UAE Ministry of Economy opens a virtual office in the metaverse

The UAE Ministry of Economy is building a headquarters in the metaverse. The news was revealed on Wednesday by Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri during the panel discussion at the Dubai Metaverse Assembly.

The metaverse HQ is the third office of the Ministry of Economy; the two physical offices are based in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It will offer an immersive experience for governments, corporations, and the public, with the purpose of connecting and collaborating. In the headquarters, there’s also an auditorium that hosts virtual conferences and various events.

The Minister also said the virtual office would be equipped with innovative technology for signing bilateral agreements with other governmental institutions in the metaverse. It will also “bolster the UAE’s ability to become a global hub for next-generation technologies.”

“With advanced physical and digital infrastructure, the UAE can build on its position as a gateway for global trade to become a digital export center and a leading metaverse economy,”

Al Marri said.

The Dubai Metaverse Assembly had more than 20,000 visitors on the first day (September 28). Attendees could enjoy a live tour of the virtual headquarters, a multiple-story building, and each floor would have a different purpose. Khalifa Al Jiziri, the representative of the ministry in the metaverse, explained that to enter the virtual office, visitors need to get a virtual ticket or a token. Then, a notification is sent to the customer happiness center to let the visitor enter the Ministry of Economy in the metaverse.

The Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, launched the Dubai Metaverse Strategy in July. The goal is to support 40,000 virtual jobs and add $4 billion to Dubai’s economy in five years. Dubai also aims to attract 1,000 companies specializing in blockchain technology and the metaverse. The Dubai Metaverse Assembly was the first organized event of its kind.