Dubai ranks first in Arab world on latest innovation index

Dubai led the Arab world and stood 20th globally last year in the Dubai Innovation Index that was released on Wednesday.

The index report, which was developed by the Dubai Chamber in collaboration with PwC, analysed 39 cities. The emirate ranked ahead of global cities that include Beijing, Shanghai and Sao Paulo, as it scored high in the categories of infrastructure, government and society.

Launched in 2014, Dubai Innovation Index has influenced a raft of new measures, including strategic policies and procedures introduced in areas such as public-private partnerships, robotics, blockchain, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and 3D printing. The assessment categories include agile government, infrastructure, funding, business environment and society.

Dubai’s performance reflects its ability to deliver “innovation-driven development” to transform the emirate into a global innovation hub, said Hamad Buamim, president and chief executive of Dubai Chamber.

“By providing a supportive environment, a robust regulatory and legislative framework and highly developed infrastructure and comprehensively addressing various vital enabling drivers, Dubai is on track to achieve its aspirations,” Mr Buamim said.

Singapore and Hong Kong maintained their first and second places on the index. Stockholm jumped three places to replace London in third position, with the UK capital dropping five places to eighth this year.

Toronto made the biggest jump of all the 39 cities on the index, rising seven places to reach 10th place from its 17th position in 2019.

Under the agile government category, Dubai scored high for its e-government services. Dubai Paperless Strategy, which aims to achieve a paperless government by the end of this year, was highlighted in the report.

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As part of the transformation, 41 government entities have already halved their paper use and are moving towards 100 per cent digitalisation.

Also supporting Dubai’s performance on the index is the Dubai Blockchain Strategy, which has enabled the city’s adoption of blockchain records in 24 applications in various industries.

Under the infrastructure category, Dubai was recognised for its academic institutions, boosting innovation by sharing their resources with start-ups and entrepreneurs.

With regards to funding, Dubai performed well in the area of venture capital, due to government-led incentives and support of global VCs looking to enter the market and those already invested.

Incentivisation approaches include tax incentives for venture capital funds, public-sector matching of investments and government support for early and mid-stage start-ups through additional services.

“By embracing new ideas to raise excellence and rapidly implementing dynamic creative solutions, Dubai is raising the performance of sectors across its economy,” Mr Buamim said.

The index shows digitalisation underpins the transformation of the most innovative cities and governments in top innovative cities do more to promote innovation.

It also shows that Covid-induced collaboration has accelerated innovation by offering innovators better opportunities to share knowledge, market access and funding.

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What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

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From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases

A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.

One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.

In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.

The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.

And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.

RESULTS

2.15pm Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m

Winner Shawall, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Majed Al Jahouri (trainer)

2.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner Anna Bella Aa, Fabrice Veron, Abdelkhir Adam

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Winner AF Thayer, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

3.45pm Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m

Winner Taajer, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

4.15pm The Ruler of Sharjah Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh250,000 (D) 1,700m

Winner Jawaal, Jim Crowley, Majed Al Jahouri

4.45pm Handicap (TB) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m

Winner Maqaadeer, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson

Tuesday's fixtures

Group A

Kyrgyzstan v Qatar, 5.45pm

Iran v Uzbekistan, 8pm

N Korea v UAE, 10.15pm

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MAIN CARD

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Abrorbek Madiminbekov v Mehdi El Jamari

Super heavyweight 94 kg
Adnan Mohammad v Mohammed Ajaraam

Lightweight 60kg
Zakaria Eljamari v Faridoon Alik Zai

Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Mahmood Amin v Taha Marrouni

Light welterweight 64.5kg
Siyovush Gulmamadov v Nouredine Samir

Light heavyweight 81.4kg
Ilyass Habibali v Haroun Baka

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Three ways to limit your social media use

Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.

1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.

2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.

3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.