Dubai officially launches Silicon Valley expansion plan, with a total investment of 3.5 billion US dollars. As an important measure of Dubai's economic diversification strategy, this expansion aims to create a complete business ecosystem that can accommodate 6500 new businesses and 75000 professional talents, consolidating Dubai's hub position in the global technology innovation landscape.

This expansion includes two core sub projects, District IO and Block 14, which will become key engines driving regional economic transformation and sustainable growth.

Seize the future technological high ground with District IO

The District IO project, as the highlight of this expansion, has a total investment of approximately 11 billion dirhams, and its core mission is to build infrastructure for future technologies. From the perspective of industry positioning, District IO will host over 6500 global enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, and startups, with a focus on intelligent transportation, 3D printing, robotics technology, and more X-Tech、 Cutting edge fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and Web3.

In terms of construction scale, the 25 high-efficiency buildings cover 18 commercial buildings, 4 residential buildings, 1 conference center, and 1 innovation and experience center, forming a complete functional loop integrating research and development, office, exhibition, and communication. It is expected that in the next decade, this project will create approximately 70000 new job opportunities for Dubai and build a talent attraction field by bringing together top researchers and entrepreneurs from around the world.

The project will be implemented in two phases: by 2026, the office space, research and development laboratory, and supporting commercial area will be launched first, with priority given to solving the problems of enterprise and talent landing; By 2027, we will promote high-end functional facilities such as conference centers and innovation experience centers to enhance regional international influence.

Building a sustainable ecosystem with Block 14

The Block 14 project embodies the concept of industry city integration. As a comprehensive residential and lifestyle area, Block 14 Phase I has an investment of approximately 1.8 billion dirhams and is located in the Dubai Silicon Valley Oasis, adjacent to the Dubai Metro Blue Line station. It is planned to be put into operation in conjunction with major public transportation projects in 2029.

Block 14 solves the pain points of traditional industrial parks being busy during the day and empty at night by creating high-quality residential communities and comprehensive living facilities, making technology talents willing to come and stay. From the perspective of spatial location, Block 14 is adjacent to the Blue Line subway station, reflecting the advanced TOD concept and closely connecting the industrial new area with the main urban area.

From the perspective of functional positioning, Block 14 will be equipped with various functions such as commercial, leisure, and social, forming a 24-hour dynamic micro city unit. Dubai Silicon Valley Oasis, as a professional economic zone with knowledge and innovation as its core, has currently settled about 28000 enterprises and a working and living population of about 90000 people. The addition of Block 14 will promote the transformation and upgrading of the region from an industrial functional zone to an industrial community.

Drive industrial ecology with policy innovation

Dubai has launched a package of industrial support policies in terms of policy support for its expansion. The support policies launched by District IO include: providing full process registration solutions and advanced government convenience services during the enterprise landing stage; Provide industry-specific laboratories and resource support for accessing universities and research networks during the R&D innovation phase; Introduce special capital investment during the funding support phase; Introduce flexible leasing and payment mechanisms during the operational management phase.

The most breakthrough is that under the RegLab regulatory framework, companies do not need to obtain an operating license in the UAE to use product testing laboratories, which provides valuable market response time for technology startups during critical stages of product development iteration.

At the project launch ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed and several senior officials attended together, highlighting the important position of the project at the national strategic level. DIEZ Chairman Sheikh Ahmed stated that this expansion is a key measure to strengthen the role of knowledge-based economy in supporting inclusive and sustainable growth. Keywords: Middle East News Network, Middle East News and Information

In today's increasingly fierce global technological competition, Dubai is attempting to build a future oriented industrial ecosystem through advanced infrastructure investment, scientific industrial and urban layout, and innovative institutional design, achieving a transition from a resource dependent economy to an innovation driven economy.Editor/Gao Xue