NEWS
Cisco working to
‘connect minds’
around the
world’ at Expo
2020 Dubai
Orange Business Services
regional HQ in Dubai Silicon
Oasis officially opened
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (right),
Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher
Committee, with Shukri Eid, Managing
Director – East Region, Cisco Middle East
E
xpo 2020 Dubai has teamed up with
Cisco to ensure that the first World Expo
to be held in the Middle East region leaves
a lasting impact. Cisco will provide its latest
innovations that enable the exploration of
new possibilities for a sustainable future.
Expo 2020 will take place between October
20 2020 and April 10 2021 and organisers
expect nearly 25 million visits, 70% from
outside the UAE. Expo 2020 Dubai and
Cisco will work to deliver a global event
that will demonstrate how connectivity
can be a force for good, in alignment with
the event’s theme ‘Connecting Minds,
Creating the Future.’ As the next World
Expo’s Digital Network Partner, Cisco will
provide the secure, intelligent foundation
for connectivity through its intent-based
networking solution, making Expo 2020’s
technology infrastructure the most
advanced in the event’s 167 year history.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al
Maktoum, Chairman of the Expo 2020
Dubai Higher Committee, said: “Dubai is
rapidly becoming one of the smartest and
most connected cities in the world, exploring
futuristic solutions that range from driverless
vehicles to artificial intelligence solutions.
“At Expo 2020, we hope not only to share
the expertise we have acquired across these
areas, but also, through our partnership
with Cisco, to connect minds around the
world and capture the many opportunities
made possible through collaboration.”
8
INTELLIGENTCIO
Sheikh Ahmed with Dr Zarooni and French
Ambassador and Orange executives
H
is Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed
Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai
Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), has
officially inaugurated Orange Business
Services’ new Middle East innovation hub
and regional business headquarters at
the Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO).
The official opening ceremony was
attended by: Dr Mohammed Alzarooni,
Vice Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority;
Thierry Bonhomme, CEO of Orange
Business Services; Ludovic Pouille; the
French ambassador to the UAE; and
senior officials from both entities.
Orange Business Services brings its
global capabilities, experience and R&D
resources with a start-up approach
to DSO. Orange is already one of six
partners and co-sponsors of the Dubai
Smart City Accelerator (DSCA), which
was launched by Dubai Silicon Oasis
Authority in 2017 and operated by
start-upbootcamp that fuels start-ups
with mentorship, product modelling,
and preparation for go-to-market.
The new regional hub includes a
solutions showroom, presenting, and
demonstrating Orange Business Services’
smart solutions portfolio and capabilities
in a user-friendly space, designed to
stimulate innovation.
Dr Mohammed Alzarooni said: “We are
pleased to welcome Orange Business
Services, the global communications
solutions provider and integrator for
multinational corporations with expertise
in smart city consulting, to DSO as the
latest of our distinguished partners and
stakeholders. Orange Business Services
counts as the newest addition to more
than 74 French businesses that operate
out of the hub.”
www.intelligentcio.com