IFZA, Dubai’s most dynamic free zone community, has sponsored the Smart Cities Council’s (SCC’s) inaugural Smart Cities Week APAC event held recently in Australia.

This sponsorship is part of IFZA’s ongoing partnership with the Smart Cities Council (SCC) to advance smart city initiatives. Through this partnership, IFZA will provide comprehensive business setup services to SCC members and partners and support expansion into the UAE.

Holger Schlechter, IFZA’s Chief Financial Officer, introduced IFZA and its services. He also joined Corey Gray, President of Smart Cities Council, for a fireside chat, where they shared valuable insights on Dubai’s Special Economic Zones, focusing on the vibrant business environment and market opportunities for startups.

As part of the event’s trade and investment track, Holger served as a judge for the startup pitch competition, where the winning team was awarded an IFZA licence.

Smart Cities Week APAC 2024 brought together world-renowned experts, thought leaders, and policymakers from the private sector, government agencies, and organizations. The event aims to foster collaboration and joint efforts to transform cities towards a better future.

Activities included panel discussions and keynote speeches on various topics, covering themes such as Cybersecurity, Privacy and Data, Public Safety, Health and aged Care, and AI and machine Learning.

The Asia-Pacific smart cities market is projected to be worth $1,635.3 billion by 2030.