That's the reason why Internet Marketing is the most promising field to link service providers with consumers. It doesn't matter what you're selling, whether it's shoes or plain information, IM tactics like search engine marketing, social media, linking and brand building among thousands of other strategies can guarantee global reach and exposure. Those who saw the possibilities of the World Wide Web early on are now leading the profit game even in troubling economic times. The government of Dubai certainly picked up on the clues early on when in 1999, it called for plans to build the Dubai Internet City, a free zone equipped with the latest technological infrastructure that would make it the biggest Internet and Communications Technology centre in the Middle East.
Built in just under a year, Dubai Internet City
opened in 2000 over an area of more than 1.5 million square feet of
prime commercial office space. With over $700 million invested in the
technology park so far, a second phase of development will add luxury
villas and world class hotels and shopping ventures (check out Dubai Pearl). DIC is located about 25 km south of downtown Dubai, on Sheikh
Zayed Road, the one road that connects all the major spots in Dubai. It
is tucked neatly between the Jumeirah Beach Residence and the Palm
Jumeirah-the ritziest residential areas in Dubai. But it's not the
glamour that makes DIC standout; it's the boundless networking
opportunities that have caught the attention of IT giants from around
the world.
As a member of the Dubai Holding subsidiary TECOM Investments, DIC has had the guaranteed investment of both the government and Dubai's largest companies. Such a backing has equipped every inch of the free zone with metro Ethernet infrastructure, complete IP telephony facilities and the flexibility of private branch exchange functionality. What all of that basically means is that IT multinationals like Microsoft, Cisco Systems, HP, IBM, Siemens, Canon and many more now have access to the largest untapped ICT market in the world. Extending out of the Middle East to the Asian subcontinent, Central Asia, East Africa to South Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and Russia-DIC has enabled companies to reach emerging markets in an area covering 2 billion people with an annual GDP of $6.7 trillion.
Since all of Dubai's million dollar ventures are the first of their kind, the emirate has an unparalleled advantage at setting the standard in every industry for the region's growing markets. Dubai's government, which also sponsors a number of private corporations, combined DIC's technological prowess with a package of unbeatable business advantages. DIC offers foreign companies 100% tax-free ownership, 100% repatriation of capital and profits, zero currency restrictions, fast registration and licensing, and a stringent framework for cyber regulations and protection of intellectual property. Add the benefits of operating free from corporate or income taxes, foreign exchange controls and trade barriers and it's easy to see why DIC is a bustling centre of activity even while other industries are struggling to cope with the recession.
DIC representatives are also smart about scouting the best possible partnerships around the world. Working with the Dubai Export Development Corporation, DIC has worked out plans to bring in international names like Sweden's Ericsson and Dovado as well as export opportunities to India (the fastest growing IT industry with an end-user spend of $110 billion by 2012). DIC has also partnered with TelecomFinance, a leading monthly print and online publication operated by UK's Press Association, to host the TelecomFinance Middle East & Africa 2009. The forum will bring together representatives from international telecoms, IT and media companies for unique perspectives and networking opportunities.
With over 1200 companies already calling it home, Dubai Internet City reached its break-even point in less than 2.5 years. With rent still at below market value the possibilities are endless in what kind of talent Dubai will continue attracting in the future.
References:
http://www.dubaiinternetcity.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_Internet_City
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/UAE/242046
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns341/ns396/ns223/ns227/networking_solutions_customer_profile09186a00801e35ca.html
http://www.ameinfo.com/178447.html http://dubaiholding.com/en/media-centre/news/2009/March/dubai-internet-city-industry-partner-of-telecomfinance-middle-east-and-africa-conference-2009/
http://www.ameinfo.com/188873.html
http://www.dic-communityguide.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/companies/dubai-internet-city
http://dubaiholding.com/en/media-centre/news/2009/Febuary/dubai-internet-city-and-dubai-export-development-corporation-encourage-companies-to-seek-opportunities-in-india/
As a member of the Dubai Holding subsidiary TECOM Investments, DIC has had the guaranteed investment of both the government and Dubai's largest companies. Such a backing has equipped every inch of the free zone with metro Ethernet infrastructure, complete IP telephony facilities and the flexibility of private branch exchange functionality. What all of that basically means is that IT multinationals like Microsoft, Cisco Systems, HP, IBM, Siemens, Canon and many more now have access to the largest untapped ICT market in the world. Extending out of the Middle East to the Asian subcontinent, Central Asia, East Africa to South Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and Russia-DIC has enabled companies to reach emerging markets in an area covering 2 billion people with an annual GDP of $6.7 trillion.
Since all of Dubai's million dollar ventures are the first of their kind, the emirate has an unparalleled advantage at setting the standard in every industry for the region's growing markets. Dubai's government, which also sponsors a number of private corporations, combined DIC's technological prowess with a package of unbeatable business advantages. DIC offers foreign companies 100% tax-free ownership, 100% repatriation of capital and profits, zero currency restrictions, fast registration and licensing, and a stringent framework for cyber regulations and protection of intellectual property. Add the benefits of operating free from corporate or income taxes, foreign exchange controls and trade barriers and it's easy to see why DIC is a bustling centre of activity even while other industries are struggling to cope with the recession.
DIC representatives are also smart about scouting the best possible partnerships around the world. Working with the Dubai Export Development Corporation, DIC has worked out plans to bring in international names like Sweden's Ericsson and Dovado as well as export opportunities to India (the fastest growing IT industry with an end-user spend of $110 billion by 2012). DIC has also partnered with TelecomFinance, a leading monthly print and online publication operated by UK's Press Association, to host the TelecomFinance Middle East & Africa 2009. The forum will bring together representatives from international telecoms, IT and media companies for unique perspectives and networking opportunities.
With over 1200 companies already calling it home, Dubai Internet City reached its break-even point in less than 2.5 years. With rent still at below market value the possibilities are endless in what kind of talent Dubai will continue attracting in the future.
References:
http://www.dubaiinternetcity.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_Internet_City
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/UAE/242046
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/netsol/ns341/ns396/ns223/ns227/networking_solutions_customer_profile09186a00801e35ca.html
http://www.ameinfo.com/178447.html http://dubaiholding.com/en/media-centre/news/2009/March/dubai-internet-city-industry-partner-of-telecomfinance-middle-east-and-africa-conference-2009/
http://www.ameinfo.com/188873.html
http://www.dic-communityguide.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/companies/dubai-internet-city
http://dubaiholding.com/en/media-centre/news/2009/Febuary/dubai-internet-city-and-dubai-export-development-corporation-encourage-companies-to-seek-opportunities-in-india/
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