Dubai Silicon Oasis Targets Asian Companies At CommunicAsia 2009 In Singapore

Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the region’s premier integrated innovations hub for high-tech industries, today announced its participation in CommunicAsia 2009, the Asia-Pacific region’s largest international ICT and digital convergence event in Singapore.

To be held from 16-19 June at Singapore Expo, the 20th edition of CommunicAsia is a global platform highlighting the emerging convergence technologies’ trends in applications, solutions and hardware. It is co-located with BroadcastAsia 2009, the regional event for digital media and entertainment that will also address key issues in the convergence landscape.

Dubai Silicon Oasis will utilize its participation in CommunicAsia 2009 to showcase its corporate services and state-of-the-art infrastructure that is tailored to host international technology corporations.

Adnan Al Bahar, Senior Director – Marketing & Corporate Communications at Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), said: “DSOA continuously participate in high-profile international platforms for striking alliances with industry leaders from across the world. Through our presence, we will extend an invitation to Asian firms and particularly those in the Far-East to set up their Middle East operations at the Technology Oasis in Dubai that has become an ideal destination for global corporations”.

“As a free-zone, DSO provides the right environment for ease of doing business. In addition, Dubai’s ranking as one of the most business-friendly cities in the region, tax-free environment, as well as a talented world-class work-force are other attractive factors that will offer enormous benefits to companies to expand their operations in this region. We believe Asian high technology giants will acknowledge these advantages and select DSO to expand their footprint in the region.”

CommunicAsia 2009 will focus on latest technologies both at the exhibition floor and the conference, including 3.5G/Long Term Evolution/4G, next generation network, enterprise applications/solutions, Femtocell, fixed mobile convergence, Green IT, IPTV, mobile entertainment/mobile advertising, mobile Internet, navigation and LBS, near field communication, satellite, social networking/social media technologies, ultra-Wideband and WiMAX.

Dubai Emerging As Compelling Destination For Film Production And Broadcast Industries

A secure operational environment, remarkably attractive locales, incomparable logistical advantages and an expanding local talent base have made Dubai and the UAE the most preferred destination for pre- and post production activities of global television and film companies.

Probably, the most telling factor above all these is the presence of Dubai Studio City, a film and broadcast industry-dedicated free zone cluster and a member of TECOM Investments. The cluster is an all-encompassing destination that offers enabling facilities for design, visual effects and music composition in addition to pre-built studios, sound stages, training academies and a business centre.

Jamal Al Sharif, Executive Director, Dubai Studio City, said: “As a destination that offers a wide range of compelling locales for film shoots, Dubai appeared on the radar of global studios and major producers following the tremendous success of Dubai Media City – the first project in TECOM Investment’s media cluster.

“By 2005, when Dubai Studio City was launched as a logical evolution of the media sector’s growth and an additional component of the TECOM cluster, global film and broadcast industries were increasingly looking at Dubai as an alternate destination. The state-of-the-art infrastructure at the free zone especially generated substantial interest among the global filmmakers.”

DSC’S single-window Location Approval Services (LAS) department expedites and facilitates the approval process for all film shoots and photography activities in Dubai and the UAE. Providing a full bouquet of enabling services including location scouting, visa, travel, accommodation arrangements and access to talent, the LAS department achieved a 33 percent growth from 2007 to 2008.

The enabling advantages offered by Dubai and key entities such as Dubai Studio City have been strongly endorsed by some of the film and TV production companies based in the emirate.

Tim Smythe, CEO, Filmworks, says: “For over 10 years, Filmworks has serviced numerous feature films from the US, Middle East and India, including the Warner Bros. film Syriana and Universal Pictures’ The Kingdom. We have recently completed principal photography for City of Life, which is the first multi-lingual feature film to be written and directed by Emirati Ali F. Mostafa and produced with UAE funding, intended for both local and international release. City of Life allows us to showcase Emirati talent internationally and create and sustain our own home grown film industry.”

Dubai already offers a vast talent pool – both on-screen and off-screen. Through training programmes and partnerships, Dubai Studio City aims to ensure this talent pool of professionals and freelancers continues to grow steadily.

Not surprisingly, the current global economic crisis has provided more opportunities for film and broadcast production companies in the region to turn around the slump in market moods with enhanced creative solutions.

Georgina Hockley, General Manager, Bareface Production, points out: “Creativity and innovation are keys to the success of any business, especially in the creative industry during the current difficult phase that has made conditions tough for businesses all over the world.

“Moreover, economic difficulty not only demands businesses to be innovative, but also resilient and resourceful. Bare Face is one of the very first stills production companies to operate in Dubai and this gives us a number of advantages. Our solid supplier and partner network allows us room to be creative with our offerings to our clients. In addition, we also think of these ‘down times’ as times to introspect, and devise internal development plans to ensure that we will come back stronger in serving our clients once economic conditions get better.”

Underlining the fact that Dubai is by far the best equipped location with the latest technologies, talent and expertise that may somewhat still be lacking in other parts of the region, Georgina Hockley adds: “This in turn means that it remains more cost-effective than other places and also the most convenient in terms of saving clients’ time, effort and resources.”

Dubai’s efforts are already beginning to pay off. Interestingly, an increasing number of projects come from well-developed film and entertainment markets such as Egypt, India, the US and the UK. Filmmakers from other regions’ emerging industries have also shown their preference for Dubai as a location for pre- as well as post-production activities.

Ian Ross, Producer, Central Films, says: "Most of our clients make us compete against Beirut in Lebanon or Cape Town in South Africa for shooting TV commercials. While Beirut has the advantage of lower production costs and Cape Town offers more varied locations, we still win clients with our whitest-sand beaches, great sand dunes and desert, stunning mountain roads and strikingly modern skyline and city landscape. Clients especially like the very safe environment as well as the much shorter flights from Europe and the Far East."

Looking forward, Al Sharif of Dubai Studio City, elaborates: “This year has ushered in a mixed bag of challenges for the world and it is imperative that we at Dubai Studio City leverage our strengths and turn the challenges into new opportunities. However, in the current economic climate, prudence is the watchword and markets should be assessed carefully, so that every emerging opportunity is capitalized at the right time.

“In terms of talent, industry knowledge and world-class facilities, we are confident the Dubai Studio City community is well positioned to adapt to the new economic landscape that works to the overall benefit of the media in the region. We expect five-to-10 per cent growth in 2009, despite the adverse impacts of the global financial crisis as we believe the entertainment business goes on during the good and the bad times.”

Currently, companies from Europe, the US and the Far East including countries such as India, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan are the most interested in choosing Dubai as a location for their productions.

Spread over an area of 22 million sq ft, Dubai Studio City will feature 14 fully equipped sound stages, a 3.5 million sq ft backlot for outdoor shooting, commercial offices, pre-built studios, a business centre and post-production studios. The first phase of the development includes three sound stages – one 15,000 sq ft unit and two units of 25,000 sq ft each.

Dubai Summer Surprises 2009 Presents: “Surprising Dubai”

Dubai Summer Surprises, the region’s biggest and most awaited summer shopping and entertainment event, unveiled a series of exciting activities for the twelfth edition in a press conference held on the second day of ATM on May 6, 2009. Attended by journalists from across the region and the world, Yousif Mubarak, COO of DSF Office, and Rania Al Mughrabi, Director of Events Strategy at DSF Office, announced the DSS 2009 highlights of the event through a presentation detailing the main elements of the summer extravaganza under the theme of “Surprising Dubai”.

“We were inspired by the unparallel attractions offered by our city and its state-of-the-art infrastructure, in addition to its ever expanding entertainment and shopping destinations,” said Yousif on the theme for DSS 2009.

Rania Al Mughrabi explained that DSS 2009 would be promoted with the theme of ‘Surprising Dubai’, incorporating all attractions of a vibrant city and those that the summer event will offer including some of the best shopping deals, world-class entertainment shows, prizes worth millions, and over 30 spas providing a rejuvenating experience.

Apart form numerous new inclusions, one particular attraction that aims to stand out this year is titled ‘Cool activities at the beach’. Activities include rain parties, barbecue nights, covered sun beds, beach spa treatments, and sea food restaurants to name a few.

Signature Events, a series of theme-based activities and a major attraction during the summer, will have nine events this year including the Sheila and Abaya Fashion, World of Stories, Junior Chef of the Year Awards, Min Bladi Al Emarat, Arts Oasis, Kids Fashion Week, Kids Olympic Games, The Collectors, and the Photography Exhibition.

• World of Stories: (12 June – 23 June)
Organized to recreate the fantasy world of fairytales and fables, World of Stories brings actors to stage to enact celebrated tales like ‘Cindrella’ and ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. The shows will be held in English and Arabic. A new addition this year would be presenting stories from the Holy Qur’an.

• Kids Fashion Week: (16 Jul – 22 Jul)
A glitzy fashion show by all means, the DSS Kids Fashion show sees some of the latest trends in kids fashion from across the region and the world and some budding fashion models on the ramp. Brands at the 2009 Kids Fashion Week include internationally renowned labels.

• Kids Olympics Games: (23 July – 29 July)
A competitive but fun-filled series of sport activities for children, Kids Olympics brings out the competition in children and their parents. A must-watch event for all families, the 2009 edition of Kids Olympics features two arenas to accommodate competitions for children of all ages.

• The Collectors: (27 July – 7 August)
An exhibition of various artifacts and collectibles, visitors can find seasoned regional and local collectors and prodigies with their valuable treasures. The collectibles displayed include cars, stamps, coins, photographs, car licence plates etc.

• Min Bladi Al Emarat: (1 July – 10 July)
A traditional event that focuses on Emirati heritage activities, Min Bladi has been a major crowd puller since it featured in In-Mall Events. The main attraction of Min Bladi is the competitions that are held to pick the best displays of local food and culture. The event is an authentic presentation of culture in the UAE.

• Arts Oasis: (9 July – 15 July)
A gathering of artists from around the world, Arts Oasis is an opportunity for all to meet some highly regarded and well-known resident artists and their works. Organised in cooperation with the Dubai Cultural Council, Arts Oasis 2008 will feature works themed on various cultures. The 2009 Arts Oasis will lay emphasis on the ‘Go-Green’ theme to highlight effects of global warming.

• Sheila and Abaya Fashion: (27 June – 30 June)
A gathering of talented local Sheila and Abaya designers, the Sheila and Abaya Fashion is among the most glamorous shows in Dubai for local attire. Featuring the hottest designs and the coolest trends in the world of abaya fashion, the event also hands out the best designer award.

• Photography Exhibition: (6 August – 13 August)
An opportunity for talented photographers to display their creativity, the exhibition attracts some of the best talents in the country. In 2009, the Photography Exhibition will be open to all talented photographers whose entries will be judged by an eminent jury for the DSS 2009 Photography Award. Another highlight of this event is the participation by renowned National Geographic.

• Junior Chef of the Year Awards: (8 July – 14 July)
Among the most prestigious awards in the Middle East in the hotel industry, the Junior Chef Awards are recognition of culinary talent across the region. The jury for the Awards include Master Chefs from around the world. During the event, multi-national chefs battle it out to showcase their finest preparations in numerous categories. A spectacular culinary display lasting seven days, the Awards attract around 600 chefs from all over the GCC every year.

Shopping in Dubai – win with every purchase
Dubai’s shopping malls, known for their expansive size and architectural detail, will be one among the main venues during DSS 2009, hosting several DSS activities and offering unbelievable promotions and discounts on a wide range of international brands. Shoppers in Dubai have a multitude of shopping options on a wide range of tax-free goods including electronics, garments, and some of the finest jewellery collections in the region.

The DSS 2009 Spa Packages – a rejuvenating summer
Visitors longing for some of Dubai’s summer retreats can head to the finest spas in the region. Over 30 spas in Dubai will collaborate with the DSF Office to offer refreshing and relaxing spa treatments to visitors. Visitors can choose from specialized treatments to discount packages. After an overwhelming response last year, the DSS Spa Packages return in 2009 with refreshing options to stay cool this summer. Some of the best spa specialists in the industry and a truly surreal ambience make Dubai’s spas every visitor’s ultimate relaxation experience.

Modhesh
DSS 2009 will also see its ever-smiling mascot, Modhesh, in renewed vivacity throughout the event. As the iconic figure of Dubai Summer Surprises, Modhesh has now evolved to become a symbol of timeless excitement and exhilaration enthralling visitors all through the year, throughout the world. Known as the ‘Ambassador of Smiles’, Modhesh will undertake numerous goodwill tours around the region this DSS, visiting schools and hospitals to meet children.

Apprenticeship Programme and Visiting Journalists Programme
During the conference, other DSS initiatives such as the Apprenticeship Programme and the Visiting Journalists Programme were also presented. During the Apprenticeship Programme, the DSF Office will host students from different countries around the world for an internship during Dubai Summer Surprises. The Visiting Journalists Programme has been revamped for 2009 to include journalists and their families for a stay in Dubai to experience the festivities of DSS.

Financial Architects Launches Middle East Office in Dubai

Dubai Internet City (DIC) a member of TECOM Investments, today announced Financial Architects (FinArch), an international provider of a Finance Resource Planning (FRP) platform, has opened a new branch in Dubai. Headquartered in Belgium, FinArch has offices in the US, the UK, Luxembourg, Spain, and Singapore. FinArch’s new office in Dubai will focus on the business development, sales and marketing of its risk and financial management software.

Malek Al Malek, Executive Director, Dubai Internet City, said: “It is our prime objective to affiliate with pioneers in various segments of the ICT sector that will contribute to expanding the range of business partners within our community. The presence of FinArch in Dubai will immensely benefit regional companies that seek expertise in Finance Resource Planning (FRP).

“We will continue to focus on partnering with companies that provide niche products and solutions. The cluster’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and the community of industry peers have strongly worked in favour of Dubai Internet City despite the current global economic situation. We, therefore, feel extremely confident about setting new milestones in DIC’s development.”
 FinArch has implemented solutions worldwide for more than twelve years, and has experienced a dramatic increase in demand for its Financial Studio solution. To meet this ever increasing demand for its solutions and to serve its existing customers more closely, FinArch already recently expanded its Business Development team in APAC, Europe and in the United States. With the opening of this new office in Dubai now, FinArch wants to better serve its strong network of customers in the Middle East, and wishes to increase its local presence in this area. FinArch’s Dubai office is led by Mounir Baccouche. Prior to FinArch, Mounir Baccouche was General Manager for EastNets and Ejada, two regional solution distributors and systems integrators. Other experiences include management positions with several Middle East banks.

Nigel Lee, Chief Commercial Officer for FinArch, said: “I am very excited by the challenges and opportunities for FinArch in the Middle East. Opening our new office in Dubai is the logical thing to do in terms of supporting our clients in the region and meeting the ongoing increase in demand for our solutions.” Lee added: “Our solutions are perfectly positioned to enable Middle Eastern banks to exploit the current economic situation. Basel II along with a host of strategic Risk and Capital Management functionality will better position our clients to increase return on capital and risk adjust performance measures to accurately assess the day to day success of their business. With an increase in regulatory control in the region and early adoption of new standards and reporting obligations, FinArch’s FRP based solution will provide our customers tremendous economies of scale in choosing 1 platform to serve multiple functional needs.”
 “Financial Transformation is the key to creating a more efficient and more effective financial institution. FinArch’s market leading Sub-ledger solution will give banks in the region an opportunity to gain greater clarity and greater efficiency in their accounting and Financial MIS activities.” adds Mounir Baccouche, Vice President for Regional Development, FinArch ME. “I am proud to open FinArch’s first office in the region. I believe we have the perfect combination of solutions, skills and experience to be a valuable strategic partner to banks in the Middle East and to strengthen our commitment to our existing customers.” Baccouche reflects.