DIFC announces ‘DIFC Metaverse Platform’ to attract technology innovators

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) on Monday announced the launch of the ‘DIFC Metaverse Platform,’ in line with the Dubai Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy’s aim to attract technology innovators from around the world.

The platform is part of a comprehensive strategy being developed by Dubai International Financial Centre, the leading global financial centre in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region, to accelerate Dubai’s status as a global metaverse leader, according to a report by Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The DIFC Metaverse Platform is aligned with the Dubai Metaverse Strategy, which aims to add $4 billion to Dubai's GDP, support 40,000 virtual jobs by 2030 and attract 1,000 companies specialized in blockchain and Metaverse technologies.

The platform also supports the objective of the recently launched Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to generate economic value worth Dh100 billion ($27.22 billion) from digital transformation annually.

Commenting on the announcement, Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, Chairman of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Vice Chairman of the Dubai Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital

Economy, stated that the UAE adopts advanced technologies in its aim to keep pace with global changes, reflecting the directives of its leadership, in transforming the country and Dubai to become a leading hub for utilizing the best technology and developing capabilities.

Al Olama added that this Metaverse platform is the first in a series of initiatives that aim to strengthen Dubai's position as a global platform for the latest digital trends and accelerate the pace to achieve the objectives of the Dubai Metaverse Strategy.

Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, said, “The Dubai government has shown great foresight in introducing a Metaverse strategy that has the objective of making the emirate a global hub for technology and innovation. The development of the integrated DIFC Metaverse Platform will accelerate the achievements of Dubai’s aspirations in this sector. The initiative is a natural extension of our Innovation Hub proposition that has