UAE partners with Spain to step up technology adoption

Countries will collaborate in sectors of health and life sciences, space, transport and logistics, renewable energy and AI

Sarah Al Amiri, UAE minister of state for advanced technology, and Pedro Duque, Spain's minister of science and innovation, sign an agreement to develop an advanced technology framework on Saturday. CShow more

The UAE and Spain signed a preliminary agreement to pave the way for collaborating and developing an advanced technology framework over the next three years.

The UAE’s ministry of industry and advanced technology and Spain’s ministry of science and innovation signed an agreement on Saturday that aims to foster bilateral collaboration in areas of technological advancement, technology transfers and the adoption of industry 4.0 technologies.

“This MoU lies at the core of the ministry’s objective of improving industrial [ties] and building new economic sectors through the adoption of industry 4.0 technologies and fostering strong research and development partnerships,” Sarah Al Amiri, UAE minister of state for advanced technology, said.

The two countries will collaborate in the sectors of health and life sciences, space systems, transport and logistics technologies, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, the statement said.

“This agreement … will allow us to increase scientific cooperation through the establishment of a robust institutional framework,” Pedro Duque, Spain’s minister of science and innovation, said.

“Close collaboration in critical fields such as health and life sciences, renewable energy, space, transportation, AI, industry 4.0 and enabling technologies will help our countries better face society’s most pressing interdisciplinary and interdependent challenges.”

The agreement also aims to boost industrial and academic sector collaboration, create joint R&D projects, form joint industrial clusters, according to a statement. The tie-up will also facilitate knowledge, intellectual property and capability exchange protocols and licensing arrangements.