This week UAE telecoms firm du announced a partnership with Dubai Civil Defense to provide blockchain services. The government department is best known for managing the fire service but is also responsible for safety inspections and managing disaster response.
Du’s Blockchain Edge is being adopted for automating business processes, data exchange and settling payments. The telecoms firm believes it will result in cost savings. The solution will also be integrated with the country’s blockchain-based Unified Business Registry Platform (UBRP), presumably for issuing inspection certificates and licenses.
The UBRP blockchain project is also one that du is involved with because it’s based on Dubai Pulse’s platform, which du developed jointly with Smart Dubai. UBRP isn’t just a corporate registry but also for trade licenses. Four government departments have already integrated the solution, including the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority.
Dubai Pulse also provides the hosting infrastructure for the in-production ‘KYC Blockchain Consortium‘, enabling banks to share know your customer company data.
Du is also known as the Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC). It’s jointly owned by the UAE government, sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, Dubai Holding and public shareholders. It has more than 8 million consumer customers as well as 80,000 businesses.
Meanwhile, the UAE’s government has numerous other blockchain projects, including a credential system for health professionals and another for storing healthcare and pharmaceutical data. It’s embracing the technology for its land registry. Plus, the central bank is exploring a cross border central bank digital currency together with Saudi Arabia.
