Hamdan bin Mohammed Unveils ‘Dubai Gaming 2033 Program’

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, as well as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), has given the green light to the “Dubai Program for Gaming 2033.” This initiative aims to position Dubai among the top 10 cities in the global gaming industry and generate 30,000 new jobs in the gaming sector.

The program also has the ambitious goal of significantly enhancing the sector’s contribution to the growth of Dubai’s digital economy, with a target of increasing the GDP by approximately US$1 billion by 2033. This announcement was made during a meeting of the Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy, which was presided over by Sheikh Hamdan. The meeting also marked the launch of three new initiatives under the “Dubai Metaverse Strategy.”

Sheikh Hamdan emphasized Dubai’s commitment to aligning with global trends in shaping its digital economy, utilizing advanced technology, and preparing for current and forthcoming disruptions. This commitment is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, to ensure Dubai’s position as one of the most future-ready cities worldwide.

The “Dubai Program for Gaming 2033” seeks to create an incubating environment for developers and attract leading technology companies, particularly those specializing in digital content and experiences. This program will provide support to developers, designers, programmers, entrepreneurs, and startups in the creative industries. Dubai is strategically positioned to tap into the vast opportunities within the estimated US$200 billion global gaming sector, contributing to the advancement of emerging trends like VR and AI for more immersive experiences.

Managed by the Dubai Future Foundation, the “Dubai Program for Gaming 2033” will focus on three key areas: talent, content, and tech, in alignment with various national strategies aimed at strengthening the UAE and Dubai’s digital economy. The initiative aims to create a global platform in Dubai, bringing together digital content creators, providing training and job opportunities through partnerships with international companies, universities, and academic institutions. It will also support entrepreneurs and innovators, along with launching specialized educational and training programs.

The “Dubai Program for Gaming 2033” will encompass various initiatives, including local and international events and exhibitions. It will facilitate opportunities for partnerships and cooperation with individuals, companies, and regulatory bodies locally, regionally, and globally.

Three Metaverse Initiatives

During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan approved the launch of the “Metaverse Alliance,” “Metaverse Guidelines,” and “Metaverse Pioneers” as part of the “Dubai Metaverse Strategy.” This strategy aims to solidify Dubai’s position as a world leader in metaverse development and a global hub for the metaverse community.

“Metaverse Alliance” is a global network that includes various government entities, international technology companies, entrepreneurs, and startups specializing in the metaverse world. This alliance aims to foster collaborations and partnerships for global and national projects centered around virtual worlds or interactions. It will identify suitable partners among global technology companies, startups, and talented individuals. The alliance will also facilitate the delivery of global technological solutions for local projects, enhancing government services and introducing innovative technologies.

“Metaverse Guidelines” seeks to identify impactful metaverse applications and provide a comprehensive framework for Dubai government entities to regulate and define optimal uses of the metaverse in government work.

“Metaverse Pioneers” is a comprehensive program designed to equip Dubai government employees with the essential skills and tools to leverage metaverse technology in their professional capacities. The program includes in-depth content on the metaverse concept, its uses, and applications, along with events, training sessions, and workshops organized by Digital Dubai to explore future opportunities aligned with this emerging technology.

“Create Apps in Dubai”

Sheikh Hamdan was also briefed on the latest updates of the projects and initiatives launched within the framework of the Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy. This includes the “Create Apps in Dubai” initiative, which has attracted and trained 500 Emirati talents in mobile application development. Launched in March 2023 and overseen by the Dubai Chamber for the Digital Economy, this initiative aims to enhance the technological skills of 1,000 talented Emiratis and support the launch of their mobile applications, contributing to the growth of Dubai’s mobile application market.

64,000 SMEs on Amazon’s UAE Store

The meeting highlighted the achievements of Amazon’s initiative to feature products from 100,000 small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) on its UAE store by 2026. Since its launch in March 2023, the platform has seen 14,000 new companies registering, representing a remarkable 28% increase in less than six months. The total number of participating companies now stands at 64,000.

“Metaverse Accelerator Program”

Participants in the meeting reviewed the future plans of the “Metaverse Accelerator Program,” launched by Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) in January 2023, aligning with the “Dubai Metaverse Strategy.” The program has attracted more than 250 applications from the UAE and around the world, focusing on gaming, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and Web 3. It has graduated 10 regional and international startups as part of its first batch.