Staff Reporter, Gulf Today

Arab-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) and Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) have jointly organized ‘Brazil – UAE Business Seminar on Innovation’. The seminar focused on two major topics themed ‘Innovation Environment in Arab Countries and Brazil: Opportunities and Challenges’ and ‘Investments in Science, Technology and Innovation in Arab countries and Brazil: Opportunities and Challenges’.

The seminar kicked off in the presence of Marcos Pontes, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Brazil; Hossein Mohamed Al Mahmoudi, CEO of Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park,  Fernando Igreja, Brazilian Ambassador to the UAE, Karen Jones, COO of APEX Brazil Office for the Middle East and North Africa and Osmar Chohfi, President, Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce, attended the inaugural session of the seminar.

The event was held to accelerate efforts aimed at developing a platform to nurture fruitful discussions between business leaders in the UAE and Brazil, where they can share insights and experiences on the latest developments in their business and support their respective business communities.

Osmar Chohfi, President of Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce said: “Innovation is integral to economic development, and fast-paced changes in digitalization is resulting in the advancement of ‘frontier technologies’ namely artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, all of which are vital for countries to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

The inaugural session of the seminar focused on both countries’ position in the scientific frontier, highlighting the role of knowledge production, technological developments, goods, and services. It further addressed the role of industries in digital transformation, perspectives on community participation, and how they can enhance businesses in the future. The agenda of the seminar also included delivering proposals and recommendations which can contribute to the acceleration of digital transformation and enhancement of services. The discussions focused largely on raising Brazil’s profile in foreign innovation ecosystems, identifying partnerships, attracting investments, supporting the internationalization of startups, supporting the mobilization of the Brazilian scientific diaspora abroad and fostering the collaboration between Brazilian and UAE technology parks and innovation environments.

“Through this seminar, we aim to stimulate the growth of new industries and services that produce jobs and contribute to human development, and to set strategic research and innovation plans to take on emerging challenges. We aim to continue strengthening our strategic relations with the UAE which enjoys a strong bond of close economic cooperation, cultural ties and robust trade relations. It is worth noting that both countries are actively pursuing sustainable development based on technology and innovation. ABCC is at the forefront in supporting both countries’ goals,” Chohfi remarked.

One of ABCC’s latest initiatives in innovation include the ABCC Lab, an innovation ecosystem where Brazilian and Arab startups are encouraged to seek solutions of interest to both regions. It has also developed the “Ellos business platform” and “Easy Trade”, a fraud-resistant, blockchain model which is a real revolution in customs clearance. It has contributed effectively in efforts to advance a smarter, more sustainable and modern bilateral trade between Brazil and the Arab countries.

Meanwhile, Etisalat and Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) have recently teamed up to enhance their cooperation in a host of smart services and solutions in a bid to enhance sustainable transport in the emirate of Sharjah.

 Under a partnership agreement, the parties will jointly develop and establish a long-term strategic collaboration, with Etisalat appointed as the transport authority’s digital, ICT and smart solutions service provider. Both are set to embark on a joint project to fulfill SRTA’s existing and future requirements, transforming its services into smart services.

Masood M Sharif Mahmood, CEO, Etisalat UAE, signed the agreement on behalf of Etisalat; and His Excellency Engineer Youssef Al-Othmani, Chairman, signed on behalf of SRTA in the presence of senior officials from both parties on the sidelines of GITEX Global in Dubai.

Abdel Aziz Hamad Taryam, General Manager - Northern Emirates, Etisalat said: “Etisalat is keen to enable SRTA access to the latest technologies and smart solutions to help realise its sustainable transport objectives. These efforts epitomise Etisalat’s strategic vision of ‘Driving the digital future to empower societies’.  We look forward to working closely with the SRTA in developing technologies and initiatives to address its existing and future requirements.”

Engineer Youssef Al-Othmani, Chairman, Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority, stressed the importance of government partnerships to enhance the development process in the Emirate of Sharjah, enabling institutions to unify their efforts to execute development projects according to the highest international standards and to meet the needs of citizens and residents in all sectors.

 He pointed out that the strategic MoU with Etisalat, embraced recently by the Executive Council of the Emirate of Sharjah, is a continuation of the existing relations and cooperation between the authority and Etisalat, resulting in several achievements that aim to facilitate the lives of the residents and visitors of the emirate. The partnership will also contribute to opening horizons for upcoming projects, characterised by the use of the latest technologies and the best ways to enable the authority to harness artificial intelligence to fulfill its future projects.