Full Interview: Mohamed Al Mubarak, Chairman, Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi

Summary

In a CNBC interview, the UAE's official discusses a new $6 billion plan as part of a broader strategy launched in 2019 to bolster the cultural and creative industries (CCI). The strategy includes policy changes, infrastructure investment, incentives, and stimulus packages to support the CCI ecosystem in Abu Dhabi. With a focus on job creation and societal contribution, the plan aims to transform Abu Dhabi into a hub for creatives, fostering content creation across various media. The official also addresses the post-COVID economy, emphasizing health and safety measures, and highlights opportunities for foreign investors in the growing CCI sector.

Takeaways

• 💼 The UAE's new plan involves investing up to six billion dollars in the cultural and creative industries (CCI) as part of a broader strategy launched in 2019.
• 🌟 Abu Dhabi aims to become a major contributor to the GDP through the CCI sector, which includes media, gaming, performing arts, visual arts, film, and television.
• 🔄 The strategy includes policy changes, infrastructure investments, incentives, and stimulus packages to support and expand the CCI ecosystem in Abu Dhabi.
• 🏙️ The Department of Cultural Tourism is integrating media and gaming into the CCI strategy, aiming to govern the entire CCI ecosystem with a unified vision.
• 🌐 The plan is set in a post-COVID economy and focuses on job creation, societal contribution, and economic growth through the CCI sector.
• 💡 The investment is projected to create over 30,000 jobs in the media sector over the next two years, with the current workforce in the CCI sector at around 20,000.
• 🌍 Opportunities for foreign investors are highlighted, with the development of studio cities and creative hubs in Abu Dhabi to attract international and local institutions for content production.
• 📜 Abu Dhabi has implemented policies to attract investors and creatives, including long-term creative visas, golden visas, and investment protection policies.
• 🛡️ The AlHassan app is used for health monitoring, with a color-coded system (green, gray, red) to ensure safety in public spaces, not requiring vaccination but encouraging it.
• 📈 The UAE is adapting to the pandemic by evolving travel restrictions and health measures, with a focus on the health and security of its residents and visitors.
• 🤝 The interviewee views regional developments in Saudi Arabia and Dubai as complementary rather than competitive, emphasizing the potential for joint tourism packages and shared growth.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the new plan involving an investment of up to six billion dollars?

The new plan focuses on the cultural and creative industries (CCI) sector, aiming to make Abu Dhabi a major contributor to the GDP and a hub for creatives in various fields such as performing arts, visual arts, film, television, and gaming.

When was the strategy for the CCI sector first launched?

The strategy for the CCI sector was first launched in 2019, with a clear vision for the sector's contribution to the UAE's economy and societal development.

How does the integration of media and gaming fit into the CCI strategy?

The integration of media and gaming is a major part of the CCI strategy, as it helps to govern the entire CCI ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and brings together various creative powers under one unified vision and path to success.

What is the current economic contribution of the CCI sector in Abu Dhabi?

The CCI sector has already seen substantial investment and policy changes, with over 30 billion dollars planned to be invested in infrastructure, incentives, policy changes, and stimulus packages to support and expand the ecosystem in Abu Dhabi.

How does the post-COVID-19 economy factor into the CCI strategy?

The strategy considers the post-COVID-19 economy by focusing on job creation, GDP contribution, and societal contribution, aiming to transition from being a content consumer to a content creator in various creative fields.

What are the current employment figures in the CCI sector in Abu Dhabi, and what are the projections for the next few years?

Currently, around 20,000 people are working in the CCI sector in Abu Dhabi. The goal is to add another 15,000 jobs to the sector over the next three to four years.

What opportunities does the CCI strategy present for foreign investors?

The strategy offers immense opportunities for foreign investors, particularly in media, gaming, and television, with the development of infrastructure like the creative hub on Yas Island and Studio City in Abu Dhabi.

What policies have been implemented to make Abu Dhabi more attractive for investors and creatives?

Policies such as long-term creative visas, golden visas, investment protection policies, and other incentives have been implemented to attract investors and creatives to Abu Dhabi.

How does the recent move requiring vaccination or a recent PCR test for entering public spaces in Abu Dhabi fit into the strategy?

This move is part of the broader health and safety measures to ensure the well-being of the populace and visitors, providing a secure environment that can boost confidence in the economy and the CCI sector.

How does the situation with the UK's red designation affect the tourism strategy of Abu Dhabi?

While the UK's red designation may pose challenges, Abu Dhabi is evolving its tourism strategy, increasing the number of green countries and working on secure solutions for travel, which can lead to major changes in the coming weeks to a month.

How does Abu Dhabi view the competition from other regional players like Saudi Arabia in the tourism and travel sector?

Abu Dhabi sees the efforts of other regional players as complementary rather than competitive, focusing on creating unique packages that combine the offerings of different regions to provide a richer experience for tourists.