04 July 2015
Dubai, UAE, 4 July 2015: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has received, at its head office, a delegation from the Department of Municipal Affairs, Western Region Municipality. The visit was to review DEWA's smart and distinguished services that contribute to achieving the Smart Dubai initiative, launched by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world. The visit is one of mutual visits to enhance cooperation and learn about international best practices in information technology.

"The visit is part of DEWA's benchmarking programme to ensure the effective exchange of experiences and expertise with other organisations and utilities according to the highest international standards. This reflects its vision to become a sustainable innovative world class utility. DEWA works continuously to develop its smart services to more advanced levels. We encourage creativity to achieve an excellent model for smart services that meets the requirements of everyday life, and support Dubai's position as a benchmark for smart cities," said HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA.

"DEWA is committed to implementing the vision of our wise leadership for a future city and enhance Dubai's position as the smartest city in the world by providing an environment that supports innovation, creativity, and competitiveness. DEWA works to support these objectives by sharing its expertise and experiences in information technology with various local and global organisations," added Al Tayer.

The two organisations discussed working methodologies, strategic plan for smart transformation, and methods applied to simplify service procedures. DEWA outlined its significant achievements in smart services. The visiting delegation also reviewed the development stages of DEWA's smart app, which provides over 150 services and features that serve customers, job seekers, government organisations, and general services for visitors.

DEWA briefed the visitors on its Ashir service, which it launched to support the My Community... A City for Everyone initiative, launched by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. The service is the first government smart communications channel dedicated to the hearing-impaired in the UAE to communicate directly with DEWA's call centre staff using sign language and live video chat.

"At DEWA, we work to develop all our services by adopting the latest technologies and international best practices by promoting cooperation with all government and private organisations. This supports the Smart Dubai initiative to harness technology and enable the public to complete their transactions, applications, comments, feedback, and suggestions using phones and smart devices, anytime, anywhere," said Moza Al Akraf, CIO of DEWA.

At the end the visit, the delegation thanked DEWA for the warm welcome and commended DEWA for the advanced technologies it uses.

-Ends-

For more information, please contact:
Ribal Dayekh or Noora Khoory                            
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority                 
+9714 307 2006 or 515 1784                           
ribal.dayekh@dewa.gov.ae
noora.khoory@dewa.gov.ae                             

Mutasem Shadid or Mazen Alebrahem
ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller
+9714 450 7675 or 450 7613
Mutasem.shadid@bm.com
Mazen.Alebrahem@bm.com

© Press Release 2015