H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), has approved a strategy to establish the Global Centre for Research and Technology for Economic Zones, a new body aimed at strengthening Dubai’s global leadership in the development of economic zones.
Operating under DIEZ, the Centre will develop knowledge, policies and standards to help zones attract high-value foreign investment, raise the value added by economic activity and expand trade and technology transfer. It aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and the ‘We the UAE 2031’ Vision.
The need is clear from the scale of the sector. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, more than 8,000 special economic zones operate across over 140 countries, supporting more than 100 million jobs.
The Centre will focus on six key areas, including specialised research, international indicators and benchmarks, policy advice, operational standards, consultancy and training, and global collaboration platforms. It will also support regulatory sandboxes for testing new policies and models.
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ, said the Centre will turn Dubai’s experience into an institutional framework for knowledge creation and practical solutions. A phased roadmap will build research and consultancy capabilities, develop specialised databases and establish partnerships with governments, universities and the private sector.
Governance will rest with a Board of Directors of seven to nine members, supported by a Global Advisory Committee of 15 to 25 experts. Non-profit research and thought leadership will be separated from a commercial arm offering consultancy and specialised solutions.
Its economic impact will be tracked through investment attracted, new projects, jobs, trade growth and knowledge transfer.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
