Most all IT Geographic development initiatives in the UAE are located in the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone. Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone was created in the year 2000 as part of the UAE's efforts to transform itself into a knowledge economy. The zone was established as a tax-free commercial area with three main hubs: The Dubai Internet City for information and communications technology (ICT) companies, the Dubai Media City for media companies, and the Knowledge Village for knowledge-focused companies. Subsequently an Outsourcing Zone was added to the Technology and Media Free Zone to capitalize on the countries strategic position to establish outsourcing operations in the region.
Begun in 2000, the Dubai Internet City (DIC) provides a Knowledge Economy Ecosystem designed to support the business development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) companies. It is the Middle East’s biggest ICT infrastructure, built inside a free trade zone. The DIC is located in an area of the Middle East where companies can easily reach and benefit from proximity to emerging markets in the Middle East, on the Indian subcontinent, and northern Africa. This area covers 2 billion people with an estimated GDP of $6.7 trillion.
ICT Global giants including: Microsoft, Oracle, HP, IBM, Dell, Siemens, Canon, Logica, Sony Ericsson, Schlumberger and Cisco along with other small foreign and local enterprises and entrepreneurial ventures have established operations within the DIC. Sectors represented in the cluster include: Software Development, Business Services, Web Based & e-Commerce, Consultancy, Sales & Marketing and Back Office Operations.
DIC provides an environment that attracts most elements of the value chain for an ICT business.
Dubai Internet City Benefits
The following benefits of business operations in the DIC are promoted by the UAE government.
Free Zone
• 100% Tax Free.
• 100% foreign ownership.
• No Customs duties.
• Full currency convertibility.
• No restrictions on the repatriation of capital and/or profits.
• No trade barriers or quotas.One Stop Shop
• Simplified incorporation process.
• Hassle-free company laws and legal framework
• 24-hour visa service
• Quick access to Knowledge Workers due to fast-track immigration process.Infrastructure
• World’s largest commercial implementer of IP telephony.
• Structured cabling supporting Gigabit applications.
• Scalable broadband internet access to desktop.
• Scalable and serviced office space, land lease options and competitive pricing.ICT Cluster
• Every element of the ICT value chain.
• Channel Development opportunities.
• Networking opportunities. (15)
Dubai Knowledge Village (KV) is a vibrant, connected learning community that the UAE government has begun to develop with the stated objective of "developing the region’s talent pool and accelerating its move to the knowledge economy."
KV was set up to develop Dubai into a destination for education for both regional and international learners. This new education and training hub is also set up to complement the Free Zone’s other two clusters: Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City by providing the facilities to train the clusters' future knowledge workers.
Dubai Knowledge Village provides the infrastructure for developing, sharing and applying knowledge. In addition, Dubai Knowledge Village has expanded to include the mega-campus Dubai Knowledge Universities, the first stage of which will be completed in 2006. (23)
The Dubai Outsource Zone is another development park recently established by the UAE in Dubai to provide "a comprehensive infrastructure and environment for outsourcing and off shoring companies to set up global or regional hubs servicing the worldwide market." The Zone is an initiative of the Dubai Internet City cluster. The UAE is hoping companies where are currently operating outsourcing enterprise in India, China and other countries will consider setting up operations in this zone. The zone has all the same benefits as the other zones in the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone. (24)
