Dubai Future Foundation, Amazon Launch Gig Economy Programme
Dubai Future Foundation and Amazon UAE have unveiled a programme enabling individuals to participate in the gig economy by delivering Amazon packages on-foot. This initiative follows Amazon’s agreement to join the Sandbox Dubai project within the Gig Economy sector, approved by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The Sandbox initiative aims to develop a legislative environment that supports futuristic and innovative economic models. By providing a structured yet flexible framework, the programme encourages experimentation while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Opportunities for Individuals and Sustainability Benefits
The pilot programme offers opportunities for individuals and small business owners to earn additional and flexible income, particularly in densely populated areas across Dubai. Moreover, it allows participants to utilize idle working hours effectively while helping businesses scale efficiently.
This model also promotes sustainability by reducing reliance on delivery vehicles, easing traffic congestion, and lowering carbon emissions. Consequently, the initiative aligns with Dubai’s broader goals of economic innovation and environmental responsibility.
Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President of Amazon Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye, said, “We are excited to partner with the Dubai Future Foundation through the Sandbox Dubai initiative to launch new delivery models in Dubai, supporting our mission to serve customers with speed, convenience, and reliability.
We remain committed to leveraging our global expertise, scale, and technology to create new possibilities that boost the gig economy and entrepreneurship, as well as promote economic growth through greater flexibility for individuals and businesses. This collaboration with Dubai Future Foundation is a testament to the power of public-private partnerships in unlocking transformative solutions that will accelerate Dubai’s digital economy.”
Public-Private Collaboration and Economic Vision
Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, noted that this collaboration with Amazon UAE exemplifies public-private sector cooperation to develop legislation supporting innovation. It also enables pioneering pilot projects that benefit society and enhance economic competitiveness.
Sandbox Dubai forms a key part of Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the emirate’s economy over the next decade and strengthen its position among the world’s top economic cities. The platform allows innovators to test and develop market-ready business models, products, and services in a safe environment, guided by experts and flexible regulatory oversight.
Furthermore, the programme contributes to Dubai’s reputation as a global innovation hub. By supporting real-world experiments that provide accurate data to regulatory bodies, Sandbox Dubai helps create evidence-based policies that sustain progressive growth.
