UAE-US deal shows potential collaboration in digital economy

Abu Dhabi: A joint statement on cross-border data flows signed by the United States and the United Arab Emirates is just one example of the potential for greater bilateral collaboration in digital economy, a senior US official told the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

“The joint statement really embodies the shared approach that the United States and the UAE take with respect to data policy,” said Arun Venkataraman, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the US and Foreign Commercial Service.

In an exclusive interview with WAM last week in Abu Dhabi, he added that the initiative particularly underscores the shared commitment to cross-border data flows to ensure that the data are used in a way that protects citizens’ interests. Protecting citizens’ data

The joint statement intends to prevent misuse of data and recognises that, through a system of interoperability, both protection of consumers as well as maximizing the opportunities for data to produce benefits for society can be achieved, Venkataraman explained.

“So, it commits both governments to pursuing maximum protection of citizens’ data while pursuing interoperability both bilaterally as well as multilaterally. So, we are commited to identifying mechanisms as we work with other partners to support that kind of interoperable approach.” Venkataraman, who assumed his office in April 2022 to lead the US government’s efforts to promote exports abroad and atract inward investment, was on his first official visit to the UAE.

Joint statement to facilitate commerce across borders

Asked about the practical impact of the joint statement, the official asserted that it is not an academic exercise but maximises the sovereignty of all countries by allowing countries to pursue their own approaches to cross-border data flows. “But doing so, in a way, that facilitates commercial activity across borders,” the US official emphasised. He added that it will have an absolute win-win outcome. “You are protecting citizens and maximising the prospects for business to operate in multiple jurisdictions, bringing those benefits directly to citizens,” Venkataraman stressed.