UAE is starting initiatives as the lead GCC in smart building, including more than two-thirds of the 1,236 Leadership in Energy & Environmental  Design  (LEED) certified projects, according to a study, reported Trade Arabia.

The study, which was conducted by technology firm Honeywell  International, added that the UAE is the perfect candidate because it is the leader in the region in implementing unified building codes for newly-built units, as the Abu Dhabi International Building Code (ADIBC) standards have become applicable for all emirates’ projects.

The report also stated that the International Smart Building market is expected to achieve revenue of $36 billion by 2020, recording a growth of 38% from 2015’s revenue of $ 7.26 billion.

The new building codes support the Expo 2020’s theme “connecting minds” and paves the way for Dubai to become a smart city, according to Emirates 24/7.

Jamal Abdullah Lootah, CEO of Imdaad, added that building owners were not aware of smart building’ several benefits, which include building longevity, enhanced living experiences for residents, and energy efficiency.