Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai has launched “Dubai Program for Gaming 2033”, an initiative that seeks to position the city among the top 10 cities in the global gaming industry.
The initiative is aimed at significantly increasing the sector’s contribution to the growth of the city’s digital economy and increasing the GDP by approximately $1bn by 2033.
It is expected to generate 30,000 new jobs in the gaming sector.
Sheikh Hamdan said, “Dubai will persist in aligning with global trends as it shapes and builds its digital economy, harnessing advanced technology and evaluating both current and forthcoming disruptions.”
The gaming programme was unveiled during a meeting of the Higher Committee for Future Technology and Digital Economy chaired by Sheikh Hamdan.
The meeting also saw the launch of three new initiatives under the “Dubai Metaverse Strategy”.
“The launch of these new initiatives demonstrates Dubai’s dedication to establishing a nurturing ecosystem for cutting-edge technological tools, solutions, and digital transformation,” said Sheikh Hamdan.
Dubai Program for Gaming 2033
The gaming programme seeks to establish an incubating environment for developers and to draw leading technology companies from across the globe, particularly those specialising in digital content and experiences.
It will offer support to developers, designers, programmers, as well as entrepreneurs and startups in the creative industries.
“Dubai is well-positioned to tap into the vast opportunities within the gaming sector, which is estimated at approximately $200bn globally. We are strategically positioned to contribute to the advancement of emerging trends such as VR and AI, elevating them to provide even more immersive and realistic experiences,” Sheikh Hamdan added.
The “Dubai Program for Gaming 2033”, which will be overseen by the Dubai Future Foundation , will focus on three main areas including talent, content, and tech. This is in line with various national strategies that aim to strengthen the UAE and Dubai’s digital economy.
The initiative aims to support entrepreneurs and innovators, as well as launch specialised educational and training programmes.
It will also provide opportunities for partnership and cooperation with individuals, companies and regulatory bodies locally, regionally and globally.
Three metaverse initiatives
Sheikh Hamdan also approved the launch of the “Metaverse Alliance”, “Metaverse Guidelines” and “Metaverse Pioneers” as part of the “Dubai Metaverse Strategy”, which aims to consolidate Dubai’s position as a world leader in metaverse development and a global hub for the metaverse community.
