Abu Dhabi's Department of Economic Development shifts all services online

New website provides key information about competitiveness, business, exports, investment, analytical studies, reports and economic indexes

Abu Dhabi Global Markets. A $5bn bond issuance finalised on Wednesday was 4.8 times' oversubscribed. Alamy

The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (Added) shifted its services online through a new website as part of the government's efforts towards digital transformation.

"The website provides an important electronic platform offering a database of economic information and initiatives that promote and empower the private sector in its key role as one of the major drivers of the local economic system in Abu Dhabi," Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of Added, said.

The Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (Adda) helped launch the department's latest website: www.added.gov.ae .

The new website focuses on areas that enable the private sector to take advantage of the initiatives, programs, and projects being implemented by the department, Rashed Al Balooshi, undersecretary of Added, said.

The home page of the website provides businesses with key information about competitiveness, industry, support for exports, investment, analytical studies, reports, economic indexes, and access to Added’s related entities, Mr Al Balooshi said.

In the next stage of development, the website will feature interactive pages that provide integrated and updated information users. Leading initiatives and projects launched by the department and the Abu Dhabi government will also be displayed on the homepage.

Abu Dhabi is planning to attract technology companies and skilled workers to accelerate its economic recovery early next year, in the wake of the pandemic and lower oil prices, Mr Al Shorafa told Bloomberg in an interview last week.

The emirate wants to develop "the knowledge sector and innovation by attracting technology companies to put down roots in Abu Dhabi”, he said.

Abu Dhabi has boosted its spending on capital projects, investing in start-ups and strategic industries — especially agriculture technology — and is considering lowering the cost of living in the emirate, Mr Al Shorafa said.