Abu Dhabi’s Executive Affairs Authority and the German Free State of Saxony have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) acknowledging their mutual economic interests and committing to establish new opportunities to exchange expertise and share knowledge. In particular, the MOU recognizes the strategic importance of the close cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Saxony in the areas of science and technology, with special emphasis placed on the field of microelectronics. Signing the MOU yesterday were His Excellency Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and Dr. Johannes Beermann, Chief of the State Chancellery and Minister of State for Federal Affairs, Saxony. Present at the signing were Ibrahim Ajami, CEO of Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) and His Excellency Klaus-Peter Brandes, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the UAE. Abu Dhabi and Saxony have a strong history of working together in this field. ATIC has invested over $1 billion in one of the world’s most sophisticated semiconductor manufacturing facilities, “Fab 1,” operated in Dresden by ATIC’s GLOBALFOUNDRIES. Fab 1 manufactures 300-mm wafers that are the technology backbone for millions of computers, mobile phones and other devices. Last summer, Abu Dhabi sent 20 students to work in the GLOBALFOUNDRIES Dresden plant. Next month, 60 students from the Emirate will travel to Dresden to participate in the seven-week “Al Nokhba Internship at GLOBALFOUNDRIES.” “This agreement marks a further development in the growing relationship between Saxony and Abu Dhabi. Encouraging the exchange of knowledge in the fields of science and technology can only add to the development of expertise required for the future development of the advanced technology sector in Abu Dhabi,” said Al Mubarak. “I am glad, that we could sign the „Memorandum of Understanding“ today. This is another significant step in our mutual cooperation, which is developing with extraordinary and unprecedented dynamics.”, said Dr. Beermann in Abu Dhabi yesterday. “The establishment of the Abu Dhabi – Saxony Partnership Committee with its four working groups will extend our cooperation to more sectors of common interest. This is the best way for mutual benefit.” Ibrahim Ajami, CEO of ATIC said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for ATIC and GLOBALFOUNDRIES to continue to build the relationship with our Dresden facility. The focus on research and development, accompanied by education and training, will be an essential part of our Abu Dhabi human capital strategy.” The MOU also commits to the establishment of a series of working groups in the areas of industry, research and development, education and training and culture, aimed at establishing future programs of collaboration between the partners.