UAE participates in GITEX AI Europe 2026 in Berlin to strengthen presence of Emirati SMEs on global technology platforms

UAE pavilion at the expo features 20 Emirati companies showcasing their latest technology solutions

The UAE participated in GITEX AI Europe 2026, held in Berlin, Germany, recently. The participation falls in line with the country’s efforts to enhance its presence across global economic and technology platforms, strengthen its position as a global hub for entrepreneurship, innovation, and advanced technology, and support the expansion of Emirati startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) into global markets.

Headed by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism, the UAE delegation comprised nearly 35 members, including representatives of government entities, business incubators and accelerators, and entrepreneurs, including representatives of 20 Emirati startups and SMEs. They showcased innovative solutions, products, and services across advanced technology, artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and cybersecurity, reflecting the development of the national business environment and the competitiveness of Emirati companies across new economy sectors.

The UAE delegation included representatives of a range of government and academic entities, including the UAE Space Agency, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), Higher Colleges of Technology, Masdar City, Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), (Hub71) the Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, and the Emirates Entrepreneurship Association (EEA).

The Ministry of Economy and Tourism underscored that participation in GITEX AI Europe 2026 reflects the vision and directives of the wise leadership to reinforce the UAE’s position as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. It also reflects the government’s commitment to enabling startups and SMEs to access global markets and enhance their ability to grow and expand internationally, supporting economic diversification and strengthening the competitiveness of the private sector at regional and global levels.

The Ministry emphasised that the UAE is committed to providing an advanced economic legislative ecosystem that supports the growth of companies across the country and offers them broad opportunities to expand locally and globally, given the private sector’s role as a cornerstone of the future economy based on knowledge, technology, and innovation. The expo’s platform provides valuable opportunities for UAE companies to exchange expertise and knowledge with Europe’s business community, network with investors and international partners, explore new markets, and forge sustainable strategic partnerships that support their growth and competitiveness.

Economic relations between the UAE and Germany continue to grow across various sectors. The total number of German companies across the UAE increased by 35 per cent in 2025 compared to 2024, reaching 7,685 by the end of May 2026. Meanwhile, the number of German trademarks registered in the UAE reached 20,842 by the beginning of June 2026. This reflects the growing global confidence in the UAE’s business environment and highlights promising opportunities to strengthen cooperation between the UAE and Germany’s business communities.

Several entrepreneurs within the UAE delegation emphasised the importance of participating in GITEX AI Europe and engaging with the global technology and innovation community. Budoor Khaled AlAmoodi, Founder and CEO of Datafirst Solutions, highlighted that participation in GITEX Europe marks an important milestone in the company’s journey, with the event bringing together a global community of innovators, startups, and industry leaders from around the world. She further emphasised that this gathering reflects the spirit of innovation shaping modern technology sectors and provides valuable opportunities to forge impactful partnerships that go beyond showcasing technical solutions towards creating real business impact.

Omar Bin Brek, CEO of Foloosi, said that participating in GITEX Berlin as part of the UAE delegation represents a key milestone for the company and a remarkable opportunity to showcase Emirati innovation in the financial technology sector, connect with global investors and partners, and highlight the role of digital payment solutions in empowering SMEs. He also expressed his appreciation for the support of the Ministry of Economy and Tourism in enabling Emirati startups to access international opportunities and represent the UAE in global events.

Hamad Alawadhi, Founder and CEO of Fuelingo, stated that participating in GITEX AI Europe represented an exceptional opportunity to showcase the platform on the international stage. He explained that it enabled him to connect with technology leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world, while gaining valuable insights and constructive feedback that helped develop the company’s work.

Julian Walker, Chief Global Growth Officer at Digital Energy AI, said that the participation represents a distinguished opportunity to showcase UAE-developed AI technologies on the global stage. The company presented its innovative NexaHSE solution, which is driven by AI in the field of safety reporting and operational risk management, helping organisations develop their safety systems and digital transformation. He also expressed the company’s aspiration to represent the UAE and forge new international partnerships that highlight the rapid development taking place in the country’s technology sector.

Sari Azakir, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Toothpick, expressed his pleasure at showcasing the latest UAE-developed innovations in the healthcare sector on a global platform. He highlighted his aspiration to explore further opportunities for partnership, expertise exchange, and knowledge transfer in this field to strengthen the international presence of Emirati healthcare solutions and support the development of innovation in the digital healthcare sector.

Diarmuid O’Driscoll, GTM at RemotePass, expressed his delight at participating in the UAE Pavilion at GITEX Europe in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Tourism. He highlighted that the flow of skills and talent has become two-way, with European companies attracting talent to work in the UAE, while UAE companies expand their access to talent across Europe. He underscored that RemotePass’s role is to build bridges between the two markets and streamline this connectivity.

The UAE Pavilion at the exhibition provided an interactive platform for Emirati entrepreneurs to explore opportunities, connect with potential global investors, partners, and funders, and enable their products, services, and solutions to access international markets. This participation marks the UAE’s second participation in GITEX Europe in Berlin, building on the success achieved in the 2025 edition and reinforcing its ongoing efforts to support the entrepreneurship ecosystem, enable UAE companies to expand into global markets, and enhance their contribution to the national economy. This aligns with the country’s objectives to build a competitive knowledge-based, innovation- and technology-driven economy.

With its first edition launched in 2025, GITEX Europe in Berlin is one of the leading and largest technology events in Europe. It complements the global GITEX ecosystem that began in Dubai, strengthening connectivity between innovation and technology markets in the Middle East and Europe. The expo provides technology companies and startups with a strategic bridge to access European markets, explore new investment opportunities, and forge sustainable global partnerships that support the growth of the digital economy and cross-border business expansion.

This year’s edition of GITEX featured five main themes that discussed the future of technology and the digital economy, with the participation of 150 global leaders and experts from more than 100 countries, along with more than 600 global investors managing assets worth over USD 1 trillion. This further strengthens its position as a leading international platform for shaping innovation and digital transformation trends and attracting high-quality investments globally.