Mohammad inspects Design District
VICE-PRESIDENT BRIEFED ON DEVELOPMENT OF CREATIVE COMMUNITY IN SECOND PHASE
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday toured the Dubai Design District, affirming the importance of nurturing talent and innovation.
Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, accompanied him on the tour.
Abdullah Al Habbai, chairman of Dubai Holding and Dr Amina Al Rostamani, group chief executive officer of Tecom Group, welcomed Shaikh Mohammad and his entourage.
Speaking at the event, Shaikh Mohammad said talent and innovation are fundamental pillars of sustainable development. He encouraged environmental creativity and young talent to chart innovative paths to achieve Dubai’s strategic objectives. “UAE is a platform for a knowledge-based economy, and we aim to consolidate our status in the design sector,” he said.
Shaikh Mohammad highlighted the role of the design industry in shaping the future, noting that the “economic sectors that depend on innovation and creativity are the actual movers of the economy. We must focus on encouraging talent and help them to blossom and become an active part of our economy and community”.
The design sector in the UAE is projected to be worth Dh116.7 billion by the end of this year. Dubai Design District now hosts more than 415 businesses, 211 SMEs and 85 Emirati companies, as well as over 7,000 professionals including innovators, designers and creators.
“The UAE has become a global hub for diverse knowledge-based sectors. Our aim is to consolidate our status in the design sector, in which we have tremendous potential for growth, and make our country a preferred destination for global companies. We also aim to position the UAE as an incubator for creative ideas and professionals,” Shaikh Mohammad said.
The Dubai Design District masterplan includes a 1.8km creek waterfront featuring entertainment and hospitality outlets, concept retail outlets and design-led hotels.
Shaikh Mohammad also visited businesses in the district and was briefed on the second phase of the district’s development which features a Creative Community spread over one million square feet, a centre that seeks to attract designers as well as visitors and tourists.
Al Habbai said: “The start of the second phase of the project reflects the success of the dstrict and Dubai’s commitment to providing an ecosystem that encourages creativity and innovation.”
Dr Al Rostamani said the district will continue to develop itself into a full-fledged creative centre and global destination.