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DIFC launches metaverse platform to attract tech innovators

By Pramod Kumar
WAM
White-collar workers in banking, finance and the UAE's booming startup sector are helping to grow Dubai's economy

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has launched the “DIFC Metaverse Platform” to attract global technology innovators.

The new platform is aligned with the Dubai metaverse strategy, which aims to add $4 billion to Dubai’s GDP, DIFC said in a statement. 

The strategy aims to create 40,000 virtual jobs by 2030 and attract 1,000 companies specialised in blockchain and metaverse technologies.

The platform also supports the objective of the recently launched Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to generate annual economic value worth AED100 billion from digital transformation.

Omar Sultan Al Olama, minister of state for artificial intelligence, digital economy and remote work applications, said that the metaverse platform is the first in a series of initiatives to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global platform for the latest digital trends.

The “Metaverse Accelerator Programme”, the first initiative to be launched under the platform’s umbrella, will start accepting applications this month, the statement said.

In the coming years, the programme seeks to attract more than 500 applications, identify 50 of the most promising graduates, and stimulate investment opportunities to help the sector grow.

The programme will run over a period of six months, during which the cohort of startups will be introduced to training and workshops to upskill and reskill themselves in both technical and intrapersonal aspects of the metaverse.

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