TECOM consists of a bouquet of specialised cities, as novel as they are lucrative centres of investment.
The Dubai Technology, E-Commerce and Media Free Zone (TECOM), located off Sheikh Zayed Road, next to Dubai Marina, is a visionary project encompassing free zones dedicated to innovation in information, communication, media and knowledge industries. TECOM consists of Dubai Internet City (DIC), Dubai Media City (DMC), Knowledge Village (KV) Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), Dubai Outsource Zone (DOZ), Dubai Studio City (DSC), Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park(DuBiotech) and Energy and Environment Park (ENPARK) .
TECOM is home to hundreds of global companies that serve the technology, media and knowledge industries.
Dubai Media City
Details
Dubai Media City (DMC) started operations in March 2000. DMC is a reflection of the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to transform Dubai into a knowledge-based society and economy. As part of this vision, DMC has created a world-class environment specifically for the media industry.
TECOM established DMC with the intention of providing the infrastructure and environment to enable global media-related enterprises to operate out of Dubai. DMC is the place where every kind of media business — broadcasting, publishing, advertising, public relations, research, music and post-production will thrive and have the freedom to create.
Services
The key benefits for broadcasters at DMC include state-of-the-art teleport/uplink/play-out options, broadband and telecommunication access, production and post-production facilities and studios and growth opportunities. DMC offers a diverse range of real estate options. DMC-owned buildings offer fully wired office spaces designed to provide a creative work environment for media professionals. These buildings are set amid exquisitely designed landscapes.
As a free zone, DMC gives business partners quick and easy incorporation services to provide them with the legal structure required to set up their businesses. Companies operating within the free zone do so in accordance with the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Private Companies Law.
Whether the venture is new or existing, small or large, DMC ensures that a business partner's first steps in establishing themselves in the community are successful.
Business partners can be licensed in three ways:
1) Free zone limited liability company (FZ LLC)
Companies incorporated in DMC have the unique edge of commercial benefits derived from the free zone status including 100 per cent foreign ownership and a guaranteed 50-year exemption from personal, income and corporate taxes.
2) Branch of local UAE company
To register a branch office at DMC, the parent company must be at least two years old.
3) Branch of a foreign/offshore company
To open a branch office at DMC, the parent company must be at least two years old.
The following list of market segments shows the sectors that DMC caters to:
Publishing
Newspapers, magazines, educational and professional books, consumer books and magazines, promotional content, online and electronic content, e-books, directories and guides.
Broadcasting
TV and radio, filmed entertainment, production and post-production, film production and distribution, media content management and provider, film content rights management, production, post-production and animation.
Media and marketing services
Direct marketing, promotional services, advertising/communication and public relations agencies, media placement, buying and selling and media representation.
Music
Music production and recordings, music distribution, music publishing, music label and rights management and music promotion and
management.
Media support service and providers
Broadcasting hardware and equipment, satellite services and equipment provider, GSM and electronic media provider, media equipment rentals and digital media. DMC also offers services to management, media archiving and distribution and systems integration services.
Dubai Internet City
Location
Dubai Internet City is about 25 kilometres south of the centre of Dubai city on Shaikh Zayed Road, towards Abu Dhabi city. It is located in an area that is rapidly becoming the new downtown of Dubai, and is located between Dubai Marina and Jumeirah, two of the most exclusive (and expensive) areas of Dubai. It is less than a kilometre from the coast.
Details
Dubai Internet City, a member of Dubai Holding subsidiary TECOM Investments, opened its doors in October 2000. Dubai Internet City (DIC) provides a knowledge economy ecosystem designed to facilitate the business development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) companies. It is the Middle East's biggest ICT infrastructure, built in a free trade zone.
DIC is a strategic base for companies targeting emerging markets in a vast region extending from the Middle East to the Indian subcontinent, and from Africa to the CIS countries, covering 2 billion people with a GDP of $6.7 trillion (about Dh24.5 trillion). Within a short span of time, a dynamic international community of ICT companies has established itself in Dubai Internet City.
Global ICT giants such as Microsoft, Oracle, HP, IBM, Dell, Siemens, Canon, Logica, Sony Ericsson, Schlumberger and Cisco, as well as many small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurial ventures are based in DIC. The ICT cluster in Dubai Internet City comprises companies from sectors such as software development, business services, e-commerce, consultancy and sales and marketing.
Dubai Internet City is a strategic base for companies targeting emerging markets in a vast region extending from the Middle East to the Indian subcontinent, and Africa to the CIS countries, covering 2 billion people with a GDP of $6.7 trillion (about Dh24.6 trillion). It has grown rapidly in the past year into a vibrant international community of about 400 ICT companies and 8,500 knowledge workers.
Services
The cluster environment at DIC provides most elements in the value chain for an ICT business. In addition, it has developed programmes that can be leveraged by the ICT community to explore and expand channel and business development opportunities. Dubai Internet City provides a Knowledge Economy Ecosystem that is designed to support the business development of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) companies. It is the Middle East's biggest IT infrastructure, built in a free trade zone, and has the largest commercial Internet Protocol Telephony system in the world. It offers 100 per cent foreign ownership and a company formation period of 10 to 20 days.
The burgeoning ICT cluster at Dubai Internet City also offers a high quality of business interaction and networking opportunities that can be utilised for enhanced problem solving and knowledge sharing by the community.
There is a single point in DIC from which businesses can interact with different government entities such as the police, immigration, and postal authorities. DIC can assist in obtaining and authenticating vital documents, and in obtaining customs clearances, and a fast track immigration process designed to ensure swift access to talent and resources.
Companies can host independent web and e-commerce sites with DIC's sister company, eHosting DataFort (EHDF), who provide hosting services from a secure data centre, with strong service level agreements and collaborative platforms.
Also on offer are satellite broadcasting and Internet services, through a dedicated teleport, and in-house services such as event management and hospitality. Idama, specialists in facility management, offer tailor-made services for maintenance of office premises.
Other support services operating within the community include food courts, banks, travel agents, car rentals, beauty salons, pharmacies, clinics, supermarkets and gymnasiums.
- Courtesy: www.dubaimediacity.com www.dubaiinternetcity.com
