Siemens AG, one of the largest manufacturing and electronic companies in the world, has announced plans to set up its global headquarters for airports, cargo and ports logistics in Dubai, UAE.

The company will use the site of Expo 2020 Dubai as the future location for this business after the next World Expo ends in April 2021.

The decision of the German company to locate some of its key businesses in the 4.38-sqkm Dubai South site will capitalise on the industrial and logistics developments in the emirate.

It is seen as a major vote of confidence for Expo’s legacy strategy, aimed at ensuring its site becomes a blossoming district for businesses, residents and tourists alike after the Expo closes. Expo management anticipates that more world class companies will follow Siemens’ example, bringing new jobs and business to the developing area in Dubai South. 

Siemens will make use of the existing infrastructure that is already being put in place on the site and use the permanent buildings of Expo 2020 Dubai as the new home for its future global logistics headquarters.

The new global HQ will include bases for Siemens’ airports, cargo infrastructure and ports teams. All levels of value addition will be represented in Dubai including global management and strategy, research and development, innovation, software development, sales, assembly, and production.

Busch: committed to contributing to Dubai’s economic development goals

Additionally, Expo 2020 Dubai announced that Siemens is to become a premier partner for Intelligent Infrastructure and Operations, providing a wide range of innovative solutions, technologies and products to help plan, build and operate an exceptional Expo that will continue to make a meaningful impact well beyond its closure.

Under the partnership, Siemens will also provide smart solutions for Expo 2020 technical and site operations and implement MindSphere, an open operating system for The Internet of Things.

MindSphere will initially be utilised for optimisation of energy management and building management across the site. It will then enable the Expo, Siemens and other partners, small and medium enterprises and universities in the wider Expo ecosystem to make best use of data received.

Inspired by Dubai’s Vision 2021 and the Expo themes, the two parties will also promote the use of MindSphere outside Expo as well as for the 200-plus participants of Expo 2020 Dubai.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee said: “The decision by Siemens to set up its global headquarters for logistics in Dubai is a vote of confidence for the strong viable legacy plan for the Expo 2020 site and also confirms the global role that Dubai plays as an international hub for business,  the logistics, aviation and maritime industries.”

Siemens’ CEO Joe Kaeser, said: “The company has a long history in Expo partnerships and we are delighted to be a premier partner for Intelligent Infrastructure and Operations leveraging our open IoT operating system, Mindsphere, for Expo 2020 Dubai and beyond.”

“Through this collaboration, we look forward to supporting Dubai’s sustainable development goals with our innovative solutions, helping bring the emirate closer to its ambition of becoming one of the world’s smartest cities.”

On setting up the global logistics headquarters in Dubai, Siemens’ managing board member and chief technology officer, Roland Busch, said: “This strategic decision highlights Dubai’s significance as a major player in global transport and logistics, with some of the world’s biggest airlines and ports operating in and around the emirate.”

“Siemens wants to further expand its operations in order to be close to key customers and markets. The Expo site will be a perfect match, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, infrastructure and technology, coupled with enviable transport connections,” noted Busch.

“We are committed to contributing to Dubai’s economic development goals with the latest innovations in technology, using digitalisation to support growth and boost efficiencies in logistics,” he added.