The United Arab Emirates welcomed on Wednesday a US decision to ease restrictions on exports of advanced technologies to the country, elevating it to the status of one of Washington's most trusted technology partners and the most important technology ally in the region.
His Excellency Yousef Al Otaiba, Minister of State and UAE Ambassador to Washington, said the decision crowns decades of deep and trusted cooperation in technology, security, trade, and investment, and opens horizons for research and development, the strengthening of technological cooperation, the expansion of trade, and the consolidation of the defence partnership.
The US Department of Commerce had announced an upgrade of the UAE's export classification, moving it from the restricted country groups D3 and D4 to group A5 — the highest trust tier, which includes Washington's closest technology allies — in recognition of the UAE's role as a key partner. The country is now eligible for more favourable treatment under export control laws and will enjoy free access to advanced computing equipment without requiring licences.
The US Department of Commerce stated that this special status is justified in light of the two countries' partnership and the UAE's commitment to preventing the diversion and misuse of sensitive American technology.
This step will allow UAE entities to obtain advanced artificial intelligence chips, AI servers, dual-use technology, commercial satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, and technologies used in the oil and gas industries and civil nuclear energy, without going through licensing procedures.
The move reinforces the UAE's ambition to become a global hub for artificial intelligence.
It also opens the door for projects in the UAE to begin purchasing the latest AI chips from companies such as Nvidia, AMD, and Cerebras Systems, in accordance with an agreement reached more than a year ago stipulating that these companies supply the Emirati firm G42 with thousands of processors for use in AI data centres.