Dubai Launches Strategic Alliance to Enhance Ongoing 3D Printing Strategy

Home to numerous billionaires and cops driving Lamborghinis, Dubai is an international city known for lavish wealth, culture, and architecture—including not just the world’s tallest building (the Burj Khalifa) but also the world’s largest 3D printed building. The government is also fond of creating different groups to pull together high-tech ambitions, such as the 3D Printing Strategic Alliance, just launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) board chairman, to build upon the multi-tiered Dubai 3D Printing Strategy.

The opening ceremony to announce the alliance was held in Emirates Towers at the headquarters for DFF, with the following officials in attendance:

• Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group
• Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and The Future, and DFF Vice Chairman and Managing Director
• Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Teleworking Applications
• DFF Deputy Managing besides its CEO Khalfan Juma Belhoul and other officials

The first 3D printed office building at the Dubai Future Foundation (Image from “Dubai Inaugurates First 3D Printed Office Building, Constructed in 17 Days“)

The new network is meant to tie together numerous government organizations, academic factions, and 3D printing companies not only in the United Arab Emirates, but around the world, and is made up of:

• Dubai Future Foundation
• Dubai Health Authority
• Dubai Municipality
• Dubai Police
• Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
• Roads and Transportation Authority
• Khalifa University
• Higher Colleges of Technology
• Ten international and local 3D printing technology companies

“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,” stated Sheikh Hamdan. “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.”

There are also be plans to build a Dubai Future District. It will include a warehouse for storage and distribution of 3D printing materials—meant to solidify use of the technology in government and private offices, for startups, and other small businesses—as well as expanding the UAE’s current role as a 3D printing manufacturing hub for the production of supplies, parts, services, and other market needs.

The alliance is also meant to create a cohesive group for supporting different sectors of the UAE during crises, making use of potential manufacturing abilities, as well as following through with legislation that will encourage self-sufficiency as required. Building upon the original strategy also means following through with supporting infrastructure in terms of 3D printing development, handling regulatory issues, funding projects, finding the best talent in terms of design, innovation, and engineering, and promoting high-quality 3D printed products commercially.

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