His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), today witnessed the inauguration of the headquarters and first manufacturing facility of KERNO Enterprises at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the special economic zone for knowledge- and innovation-driven companies and a member of DIEZ.

The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ; and Christopher Caswell, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kerno Enterprises, alongside senior government and private sector officials and company representatives.

KERNO Enterprises is the first manufacturer of enterprise IT hardware in the UAE. The facility further strengthens Dubai’s standing as a regional hub for advanced technology and knowledge-based manufacturing, with the company designing, developing, and producing secure technology solutions locally. This development is in line with national priorities to enhance technological sovereignty, localise advanced industries, and build resilient digital infrastructure capable of meeting the demands of artificial intelligence and the wider digital economy.

During the visit, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed toured the facility and reviewed its advanced production lines, including assembly operations, testing procedures, and quality assurance systems. He was also briefed on KERNO Enterprises’ portfolio of solutions spanning AI servers, high-performance computing systems, enterprise servers, and data storage technologies.

His Highness said: “Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for technology companies and advanced industries, supported by an integrated business environment, world-class infrastructure, and a competitive economic ecosystem that attracts high-value investments and projects.”

Strategic focus
He added that the establishment of KERNO Enterprises’ headquarters and manufacturing facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis represents a significant addition to Dubai and the UAE’s advanced manufacturing landscape. It reflects the strategic importance of investment in knowledge, innovation and technology-driven sectors. He further noted that advanced manufacturing remains a cornerstone in building the economy of the future, enhancing digital readiness, and advancing economic diversification, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to position the emirate among the world’s leading economic centres.

Diversifying the economy
His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said: “The inauguration of Kerno Enterprises’ facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis marks an important step in the UAE’s journey towards building a more diversified and competitive economy driven by knowledge, innovation, and advanced technology. It also reflects the country’s ability to attract high-value investments in future-focused sectors and transform them into industrial and technological projects that add measurable value to the national economy.”

He added: “This facility is aligned with the UAE’s vision of developing an advanced trade and investment ecosystem and strengthening its position as a global hub for advanced industries and digital technologies. Enabling companies to design, develop, and manufacture high-performance solutions within the country supports the competitiveness of national exports and creates broader opportunities for international partnerships.”

His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni said: “The inauguration of KERNO Enterprises’ facility reflects the growing role of Dubai Silicon Oasis as a dedicated platform for technology, knowledge, and innovation-driven enterprises. He emphasised that the DIEZ ecosystem continues to attract high-quality investments that support future-focused sectors and provide an integrated environment for companies to grow, scale, and develop advanced solutions from Dubai to regional and global markets.