Workshop empowers aspiring young Emirati app developers

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has conducted a special workshop aimed at aspiring Emirati app developers.

The interactive session ‘Fundamentals of Setting up a Business and Building a Successful Mobile Application’ was presented in cooperation with AstroLabs as part of the chamber’s support for the ‘Create Apps in Dubai’ initiative and the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).

The workshop attracted more than 50 young Emiratis, who benefitted from opportunities to hone their skills in app development and meet with high-level experts to discuss their innovative ideas.

The event comes as part of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy’s drive to play a central role in the success of Create Apps in Dubai by strengthening engagement with young Emirati developers and digital entrepreneurs and empowering them to contribute to achieving the UAE’s digital vision.

‘Fundamentals of Setting up a Business and Building a Successful Mobile Application’ provided valuable insights on how to launch a startup in Dubai and effectively leverage the latest technologies. The session offered a tailor-made platform for discussion, hands-on guidance, and knowledge sharing on designing, developing, and pitching mobile app prototypes to key enablers and investors.

As part of the workshop, participants were introduced to a new infographic guide outlining the benefits of innovative no-code platforms. Produced by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy in collaboration with the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Office, this valuable resource was created to reduce barriers to entry for a career in app development by providing a comprehensive guide to no-code platforms, which enable people with no experience in programming to develop their own apps.

The guide is designed to help young Emiratis enter the world of app development, as well as test their applications before launch.

Announced in March this year, Create Apps in Dubai was launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

The initiative is aimed at nurturing the capabilities of homegrown digital talent and has set an ambitious target to train a select group of 1,000 Emiratis in partnership with the private sector to help achieve its goal of tripling the number of app creators in the emirate by 2025.

Create Apps in Dubai also supports 100 new national projects for the development of cutting-edge apps that will be made available in digital app stores over the next two years.

Led by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, Create Apps in Dubai seeks to leverage new growth opportunities in the sector by creating a strong digital infrastructure, developing a legislative framework that supports the development of apps, and introducing government incentives to accelerate the sector’s growth in line with the chamber’s strategic objectives.

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has recently unveiled details of its key achievements during the first half of 2023. Significant milestones included attracting 69 emerging technology companies to the emirate in cooperation with its partners from various government authorities between January and June, in line with the chamber’s commitment to advancing Dubai’s dynamic digital economy and bringing the ambitions of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to life.

During the six-month period, the chamber successfully conducted a series of 12 roadshows across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. As part of these roadshows, meetings were coordinated with 279 companies including multinationals, SMEs, startups and scale-ups to showcase the huge growth potential in Dubai and highlight the benefits of doing business in the emirate. In addition, the visits were aimed at encouraging participation in the upcoming Expand North Star, one of the largest global gatherings for startups that will be hosted in Dubai from 15 – 18 October.

Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, commented: “We remain committed to achieving the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to consolidate the emirate’s position as a global capital of the digital economy, and are working to activate the role of the private sector as a key driver of sustainable economic growth. Our priorities include keeping pace with the wise leadership’s vision and achieving the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to consolidate the emirate’s reputation and attractiveness among international technology companies.”