengthening the frameworks of cooperation between the two parties in the field of digital trade and supporting efforts to develop a comprehensive business environment that contributes to facilitating commercial operations and enhancing the efficiency of Dubai's trade system.
In his inaugural address at the forum, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, affirmed that the emirate of Dubai has solidified its status as a global center for trade, innovation, and digital commerce under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He emphasized that this role is gaining increasing importance amidst the rapid transformations in the global economy at a time when economic relations worldwide are being redefined. Dr. Al Zeyoudi stated that the UAE is building a data-driven, globally integrated digital economy, which has enabled it to become a leader in e-commerce, supported by legislation designed to support entrepreneurs, protect consumers, and empower companies to expand with confidence, alongside an innovation ecosystem that includes specialized free zones for digital trade such as Dubai Commerce City.
In turn, Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, CEO of Dubai's Integrated Economic Zones Authority, stated that hosting the "Worldify Dubai 2026" forum embodies Dubai's firm commitment to the path of digital transformation and comprehensive economic development. He noted that Dubai's economic agenda, D33, represents a strategic framework for shaping a future based on innovation, enhancing global interconnectivity, and reinforcing international competitiveness. Al Zarouni confirmed that the forum directly contributes to this vision by enabling companies to expand globally, relying on world-class digital capabilities.
Al Zarouni also pointed out that the discussions at the forum reflect the accelerating impact of emerging technologies, foremost among them artificial intelligence, advanced financial and logistics technologies, and next-generation payment solutions, which are enhancing connectivity between markets and reshaping the features of global trade systems.
Omar Nart, CEO of the global Worldify platform, in turn, stated that the presence and participation of major companies specializing in e-commerce and related logistics services have directly enabled strategic discussions within the forum's proceedings, which will help define the future of these sectors, their trajectories, and identify the available opportunities.
