Arab News

Masdar City to lead $1.08bn innovation drive: CEO

Projects target sectors like energy, artificial intelligen­ce and space

- Arab News Riyadh

Abu Dhabi’s Masdar City is gearing up to deliver energy and artificial intelligen­ce projects with 4 billion dirhams ($1.08 billion) in investment­s, according to its CEO.

In an interview with the Emirates News Agency on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, Ahmed Baghoum unveiled ambitious plans for the developmen­t.

The conference, hosted by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Co., also known as Masdar, is taking place from April 16 to 18, bringing together global experts to devise sustainabl­e solutions for tomorrow.

Baghoum said there are projects under the design phase with an investment cost ranging between 3-4 billion dirhams that target critical sectors like energy, artificial intelligen­ce, and space, as well as life sciences and agricultur­e, according to WAM.

The CEO also outlined the current landscape of developmen­t at Masdar City. The ongoing constructi­on projects, valued at approximat­ely 1 billion dirhams, include the iconic Masdar City

Complex and The Link, set to be completed by mid-2025.

According to Masdar City, The Link is an innovative 30,000 sq. m. developmen­t featuring the region’s first net-zero energy shared working and living facility. “The Link will model a new kind of sustainabl­e community by connecting shared working and living space with other elements of a thriving neighborho­od, including places to shop, play, and relax, and local transporta­tion,” the CEO said in a press release earlier last year.

He pointed out that it serves as a vital element in Masdar City’s blueprint for sustainabl­e urban developmen­t. Highlighti­ng the strategic focus of Masdar City, Baghoum emphasized

the significan­ce of vital sectors, including energy and AI for Abu Dhabi and the broader UAE.

The CEO also underscore­d the commitment to bolstering these industries by attracting top talent and fostering partnershi­ps and discussed ongoing talks with foreign companies interested in relocating and setting up their research centers in Masdar City.

Additional­ly, Baghoum outlined the attractive incentives for companies considerin­g relocation to Masdar City, saying: “Masdar City is a world-class business and technology hub, operating at the highest internatio­nal standards. It offers companies a compelling package of advantages and incentives, including full foreign ownership, exemption from income tax, and unrestrict­ed currency exchange.”

Masdar City is a world-class business and technology hub, operating at the highest internatio­nal standards.

 ?? File ?? The ongoing projects, valued at approximat­ely 1 billion dirhams, include the iconic Masdar City Complex and The Link, set to be completed by mid-2025.
File The ongoing projects, valued at approximat­ely 1 billion dirhams, include the iconic Masdar City Complex and The Link, set to be completed by mid-2025.
 ?? Masdar City CEO ?? Ahmed Baghoum
Masdar City CEO Ahmed Baghoum

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