Strong efforts in the field of smart solutions are required to accelerate the implementation of the goals of UAE Vision 2021, said His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

He added that the best smart technologies should be implemented across all sectors, especially the construction industry. Speaking during the launch of the ‘Smart Buildability Index’, Shaikh Mohammed also highlighted the importance of standardisation in the construction industry across the UAE.

“Such Indexes should be developed to ensure standards in the UAE are on par with the highest international benchmarks. Standardisation is a positive step that will enable major construction projects to better serve the citizens of the UAE, help them achieve happiness and promote further national progress and prosperity,” he said.

He further noted the UAE will continue to pioneer the implementation of smart solutions and best practices to enhance its services and development sectors. “We aim not only to achieve new levels of success, but also to be at the forefront of any development trend and become a model for the world to follow,” Shaikh Mohammed said, adding that he has great confidence in the ability of the UAE people to achieve any goal set by the country. Shaikh Mohammed witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Federal Demographic Council, federal ministries and the municipalities of the seven emirates, to commence the implementation of the new index across the UAE.

The signing ceremony was attended by Shaikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Lt. General Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Federal Demographic Council; Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Foundation, and a number of ministers and senior officials. Shaikh Saif bin Zayed stressed the importance of developing innovative solutions to meet future challenges and encouraged UAE citizens to drive the development of a competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy. He also noted the great strides made by the UAE to achieve the objectives of the national agenda, which are in line with the vision of the Vice President.

He further stressed that innovation will help achieve the targets of the post-oil economic programme set by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The ‘Smart Buildability Index’, an initiative of the Federal Demographic Council, aims to standardise building designs that adopt modern building techniques such as 3D printing and use locally manufactured steel structures, pre-fabricated pillars and walls. The Index seeks to promote the use of techniques and materials that accelerate construction processes, increase productivity and rationalise the use of unskilled labour.

The Index will be gradually introduced to construction projects of above 2000 square metres starting from early 2017.

Source: www.khaleejtimes.com