Under the visionary guidance of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai is solidifying its status as a global hub for advanced manufacturing industries. Recently, Sheikh Ahmad bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Chairman of Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), inaugurated the official headquarters and the first manufacturing facility of Kerno Enterprises in Dubai Silicon Oasis, a specialized economic zone for knowledge and innovation. This pivotal event marks a significant step forward in enhancing Dubai’s appeal as a destination for companies in advanced industries.
Inauguration at Dubai Silicon Oasis
His Highness Sheikh Ahmad bin Saeed Al Maktoum attended the grand opening alongside notable figures, including His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, and Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni, CEO of DIEZ. They were joined by Christopher Caswell, co-founder and CEO of Kerno Enterprises, along with various government and private sector officials. Sheikh Ahmad took a tour of the new facility, exploring the advanced production lines, assembly stages, quality assurance measures, and the array of solutions being developed in fields such as AI servers, high-performance computing, enterprise servers, and storage systems.
Commitment to Technological Sovereignty
Sheikh Ahmad emphasized Dubai’s commitment to being a global destination for technology companies and advanced industries, attributing this progress to the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. “The opening of Kerno Enterprises’ headquarters and manufacturing facility is a qualitative addition to the advanced manufacturing ecosystem in Dubai and the UAE,” he stated. He further noted the importance of investing in knowledge-based and innovative sectors, highlighting that advanced technological manufacturing is crucial for building the economy of the future and supporting the diversification goals outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33).
A Diverse and Competitive Economy
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al-Zeyoudi reiterated the significance of the new Kerno Enterprises facility, stating, “It represents an essential step in the UAE’s journey towards building a more diverse and competitive economy rooted in knowledge, innovation, and advanced technology.” He pointed out the UAE’s capability to attract high-value investments in future economy sectors and transform them into industrial and technological projects that enhance the national economy’s value addition.
Growing Role of Dubai Silicon Oasis
Dr. Mohammed Alzarooni highlighted the growing significance of Dubai Silicon Oasis as a specialized platform for tech-driven companies. “The establishment of Kerno Enterprises illustrates DIEZ’s capacity to attract quality investments supporting future sectors, providing companies with a comprehensive environment for growth and development,” he remarked. This new facility aims to bolster local technological manufacturing capacities and prepare Dubai for the digital economy and AI future.
High Production Capacity
Kerno Enterprises’ facility boasts an impressive production capacity exceeding 60,000 technology products annually, covering areas such as AI high-performance servers, comprehensive servers, edge computing servers, and fully developed x86 platforms within the nation, in addition to sensitive task enterprise storage systems.
Ideal Business Environment
Christopher Caswell expressed that the opening of their manufacturing facility at Dubai Silicon Oasis is a pivotal milestone for Kerno. “This underscores our commitment to developing and manufacturing advanced technology devices within the UAE, aligning with national goals in advanced manufacturing and the digital economy,” he stated. Caswell highlighted that choosing the oasis as their location is due to its reputation as a leading center for knowledge, innovation, and future technologies, thus fostering a conducive environment for advanced tech companies.
Dubai Silicon Oasis, part of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) alongside Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) and Dubai CommerCity, offers an integrated ecosystem for tech companies, entrepreneurs, and innovators, showcasing advanced infrastructure and a supportive business environment for knowledge and innovation-driven sectors.