Madar Research publishes first assessment of UAE knowledge economy

The 110-page United Arab Emirates Knowledge Economy 2006 provides an overview of where the seven emirates, individually and collectively, stand in terms of building the institutional, infrastructural and human resources components of a knowledge economy. It also outlines the roadmap the UAE is likely to follow in future as its leaders seek to create a niche for the country in the global economy.

The publication, which inaugurates a Knowledge Economy Series to be published periodically on Gulf Cooperation Council member states and other Arab countries, offers an easy read on a wealth of information, analyses and forecasts based on primary research data generated by Madar Research and secondary data gathered from official sources and global surveys from the World Bank and other sources.

The United Arab Emirates Knowledge Economy 2006 is testimony to the significant progress made in the UAE over the past few years as contrasted with that in Europe, according to Dr. Charles M. Savage, a Europe-based world authority on knowledge-based economy. "It seems as if Europe is abandoning its Lisbon Strategy, set in March of 2000, to 'become the leading knowledge economy by 2010'. It is a pity the business, academic and governmental communities in Europe are not watching the UAE more closely," he said.

"Madar Research has well captured the dynamism and drive to remake the UAE society, as it lets go of the industrial model and embraces a 'knowledge economy' approach. It is truly exciting to see what is possible if the will is there. As an active European member of AKEA, the Arabian Knowledge Economy Association, I have become fascinated by the best side of the Arab world. I hope many in Europe and the Americas will not only read this well-written report, but also begin to ask, could we do something like this in our own countries," remarked Dr. Savage, who is also a Madar Research Advisory Board member.

Dr. Savage, who believes that a major impediment to knowledge economy progress is that "we are still children of the 'Industrial way of life', said: "Of course, the real key to the knowledge economy is not just the technological developments, but it is when we actively value the knowledge in one another and thereby awaken the energy of meaningful interaction."

Abdul Kader Kamli, president and research director of Madar Research said: "We have chosen to start the knowledge economy series with the UAE since it is the one country most likely to lead the economic transformation in the Arab world according to our findings and those made by the World Bank, and thus it can set a model for the rest to follow or to use in part as they develop their own models."

The United Arab Emirates Knowledge Economy 2006 also highlights aspects of weakness and strength in UAE's knowledge economy base, in addition to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

"UAE Knowledge Economy 2006 will be a valuable reference not only for policy makers and top government executives in the UAE, but also for potential investors, business communities and researchers," said Kamli.

Among major topics covered by the United Arab Emirates Knowledge Economy 2006 are economic performance indicators, information society infrastructure, innovation systems, education systems, economic incentive regime, e-government, e-learning, e-commerce, information and communication technology (ICT) use in the financial sector, ICT market and business environment and lifestyle. The research work also discusses socio-economic challenges faced by the UAE.

Over 50,000 copies in English and Arabic languages will be distributed in print and electronic formats to government officials, business leaders and the media in the UAE and the region. The United Arab Emirates Knowledge Economy 2006 is mainly sponsored by TECOM Investments, in addition to Samsung and Huawei.

An electronic copy (PDF) of United Arab Emirates Knowledge Economy 2006 is available for free download at www.madarresearch.com. Dubai Media City-based Madar Research, which is the region's only B2B research firm dedicated to the knowledge economy, has over the past two years released a complete study in three separate volumes about Dubai, which maps out the emirate's emergence as a digital economy up to 2008.