DUBAI: Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, commended the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) for its achievements in digitising services and ensuring accessibility for all sections of society. His comments were made during a panel discussion at the 10th Dubai International Project Management Forum (DIPMF) 2025, where he was joined by Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr, Global Digital Transformation Expert, and Dr. Stephanie Hare, Technologist and Researcher.
Bin Touq Al Marri began by highlighting the UAE’s pioneering e-government initiative, launched in the 1990s by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which marked the beginning of the country’s digital transformation journey. He explained how the initiative evolved from e-government to smart government and is now at the forefront of digital government. He attributed the nation’s rapid progress in this area to Sheikh Mohammed’s visionary leadership and ambitious approach to innovation.
The Minister emphasised the importance of digital transformation in providing accurate and timely information to investors and entrepreneurs in Dubai, driving economic growth across sectors. He also called for stronger public-private sector partnerships to enhance collaboration, knowledge exchange, and service delivery, ultimately increasing the digital economy’s contribution to the nation’s GDP.
Dr. Aisha Bin Bishr expressed gratitude to RTA for hosting the forum and praised the authority for its leadership in digital transformation, which has played a pivotal role in Dubai’s development. Dr. Stephanie Hare underscored the importance of investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) alongside infrastructure, stating that establishing an AI Action Plan is essential for the country’s future digital success.