"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," world-renowned authority Dr. Charles M. Savage says,
commenting on the United Arab Emirates Knowledge Economy 2006 - the first
report in a unique research-based series that targets international entrepreneurs
and Arab policy makers
July 19, 2006
Madar Research Group has published the first complete assessment of the
United Arab Emirates' progress towards a knowledge-based 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.
