INTERVIEW-UAE’s Smartworld building technology and digital infrastructure

UAE's Smartworld is best known for its work outfitting the technology infrastructure for Al Maktoum Airport in Dubai. Smartworld Chairman Dr. Saeed K. Al Dhaheri tells Salaam Gateway how such large-scale digital and technology infrastructure projects have helped the company support small and medium-sized enterprises as well, and shares his insights on what the Arab world is doing to become technology and knowledge leaders.

Salaam Gateway: Smartworld is arguably best known for your work outfitting the technology infrastructure for Al Maktoum airport in Dubai. How have such large-scale digital and technology infrastructure projects helped small and medium-sized enterprises in Dubai and the UAE?

Dr. Saeed K. Al Dhaheri: Dubai airport is one of the leading global airports and therefore has world class and complex systems.  Smartworld has been responsible as the ICT Systems integrator to make sure these independent systems have been updated and can talk together to enable the airport to be managed effectively.  The experience gained doing this means Smartworld has built up a set of skilled resources internally.  This skill set can now be applied to any sector in the UAE and we have used this experience and expertise in developing and implementing solutions for small- and medium-sized enterprises.