Deputy Ruler of Dubai H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum received on Tuesday Ginni Rometty, President and Chief Executive Officer of IBM, where they discussed latest trends in the field of Information Technology and software industry, and their impact on the future of global economic development.

They also discussed how IT solutions enhance efficiency of government services, and how Dubai utilizes these solutions to steer its development requirements toward a smart model to further enhance the efficiency of the governmental sector ensuring the highest levels of customers’ satisfaction.

HH Sheikh Maktoum was also briefed about the prospects of cooperation between Dubai and IBM, which has been operating in the region for more than six decades. IBM was among the first companies to join "Dubai Internet City" when it was launched more than 15 years ago, establishing its regional headquarter through which it operates its operations in the Middle East region. Sheikh Maktoum was also briefed about the future expansion plans of the firm in the region, with particular focus on supporting talents and enhancing innovation, through its dedicated centre announced lately in Dubai.

They also discussed collaboration between Smart Dubai Government and IBM in terms of developing government services, which was translated earlier in the launch of Cognitive Center of Competence in Dubai to develop cognitive citizen services across the Emirate; which aims to equip the next generation of professionals with sought-after skills around analytics, cloud, mobility, to support Dubai’s innovation policy in the governmental sector.

Ginni Rometty praised the UAE’s determination and clear objectives to become one of the most advanced countries in the world. She also lauded the quality initiatives that Dubai deploy through advanced technologies in order to serve its comprehensive development objectives, including Dubai Future Accelerators. She said Dubai was setting a model for investment in advanced technology infrastructure.

Secretary-General of the Executive Council of Dubai Abdulla Al Shaibani, Ahmad Bin Byat, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Dubai Holding, as well as other senior officials attended the meeting that was held at the Executive Office in Dubai.