On November 19 in Dubai, LG Electronics and Expo City Dubai, a government-affiliated agency of the UAE, signed a ‘strategic partnership for smart city development.’ Ahmed Al Khatib, Chief of Development and Delivery at Expo City Dubai (far left), and Cho Joo-wan, CEO of LG Electronics (third from left), look over a rendering of the planned smart city. (Photo courtesy of LG Electronics)
SEOUL, Nov. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — LG Electronics is accelerating its expansion in the Middle East, positioning itself as a key business-to-government (B2G) partner in the Global South as countries in the region pursue large-scale smart-city and infrastructure projects.
The South Korean tech company said Sunday that it has signed a strategic partnership with Expo City Dubai, a government-affiliated entity overseeing the redevelopment of the former Dubai Expo 2020 site into a 3.5-square-kilometer smart city expected to house roughly 35,000 residents.
LG CEO Cho Joo-wan and Ahmed Al Khatib, chief of development and delivery at Expo City Dubai, attended the signing ceremony in the United Arab Emirates.
The agreement builds on discussions held during a recent Korea-UAE business roundtable, focusing on collaboration in artificial intelligence technologies, renewable-energy-based infrastructure and urban-scale AI applications. The project aligns with “We the UAE 2031,” Abu Dhabi’s national vision emphasizing carbon neutrality, energy efficiency and smart-city development.
LG plans to supply advanced heating, ventilation and air-conditioning solutions—an area of rising demand as AI data centers expand—as well as its AI Home Hub-based smart-home platform to the new district. The company previously provided high-brightness LED signage for the Dubai Expo and secured a contract to supply built-in home appliances to 3,000 housing units in the new smart-city zone.
With the new partnership, LG aims to strengthen its presence across consumer, business and government sectors in the Middle East. The company has operated in the UAE since 1996 and oversees operations in 75 markets across the Middle East and Africa from its regional headquarters.
“LG’s differentiated HVAC technology and AI-based smart-home solutions will contribute meaningfully to the UAE’s future ambitions,” CEO Cho said, adding that the company will move aggressively to capture new B2G opportunities in a region dominated by state-driven mega-projects.
LG is also expanding its government-linked and corporate partnerships in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries as it seeks higher-value growth beyond traditional consumer markets.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
