Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, has highlighted the pivotal role of advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), in revolutionizing global trade.
Speaking at the inaugural Plug and Play Middle East Summit, Dr. Al Zeyoudi emphasized the UAE’s leadership in adopting cutting-edge solutions to create smarter, faster, and more efficient trade systems.
The summit, which brought together industry leaders, government officials, and investors, showcased innovations poised to reshape the global economy. Dr. Al Zeyoudi stressed the importance of empowering startups to unlock value currently hindered by outdated, human-centric processes.
“Trade is undergoing a complete transformation driven by automation and digital innovation,”
he stated.
“We must enable entrepreneurs to develop solutions that foster inclusive global trade while establishing the necessary regulatory frameworks.”
The UAE’s TradeTech Initiative, launched in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, is at the forefront of this transformation. Key components include the TradeTech Accelerator and a Regulatory Sandbox, designed to fast-track innovation. Dr. Al Zeyoudi revealed that the accelerator, developed with Plug and Play, has already identified 14 high-potential startups from 1,500 global applicants. These ventures are pioneering AI-driven logistics, blockchain-powered trade finance, and digital supply-chain optimization, showcasing the UAE’s robust innovation ecosystem.
The summit also featured fireside chats and panel discussions exploring AI’s expanding role in entrepreneurship, fintech trends, and blockchain applications. Participants underscored the transformative potential of AI in augmenting human capabilities and driving industry-wide change.
As the UAE continues to champion technological advancement, its efforts are set to unlock new opportunities for global commerce, reinforcing its position as a hub for innovation and trade.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
