DUBAI / SEOUL — Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong has intensified Samsung's strategic focus on the Middle East, conducting an on-site inspection of major power infrastructure projects in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and emphasizing the region's pivotal role in powering future artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystems.

According to Samsung Group on October 22, Chairman Lee visited the construction site of the Al Dhafra Gas-Fired Power Plant in the UAE on October 21 (local time). During his visit, Lee meticulously inspected the progress of the facility and met with executives and employees from Samsung C&T and Samsung E&A to discuss shifting market dynamics in the Middle East and chart future business directions.

Powering the Future of AI Infrastructure

The Al Dhafra project is a massive power infrastructure undertaking currently being executed by Samsung C&T in a consortium with local builder Trojan General Contracting. Commissioned to meet the surging electricity demand driven by the UAE's rapid industrialization, the plant carries strategic importance. Industry experts note that the stable power supply generated by this facility will be vital for supporting high-tech industries, particularly the expanding network of AI data centers across the region.

As global demand for AI computational power skyrockets, tech giants and infrastructure developers alike are grappling with unprecedented energy requirements. By securing a strong foothold in large-scale power generation and engineering projects in the Middle East, Samsung is positioning itself as a key enabler of the region's digital and industrial transformation.

On-Site Leadership and Employee Welfare

Following his technical inspection of the Al Dhafra site, Chairman Lee demonstrated his signature hands-on leadership style by joining employees at the on-site cafeteria for lunch. Sharing a meal in the desert heat, Lee engaged in candid conversations with workers regarding their daily lives, local working conditions, and the unique challenges of operating overseas.

Lee took time to personally express his gratitude to the staff working tirelessly under harsh weather conditions, listening attentively to their feedback and suggestions. The Chairman has consistently maintained a hands-on approach to looking after employees stationed in the Middle East, a region that has faced persistent uncertainties due to geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts.

Strengthening Family Ties Across Nine Countries

Demonstrating his ongoing commitment to workforce welfare prior to his physical arrival in the UAE, Chairman Lee extended his appreciation globally. On October 16, ahead of his Middle East itinerary, Lee sent special encouragement gifts and handwritten thank-you letters to 730 affiliate company employees dispatched across nine countries in the region—including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran—as well as to their families residing both locally and back in South Korea.

Industry watchers interpret Chairman Lee's latest Middle East tour not only as a strategic push to capture next-generation AI infrastructure and energy markets, but also as a vital morale-boosting mission to solidify trust and solidarity within Samsung's global workforce.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]