Immigration authorities of Dubai call for blockchain startups to take part in a business incubator aimed at developing a solution to counteract unregistered resident entry.

The General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs believes the blockchain technology can help to reduce illegal residency by 50%. The initiative is a part of the second round of the Dubai Future Accelerator supported by the emirate’s government.

The programme will last for nine weeks. Other Dubai authorities will use the accelerator to find IT companies able to develop blockchain solutions for workflow optimisation. Thus, the Department of Economic Development plans to use a distributed system to shorten processing time by 20% when receiving, renewing and modifying trading licenses.

The Dubai Health Authority sees the potential of blockchain to improve the management of patient medical data, CoinDesk writes.

Startups taking part in the Dubai Future Accelerator are not obliged to pay any fees or contributions. The event hosts cover travel, accommodation and office space costs.

The second round of the accelerator starts on 12 February 2017. Companies specialised in 3D printing, artificial intelligence and drones are also invited to join the programme.

In February, the Dubai Museum of the Future Foundation launched the Global Blockchain Council. Among the 32 members of the Council are international IT companies, government entities, important regional banks and blockchain startups.

Elena Platonova