PC: PR Newswire
KICC UAE marks South Korea’s first Middle East hub, bolsters tech cooperation at GITEX Global 2024.
The National IT Industry Promotion Agency, an agency of the South Korean government, opened its Korea IT Cooperation Centre UAE (KICC UAE) in Dubai Internet City. Held on the sidelines of GITEX Global 2024 at the Dubai World Trade Centre between October 14-18, this move speaks to why Dubai is growing in importance as a global business gateway. It will be NIPA’s first centre in the Middle East and its sixth around the world other than its hub in Silicon Valley, Singapore, India, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City.
The KICC UAE was established on a Memorandum of Understanding agreed upon at GITEX Global 2023 between NIPA and Dubai Internet City. Its foundation is to deepen the relationship between Korean tech firms with innovators in the Middle East through a collaborative entrepreneurship platform, talent development, and investment partnerships.
Located at Dubai Internet City, the centre is part of the portfolio of TECOM Group PJSC, a strategic partner with GITEX Global. The 6,535 sq. ft space consists of private offices and co-working areas along with a dedicated showroom. Seven resident Korean tech companies will occupy the facility from day one, including Wrtn Technologies, DeepNoid, CoreMovement, and others. Four major events are scheduled for 2025.
Deepening Bilateral Relationships
KICC UAE will provide some of Korea’s leading tech companies with critical insights and preparation to enter the Middle East market. With this key government entity and industry partnership tie-up, the centre is now ready to serve as a conduit for South Korean companies seeking expansion opportunities in the region.
Among others who attended the inauguration are Vice Minister Kang Do-hyun of the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT, who further emphasised how important the centre is, saying it marks a major milestone for the digital sector. “This centre is a huge step for the industry which is to move digital forward. I sound very optimistic concerning the various possibilities that this centre can create between innovators of both sides, which would be working on global challenges,” said Sung-Wook Hur, President of NIPA.
The relations between the UAE and South Korea have lately become more vigorous. They have finally resulted in the signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in May 2024. This CEPA reflects the strategic policy of the UAE to double its foreign non-oil trade up to AED 4 trillion by 2031 based on the current bilateral trade volume of AED 19.4 billion for the year 2023.
Growing Role Dubai Internet City
Dubai Internet City is hosting over 3,500 companies and 29,000 tech professionals in its capabilities to make itself play the biggest role in the digital transformation of this region. The district ranks among the world’s key players in the tech universe as the home base for global tech giants such as Google and Microsoft, not to mention the revolutionary ride-hailing company Careem.
According to him, Ammar Al Malik Executive Vice President of Commercial at TECOM Group PJSC and Managing Director of Dubai Internet City, welcomed KICC UAE in the district’s vision for the promotion of tech innovation and contribution to the global knowledge economy, as needed by the Economic Agenda D33 of Dubai.
The new centre will further cement Dubai Internet City’s position as a flagship location and critical hub for technology-driven enterprises, continue to build strategic partnerships, and nurture talent for sustained growth.”
