His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum:

• The 3D Printing Strategic Alliance is a platform that unifies all entities working in this vital sector
• It contributes in realizing the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
• The Strategic Alliance is a comprehensive and strategic network that brings together government entities, academia, research centers and companies specializing in 3D printing in the UAE and across the world
• We want Dubai to be a global reference point for 3D printing technology
• Our goal is to accelerate the adoption and use of this emerging technology to support all governmental, economic, health and scientific sectors in Dubai and the world at large
• We will create a virtual strategic network in collaboration with the private sector to share knowledge, expertise and capabilities
• This alliance will facilitate immediate response to government needs in the event of crises and achieve self-sufficiency moving forward

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), launched today the 3D Printing Strategic Alliance, a first of its kind step in the region and the world. The Strategic Alliance aims to create a comprehensive network of government entities, academia and 3D printing companies in the UAE and the world, placing the UAE as a leading 3D printing manufacturing hub. The Strategic Alliance will aim to produce a wide range of supplies, products and services within vital sectors in order to meet the market needs and achieve self-sufficiency.

The announcement was made during His Highness’s visit to Dubai Future Foundation’s headquarters in Emirates Towers. He was accompanied by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group, His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and the Future, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation, His Excellency Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Digital Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Remote Work Applications, and Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Future Foundation, and His Excellency Khalfan Juma Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation.

In a tweet from his official Twitter account, His Highness said: “Today we launched the 3D Printing Strategic Alliance to provide a platform that unites all entities working in this vital sector. Our goal is to accelerate the adoption and use of this emerging technology to support all governmental, economic, health and scientific sectors in Dubai and the world.

He added: “Through the Alliance and in cooperation with 3D printing companies, we will enhance our industrial capabilities, secure our basic needs and create new production lines based on the employment of future technology. We will also create a strategic virtual network of a joint capacity with the private sector in order to ensure immediate response to local needs during crises and achieve self-sufficiency.

His Highness directed the creation and establishment of a dedicated district for the development, testing and employment of 3D printing technology, which sees to host a group of research centers, international companies, startups, applied engineering and business accelerator programs for this emerging technology. The district will further house the largest state of the art warehouse in the region for the storage and distribution of 3D printing materials and products, contributing to strengthening the role and the partnership of government and private entities, startups and entrepreneurs in deploying 3D printing technology to develop various economic and future sectors in Dubai and the world.

“We want Dubai to be a global reference for 3D printing technology worldwide in the coming years by strengthening public-private partnership.”

His Highness stressed that the 3D Printing Strategic Alliance builds on the outcomes of the Dubai 3D Printing Strategy. Launched in 2016 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the strategy aims to leverage this promising technology to benefit society and boost the performance of key sectors.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum directed the Dubai Future Foundation team to work closely with Dubai Future District partners, innovation technology labs and all 3D printing-related entities in Dubai, the UAE and the world to strengthen their role in the Strategic Alliance which is a global model based on harnessing innovative experiences and minds.

The 3D Printing Strategic Alliance includes Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai Health Authority, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Road and Transportation Authority, Khalifa University, Higher Colleges of Technology and in addition to ten international and local 3D printing technology companies.

A strategic network to meet current and future challenges

The 3D Printing Strategic Alliance provides a strategic network to respond to the requirements of various sectors in times of crises through public-private cooperation, utilizing manufacturing capabilities and developing enabling legislation to ensure self-sufficiency during challenging times.

In addition, the Alliance will also facilitate necessary approvals and access for developing 3D printed products, to encourage stakeholders to achieve high levels of productivity to meet current needs, and provide sufficient stocks for the future.

3D printing versus global health challenges

In the initial stage, the Strategic Alliance will focus on increasing capacity for manufacturing medical supplies and equipment in the UAE through establishing 3D printed production lines in record time to meet the surge in demand for such equipment. In doing so, it supports the country’s efforts to create a locally produced stock of medical supplies for frontline medical practitioners The health sector is also witnessing an increasing demand for medical equipment, including protective kits, scanners, respirators, masks, and laboratory supplies, among others.

Dubai 3D Printing Strategy

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the ‘Dubai 3D Printing Strategy’, a unique global initiative that aims to leverage technology in the service of humanity and to promote the status of the UAE and Dubai as a world-leading 3D printing hub by the year 2030.

The strategy adopts an emerging technology that will help achieve cost efficiency in multiple sectors, especially in the medical and construction sectors in Dubai. The technology will restructure economies and labor markets, and redefine productivity.