Big tech companies are, by nature, competitive with one another. But on Saturday, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook and LinkedIn, among others, joined together to sign a deal with the UAE to help the government train and attract 100,000 programmers and coders in the country.
Tech is one of the most promising sectors in the Middle East's economy. The region has produced world-class apps in recent years, such as Careem, a car-booking service acquired by Uber last year, which now operates in 100 cities, and has created a million jobs in the region. There is room for more growth. Smart phone penetration in the UAE is now as high as 99 per cent. Other countries are working to improve their internet connectivity. Overall, the region had nearly 175 million smartphone users in 2019.
Coupled with this huge potential is the unique accessibility of the programming profession for young people. Once initial skills are acquired, anyone with a laptop and internet connection can operate independently, relatively free from the other barriers to entry that squeeze the talent pool in many traditional sectors.
For a number of years, the UAE has placed itself at the forefront of this regional opportunity. In 2017, in conjunction with the think tank Dubai Future Foundation, the government launched the One Million Arab Coders campaign to train one million young people in the field. Saturday's initiative will further diversify and strengthen the domestic economy. There are targets to create 1,000 new digital firms, which will be supported by plans to boost government start-up investment to more than $1 billion. But the initiative's effects could also be felt abroad. The UAE's ever-expanding Golden Visa programme, which grants 10-year visas to talented people, will be used to attract 100,000 of the world's brightest coders.
Even as we enter an age of more virtual work, business leaders and entrepreneurs in the Emirates are retaining their faith in the role of in-person knowledge exchange to boost innovation. California's Silicon Valley, after all, was not just a digital movement, but part of a bricks-and-mortar city that became the global centre of the tech revolution. And while the area's remarkable success was driven by the individual ambitions of its visionaries, favourable legislation and external venture capital also played a huge role in its emergence, both of which are now set to happen in the UAE.
Beyond its economic benefits, coding is an inherently young discipline. Too often the declining average age of the Middle East is viewed simply as a challenge that will fuel instability and discontent, and strain limited resources. A burgeoning UAE tech movement is giving youth across the region a clear path to a better future. The UAE’s ambitions include ensuring new opportunities are always emerging, for the country and wider region.
Keep it fun and engaging
Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.
“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.
His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.
He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
