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Public-private partnerships key to innovation - Plouffe
Dubai, UAE - April 25, 2015: David Plouffe, Senior Vice President (SVP) for Policy and Strategy at Uber, and widely referred to as the architect of President Barack Obama's presidential campaign victory, spoke recently about the merits of technological innovation in the UAE and Middle East to a select group of invited guests.
Hosted at DIFC's 'The Capital Club', in conjunction with the Harvard Business School Club of the GCC, and the Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Network of the UAE, the event attracted over 100 policymakers, entrepreneurs and tech leaders.
In the one-on-one conversation with Sultan Al Qassemi, one of the country's most widely-recognized commentators, topics discussed included the role of technology and innovation in today's world, sustainability, and a debate about the responsibility of companies such as Uber to their users.
David Plouffe, SVP Policy and Strategy, Uber said: "Public-private partnerships are critical to drive technology and innovation for economic growth. With increased collaboration and knowledge sharing between institutions, individuals and decision makers, we can build the smart cities of the future and match the UAE vision."
With the UAE set to host Expo 2020 within the next five years, Plouffe further stressed that technology is essential to positioning Dubai as a world-leading city of future. As an example, he showcased how Uber believes that by matching its powerful network with the cities growing transportation infrastructure, Dubai will be able to provide a safe, seamless, transparent experience for business and tourists - including reducing congestion, efficient airport arrival and pick up and drop offs for visitors.
Plouffe added: "Expanding Uber's current services will help the UAE successfully manage the spikes in demand, relieve pressure on parking throughout the city, and reduce congestion where possible. We believe this because not only is Uber safe and reliable, its technology has the ability to help governments better connect cities, making us a smart technology partner.
Our UAE team is excited about the future of this vibrant, innovative city and have complete faith that technology - in all forms - has a fundamental role to play in supporting Dubai's vision of becoming an innovation hub that goes beyond transport."
While holding senior positions in the White House and as a close adviser to current US incumbent Barack Obama, Plouffe won plaudits for his use of technology in his campaign strategies, before joining smartphone technology company Uber in September 2014. Since its founding in 2010, the company has seamlessly connected millions of riders to drivers through its app, making cities more accessible to riders and opening up an entirely new business opportunity for drivers all around the world.
To learn more, watch the full conversation via YouTube at:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ieSCtgzh6cMSent
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About Uber
Uber is evolving the way the world moves. By seamlessly connecting riders to drivers through our apps, we make cities more accessible, opening up more possibilities for riders and more business for our partner drivers and transport operators. Uber's rapidly expanding global presence continues to bring people and their cities closer and is currently providing service in 300 cities across 56 different countries. It is already in Abu Dhabi, Beirut, Dubai, and Doha, Jeddah and Riyadh with plans for expansion across the Middle East. To request a ride, users must download the free application for Android, iPhone, Windows Phone, Blackberry 7, or sign up at uber.com/app.
For more information, please visit: uber.com/cities/dubai or abudhabi.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Mustapha Al Tayech
Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Dubai
Email: mustapha.altayech@hkstrategies.com
Telephone: +971 (4) 33 44 903
Shaden Abdellatif
Uber
Communications - Middle East & Africa
Email: shaden@uber.com
Telephone: +971 (0)4 391 1111
© Press Release 2015
