The UAE has launched a major new programme to develop talent, expertise and innovation in the field of coding in collaboration with top tech firms including Google, Microsoft and Facebook, among others.

The National Program for Coders will seek to foster the growth of the digital economy in the country, said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

It will seek to accelerate the adoption of digital applications and tools in various economic sectors by promoting close links and interaction between coders, public and private organisations, as well as academic entities.

“Today we launched the National Program for Coders in collaboration with Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Cisco, IBM, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), LinkedIn, Nvidia and Facebook, with the aim of training and attracting 100,000 coders, establishing 1,000 digital companies within five years and increasing investment in startups from Dhs1.5bn to Dhs4bn,” Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter.

The programme will operate under the supervision of the UAE Artificial Intelligence Office.

The National Program for Coding will also grant golden visas to 100,000 of the world’s best coders. It will also provide a range of financing options to entrepreneurs and coders, support the implementation of their projects and ideas, and establish digital companies to promote the competitiveness of the national economy, a statement said.

In its next phase, the programme will invite coders from around the world to find innovative solutions to 100 government, economic, technological, health and services challenges and help accelerate the adoption of modern technologies. It will also organise 10 hackathons.
A global campaign called #UAE_Codes will be launched to highlight the UAE’s efforts in attracting the world’s best coding professionals. It will also provide services and encourage coders to find jobs and establish startups in the UAE.