Sharjah makes a bold statement in leading the UAE into a bright digital future on final day of region’s largest ICT event 

Sharjah, UAE, 22 October 2016:  Sharjah has made a bold statement of its intention to lead the Emirate into a bright digital future with the launch of an array of e-government applications and digital services at the conclusion of GITEX Technology Week 2016. 

Thirty-five government agencies and departments participating under the umbrella of the emirate’s unified pavilion used all 5 days of the region’s largest technology exhibition to release new applications, digital services and innovative technologies designed to optimize user experiences and facilitate strategic digital ventures with Sharjah Government Services.

'Our participation at GITEX - the world's third largest ICT trade fair – enabled us to showcase the global standard of our e-services. The local government departments taking part at the Sharjah pavilion have worked dedicatedly to develop these initiatives in line with the directives of our wise leadership, which aim to create the highest levels of satisfaction in citizens and residents and to ensure the welfare of the community,” said Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of Sharjah Department of eGovernment (DeG), organisers of the Sharjah pavilion.

Al Qasimi highlighted that Sharjah government’s local bodies and departments used GITEX as a strategic platform to launch 16 applications, seven new or updated websites, 10 new e-services and more than 50 online and digital services. The authority, which works to improve the digital capacity of Sharjah’s range of government departments, also announced that four cooperation agreements were signed with local bodies at the exhibition - three by the department itself - in a concerted drive to create the best environment for service users and to ensure convenience for them at all times.  

Among the services launched at the Sharjah pavilion was a Sharjah Police drone, named ‘Sakhab,’ which functions as a guide for crowds and individuals to take safe evacuations in emergency situations. Two additional services launched by Sharjah Police included the ‘Observer’ radar device to detect and record road lane violations in addition to ‘VR Decision,’ which provides detailed 360-degree images that support decision makers in emergencies and during security concerns.

Among other technologies that visitors were able to view at the Sharjah pavilion was a system to order a taxi with just one click, a service unveiled by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority. The device - the first of its kind in the Middle East - will be available in 50 different locations in Sharjah, including museums and major markets. It works by sending a request for a taxi according to its spatial coordinates, with the vehicle’s proximity displayed on the customers mobile screen. 

Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority also revealed its latest digital innovation at the pavilion, ‘the Sharjah interactive transparent screen,’ which provides tourists the opportunity to learn about Sharjah and to explore its landmarks and attractions. The authority also unveiled Virtual Reality (VR) glasses that allow the wearer to virtually tour Sharjah and its tourist landmarks.

Also launched at the Sharjah pavilion were two new digital services from the emirate’s Finance Department, the first of which was ‘Hololens’ that utilises VR glasses that allow the department’s management to review data, figures and information related to budgets, financial reports and other information. The glasses provide interactive information, including the user’s ability to accurately and efficiently browse data in real time.

Sharjah’s Department of Islamic Affairs unveiled a kiosk device that allows worshippers to report technical malfunctions at mosques in a speedy fashion by filling in the details and location of the problem, thereby enabling prompt resolution. For its turn, Sharjah Environment Company (Bee'ah) showcased its Wi-Fi supported solar-powered waste bins that provide energy to an internal compactor, which allows the bins to collect five-times more garbage before needing to be emptied.

'The various innovative technologies, services and smart applications showcased at the Sharjah pavilion were not created overnight but are the fruit of a visionary strategy embraced by local government departments over many years. We will not be resting on our laurels and will continue to build on these strong foundations in order to raise the status of the emirate of Sharjah and the UAE, to which we are proud to belong,” added Sheikh Khalid Al Qasimi.

During the five-day GITEX exhibition, the Sharjah pavilion received a number of dignitaries and VIPs, most notably Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Marine Sports Club and Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah Media Centre. The stand also received official delegations and representatives of companies and organisations, the foremost being Dubai Smart City, whose delegation was led by Her Excellency Dr. Ayesha Bin Bishr, Director General of the Smart Dubai office. Other delegations visiting the pavilion included Ajman government, led by Ohoud Shuhail, Director of Ajman eGovernment; Umm Al Quwain eGovernment, headed by Eng. Khalid Sultan Al Shamsi; the Ministry of Emiratisation and Human Resources and Etisalat Telecommunication Corporation (Etisalat).  

GITEX Technology Week 2016 took place from October 16-20 at Dubai World Trade Centre and hosted 4,200 exhibitors from 144 countries and 22,000 senior executives. The exhibition, which offered a leading platform for companies to launch their latest ICT innovations and e-services, drew more than 146,000 visitors over its five days. GITEX is a gateway for leading global brands to the Middle East, one of the fastest emerging investment-ready ICT markets.