Dubai International Academic City Phase-III Becomes Middle East’s First and Largest LEED Certified Academic Facility

Dubai International Academic City (DIAC), the world’s only free zone dedicated to international higher education and a member of TECOM Investments, today announced its Phase-III complex has achieved the coveted status of the first and the largest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) certified academic facility in the Middle East.

DIAC phase-III has received the Silver LEED certification, and is expected to save approximately AED2.3 million per year from reduced energy costs, district cooling demand changes, irrigation water costs, sewage tanker and domestic water cost.

Comprising four academic building and a food court spread over a total built up area of 600,000 sq feet, DIAC Phase-III features several green building components such as heat recovery wheels, enhanced levels of insulation, optimization of fresh air through variable speed drives on air handling units, recessed windows, and significantly low lighting power densities.

The mechanisms are anticipated to make the cluster 21.7 per cent more energy efficient than the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1 – 2004 standards.
Dr Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director for Dubai International Academic City, said: “The Silver LEED™ certification of DIAC Phase-III buildings reflects our profound commitment to evolve as a more environment-friendly organization. Dubai International Academic City is committed to reducing carbon emissions, a fact underpinned by the implementation of a series of initiatives such as the energy and water conservation programmes.

“We are committed to providing our students and faculty a healthy and productive learning environment. And we hope to spread the message not only through demonstration, but also by encouraging our students to engage in green building assessment projects.”

DIAC’s LEED-certification initiative was achieved with the collaboration of TECOM Investments’ Sustainable Energy and Environment Division (SEED).

To date, TECOM Investments has a total of 46 projects seeking LEED™ certification. Each entity under the TECOM Investments umbrella currently boasts at least one building that is pursuing one category of LEED™ certification.
Ali bin Towaih, Executive Director of Sustainable Energy and Environment Division (SEED), TECOM Investments, said: “While TECOM Investments is a knowledge-based corporation with the largest number of existing building projects pursuing LEED™ certification in the region, we continue to demonstrate our relentless commitment towards endorsing sustainable development in the region that will make our projects more energy, water and resource efficient. Our primary goal is to attach a certain level of accountability to our developments.”

Over the last two years, TECOM Investments has taken a proactive approach to reducing its carbon footprint in the region. It recently earned the distinction of becoming the first-ever corporation in the Middle East to implement a Sustainable Development Policy, providing a comprehensive guideline for all TECOM buildings to reduce energy costs. Through its series of energy and water conservation and ongoing recycling programmes, TECOM further validates its commitment to endorsing green-friendly measures.

Dubai Studio City Smoothes Way for Paris Hilton Reality Show in Dubai

Dubai Studio City (DSC), the dedicated film production cluster and a member of TECOM Investments, announced today that it has smoothed the way for a season of Paris Hilton’s My New BFF to be shot on-location in Dubai in the coming month.

DSC facilitated the government approvals and locations approval through the Dubai Studio City’s Location Approval Services (LAS) department, as well as arranging sponsorship for show.

Viola Communications has been engaged to handle day-to-day production of the show, which is based on a format that has proven successful in both the US and the UK. In this version Paris will visit Dubai and invites potential best friends to compete in tests of loyalty, endurance and girl politics to find her perfect Best Friend Forever (BFF).

Jamal Al Sharif, Executive Director, Dubai Studio City, said: “A secure operational environment, remarkably attractive locales, incomparable logistical advantages and an expanding local talent base have made Dubai the preferred destination for film and television production.

“The decision to film the latest installment of Paris Hilton’s reality show in Dubai is a testament to our success in establishing Dubai as a preeminent and unique location for television production by facilitating the creation and development of an environment and world-class infrastructure to foster the growth of the television, film and music industries in the region.”

(LAS) department is the exclusive authority for issuing all shooting approvals in Dubai, LAS industry data collected over the past three years shows a strong and growing demand for production services., The department achieved a 33 percent growth from 2007 to 2008, receiving 1100 applications in 2008.

Mary Ghobrial, Project consultant, Viola Communications said: “TECOM Investments has been extremely supportive since the beginning of the project. The Dubai Studio City team has been instrumental in acquiring government approvals as well as the locations approval. They also greatly assisted us in finding sponsors for the programme Dubai is now a very attractive destination for the film industry.”

Spread over an area of 22 million sq ft, Dubai Studio City has 14 fully equipped sound stages, a 3.5 million sq ft back lot 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 Internet City Focuses on Technology as Education Enabler in the Region

Educators need to embrace technology and bring new capabilities into education curriculums to match the stimulation that young people are exposed to in their digital world, according to Malek Al Malek, Executive Director, Dubai Internet City, a member of TECOM Investments.Al Malek’s comments came as part of his keynote address ‘The Role of Technology in Education” at the one-day interactive SkillsInvest forum held recently at the Dubai Knowledge Village.Al Malek said: “Technology and education need to form a partnership to facilitate a life cycle of skilled resources and talent that stimulates innovation and creates a vibrant community of people and minds.“Technology has advanced enormously allowing us to witness and experience the most extraordinary things. Mass access to information today, for instance, means that a larger number of people are becoming more knowledgeable as they take vastly informed decisions in their lives. Technology has opened up the flood gates of opportunity for people with a common set of interests to come together and share ideas.”In his address, Al Malek examined how technology has enabled the permeation of information to all levels of society through the Internet. Al Malek continued and highlighted the importance of nurturing the local talent in the region to identify their strengths as future leaders and skills to drive a fast-developing knowledge-based economy particularly in the IT sector.He added: “Geographical borders are a thing of the past. Instead, the Internet allows people to reach out and accomplish things that make them the incredible people they are today.“Dubai has developed the fastest in the region being the first to create a diverse knowledge-based economy. Technology is the core for other sectors to grow and I have confidence that by working with the education and the IT sector will make technology the most powerful and positive force in people’s lives today.”Afif Ben Yedder, Founder and Group Publisher of IC Publications, stated: “This is the first of a series of SkillsInvest Forums. A policy report including the outcomes of the presentation and debates will be sent to one thousand policy makers, industry leaders and academics in the region.”He added: “We were delighted to have Dubai Internet City as our ICT partner. The ICT sector is key to the growth of the region and will play a major role in creating the jobs of the future.”Following Al Malek’s key note address, Charbel Fakhoury, General Manager Gulf Region of Microsoft concluded the session sharing firm beliefs that technology was an enabler in education that will continue to define the knowledge economy as people become knowledge producers. He added that education brings social inclusion and thanks to technology, it has allowed everybody at all stages in their lives to continue learning.Fakhoury also emphasized the need to encourage the younger generation to take an interest in math and science as figures reveal that there is an increasing decline of students who are turning their backs on subjects he believes to hold the key to further innovation and major breakthroughs.As part of its efforts to partner with local educational institutions, Dubai Internet City recently introduced an induction programme for promising graduates interested in joining the team. The region’s leading managed ICT cluster will also be present at the TECOM Investments Career fair which was held this week and designed to facilitate UAE national talent in the work place.
 

Pfizer’s Emerging Markets President Meets Dubai Holding Officials To Discuss Regional Strategy

Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DuBiotech), the major life sciences hub in the Middle East and a member of TECOM Investments, today announced Pfizer, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, is looking at expansion options of their regional headquarters for Africa and the Middle East, based at DuBiotech facilities.Jean-Michel Halfon, President and General Manager of Pfizer’s Emerging Markets Business Unit, met with high-ranking officials including His Excellency Mohammed Al Gergawi, Chairman of The Executive Office and Executive Chairman of Dubai Holding; Ahmed Bin Byat, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Holding and Executive Chairman of TECOM Investments; Abdulatif Al Mulla, Group CEO of TECOM Investments, Dr Marco Baccanti, Executive Director of DuBiotech, and Marwan Abdulaziz, Director of DuBiotech Park.Since establishing its regional headquarters in DuBiotech, Pfizer has achieved measurable growth in Africa and the Middle East.Abdullatif Al Mulla said: “TECOM Investments is committed to attracting leading global organizations to Dubai and contributing to the creation of a knowledge based economy. We are keen to work closely together and to host companies such as Pfizer as a member of our community. We believe Dubai will serve as an ideal strategic base for the regional expansion plans of the major pharmaceutical company.”Dr Marco Baccanti said: “As the region’s leading life sciences cluster, DuBiotech will play a critical role in providing the right resources to support Pfizer in the region. With our top-notch facilities, DuBiotech is well placed to support the pharma major’s current operations.“We believe DuBiotech is rightly positioned to help companies such as Pfizer sustain their pioneering status at the forefront of biotechnology.”Jean-Michel Halfon said: “Pfizer feels privileged to have the support of a major corporation such as Dubai Holding and its entities to build our already well-established operations. A base at DuBiotech will facilitate our efforts in meeting our long term objectives.”Biotechnology, which took off as a highly specialised scientific stream, is now at the heart of all biology and clinical therapy. With prestigious partners like Pfizer, DuBiotech is positioned to significantly transform biomedical research and clinical therapy in the Middle East.Currently, DuBiotech hosts some of the world’s top pharmaceutical/biotechnology companies, including Amgen, Aspen Healthcare and Merck Serono. Encouraged by intellectual property legislations, the government approach to clinical trials and new drug registration procedures, DuBiotech has firmly established itself as a globally recognized centre for the life science industries. 

Dubai Industrial Academy Provides HSE Training Courses For Construction Projects Within TECOM Investments’ Free Zones

Dubai Industrial Academy, the dedicated vocational training centre of Dubai Industrial City, a member of Tatweer Dubai, today announced it has commenced a series of health, safety and environment (HSE) training courses for site managers and labour supervisors at the Zoning Authority Development Control of the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone Authority.

The training courses, specifically designed as part of a safety initiative for companies operating in the construction industry, are a result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Dubai Industrial City and the Zoning Authority Development Control in November 2008.

The agreement mandates DIA to deliver a three-tier awareness programme, titled the HSE Passport System, for senior management, site managers and supervisors at the Zoning Authority Development Control. Designed to offer fresh insights and expertise on raising safety measures at the construction sites, the programme also enables companies to ensure their operations conform to global best safety standards. To date, over 200 engineers have been certified after the successful completion of the course.

Rashed Al Ansari, Vice-President of Dubai Industrial City, said: “We are committed to raising the awareness level of health, safety and environment among companies, particularly those operating in the construction sector. Our objective is to significantly minimise injuries at construction sites in areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the Zoning Authority.”

DIA has designed the HSE training courses in partnership with the Zoning Authority to comply with the free zone body’s regulations and focus on issues relevant to the UAE.

Al Ansari added: "Currently, much of the HSE training provision in the UAE is based on non-specialized programmes that are originally designed to cater to other markets. In contrast, the curriculum offered by DIA is completely customized, keeping in mind the requirements of the UAE construction sector and our clients in other industries."

Ali BuRuhaima, Deputy Director General – Zoning Authority Development Control, said:" Reinforcing HSE standards and culture is among the top priorities of the Zoning Authority. The HSE Passport Programme, offered through Dubai Industrial Academy, is designed to promote global best practices, international standards, as well as local expertise. Categorized in three stages, it caters to the needs of various levels of the workforce associated with the construction industry.

“The programme was well received in its first stage, demonstrating the importance we place on raising HSE awareness within our community to help create a safe work environment and prevent accidents.”

The first of its kind academy in the UAE, DIA was set up in partnership with the UK-based Technical Training Group (TTE), recognized as a ‘Centre of Vocational Excellence’ by the UK Government.

Accredited by the UK-based City and Guilds, as well as the Dubai-based Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), DIA’s short academic courses are offered to professionals in the industrial sector. The programme’s curricula are designed to primarily serve the six key elements of food and beverage, base metal, mineral products, chemicals, transport equipment and parts, as well as machinery and mechanical equipment industries that define Dubai Industrial City.

Dubai Industrial Academy aims to offer over 250 courses in Quality, Health, Safety and the Environment (QHSE), Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Power Engineering, Instrumentation and Process Control, Chemical Process and Laboratory Operations, Oil and Gas, Construction, Logistics and Transport, as well as in Technical and Supervisory Development.

Dubai Knowledge Village Partners With IC Events To Host Region’s First Education Forum

Dubai Knowledge Village, a member of TECOM Investments, today announced it will co-host a one-day interactive ‘SkillsInvest’ Forum to identify educational reforms required for meeting the future economic needs of the Arab world through focusing on leading industries that will drive regional growth.The event is organised by IC Events and The Middle East magazine, a division of the international publishing group IC Publications.To be held on 11 June at the DKV Conference Centre, the inaugural forum titled SkillsInvest ‘Growth through Education in the Arab World’ will provide a platform for regional participants to engage with global business leaders, policy makers, academic experts, as well as young professionals and students.Thirty keynote experts from human resources, higher education, ICT, banking and finance, as well as energy sectors, will participate in the discussions at the event that is supported by Dubai School of Government (DSG), a leading think tank research and teaching institution focusing on public policy in the Arab world.Dr Ayoub Kazim, Executive Director, Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City, said: “Dubai Knowledge Village is committed to complementing Dubai’s strategic mission to create a knowledge-based economy across the Arab World. The SkillsInvest forum will aim to provide incisive insights into the gap between the education system and the skills required for key economic sectors such as banking and finance, energy and ICT.“The event will throw open solutions that will help us lead and address the reforms required in our educational system to equip the next generation workforce with relevant skills for sustaining the region’s economic growth.”The SkillInvest Forum will kick-off with a general plenary session to discuss the skills needed for achieving the objectives of the public and private sectors. An open debate on skills that need to be developed to foster entrepreneurship and responsible leadership in the region will be one of highlights of the event that will also include industry-specific working sessions to examine the skills needed for promoting sustained growth and innovation in key business sectors.The first of its kind forum in the region coincides with the 35th anniversary of The Middle East magazine, the best selling pan-Arab monthly. Headquartered in London IC Publications have over 50 years’ experience in publishing magazines, newsletters, country supplements, industry reports and market intelligence on Africa and the Middle East.Afif Ben Yeddder, Founder and Group Publisher, IC Publications, said: “Human development and education remain at the heart of policy making, a reason why we are launching SkillsInvest in Dubai with much enthusiasm. With millions of young people poised to enter the workplace, the time could not be more right for hosting such an event in the Arab world. This event offers a unique platform to foster interstate cooperation and knowledge sharing between key stakeholders who are redefining human development policies in the region. It will also nurture new partnerships between the public and private sector.“Strategically placed between the West and the East, the region needs to gear itself up to take advantage of the shift in economic power. It is not by any coincidence that economic growth, prosperity and stability are positively correlated with strong educational values, workable policy frameworks and high levels of R&D investment.”Speakers at the path-breaking SkillsInvest Forum will include Tarek Yousef, Dean of the Dubai School of Government; Sheikha Aisha Bint Faleh Bin Nasser Al Thani, Member of the Qatar Supreme Education Council; Jeffrey Belnap, Associate Provost and Campus Director Abu Dhabi, Zayed University; Simon Jones, Director Abu Dhabi Men’s College, Higher Colleges of Technology; Malcolm Richards, Dean of the Business School, American University of Sharjah; Ghaith Fariz, UNDP Representative and Director of the Arab Knowledge Report, and Hanine Salem, Senior Project Manager and Co-Author of the Arab Human Capital report, RAND Qatar Policy Institute.The forum will also feature panellists such as Mohamad Khawaja, Deputy Director, Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship; Charbel Fakhoury, General Manager – Gulf Region, Microsoft; Badr Al Badr, General Manager Saudi Arabia, Cisco; Husni Khuffash, Country Manager UAE, Google; Nabih Maroun, Partner, Public sector, Booz & Co; Ammar Shams, Head of Human Resources UAE, HSBC; George Saab, Chief Human Resources Officer, TECOM Investments, and Clare Woodcraft, Regional Communications Director MENA region, Shell.Launched in 2003, Dubai Knowledge Village aims to consolidate the status of the emirate as a global destination for human resource management and learning excellence. It is a unique hub that offers the right investment opportunities in human capital empowerment, skills development and enhancement.The free zone cluster has evolved into an effective catalyst for training and learning for the entire MENA region, hosting a large number of HR training and development centres, management consultancies and e-learning providers.
 

TECOM Investments And Dubai World Sign MoU To Facilitate Knowledge Sharing

TECOM Investments, a leading developer of knowledge-based business clusters and a member of Dubai Holding, today announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Business Excellence Center of Dubai World, a global holding company that manages and supervises a portfolio of businesses owned by Dubai Government, that will facilitate knowledge-sharing and benchmarking best practices in retail and residential community management.The MoU was signed by Hesham Amiri, Executive Director of Customer Support Services, TECOM Investments, and Samira Shaloh, Head of Business Excellence Center (BEC), Dubai World. Other officials from both organizations including Kannian Shanmugam, Director of Asset Management, TECOM Investments, and Shahid Osmani, Practice Head of Business Excellence Center, Dubai World, were also present.The agreement will result in greater collaboration between TECOM Investments and BEC, and will cover areas such as the sales process, asset management, government services operations, and process management. As part of the MoU, TECOM and BEC will form working groups to oversee the implementation of the MoU.Amiri said: “This represents a significant step for us as we seek to continuously enhance the quality of our services on a par with international standards. Through this collaboration, we are confident we will leverage Dubai World’s expertise while simultaneously providing them with our core strengths and the way TECOM operates.“As key supporters of knowledge-based industries, our scope of activities extends beyond our group companies to include leading Dubai-based entities for the benefit of the community. We believe the partnership between our two organisations will be immensely fruitful in raising service levels to global standards.”Ms Shaloh said: “Creating benchmarks for best practices is what we do best at Dubai World’s Business Excellence Centre. We believe that this strategic alliance will enable the transfer of knowledge and operational excellence to TECOM in a mutually beneficial manner. This cooperation brings together two of Dubai’s foremost business groups in a common drive to achieve new standards of excellence in line with the vision set by the emirate’s leadership.”Sharing of knowledge and best business practices remains the core principle of TECOM Investments. Within its sphere of activities, the developer of business clusters has continuously sought innovative ways to facilitate a culture of knowledge sharing among in its entities and its business partners.Last year, TECOM conduced several benchmarking sessions with the UAE Ministry of Development for Government Sector and the Dubai School of Government, while also sending a high-level delegation to the Netherlands for a benchmarking workshop on excellence.BEC is the counsaltancy arm of Dubai World, whose portfolio of global companies makes possible the creation of an environment that promotes international best-practices, reflecting the shared vision of both organizations as key contributors to setting new benchmarks in business excellence.Dubai World is the only pact member, outside Europe, of EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management).

Dubai Internet City Business Partners Win Seven TECOM Pearl Awards

Dubai Internet City, the region’s leading managed ICT cluster and a member of TECOM Investments, today announced its business partners have won seven of the 10 categories at the TECOM Pearl Awards 2009.The seven business partners from DIC who won the awards included MasterCard Worldwide in the Globalisation and Diversification category, Marketboomer Middle East FZ LLC for Innovation of the Year, and 3i Infotech FZ LLC as Employer of Choice.Metadata was recognized for its exemplary Customer Service, while Oman Insurance Company took away the honours in the CSR Achievement of the Year, DUCONT FZ LLC received the Entrepreneur of the Year award, and Bayt.com won honours as the Company of the Year.Malek Al Malek, Executive Director, Dubai Internet City, said: "I would like to warmly congratulate all winners of the TECOM Pearl Awards particularly the seven winners at DIC. This is a remarkable achievement reflecting our status as a cluster hosting world class corporations that adopt global best practices as their fundamental business philosophy."This makes DIC feel privileged as an entity that sets precedence for high performance business recognition. We look forward to witnessing more of our business partners gaining wider acclaim on the global stage in future."Launched in 2008, the Pearl Awards invited the participation of all licensed Business Partners that have been operating for at least 12 months within TECOM Investments’ nine business clusters. The Awards were presented to winners in 10 categories for their outstanding contribution to organizational excellence within TECOM Investments.In his acceptance speech, Denzil Lawson, Managing Director of MasterCard Worldwide, said: "We are delighted to be awarded the inaugural TECOM Investments Pearl Award, in the category of Diversity and Globalization and congratulate TECOM Investments for creating a robust platform for recognizing and encouraging corporate excellence."At MasterCard we believe that diversity is an enabler that helps us deliver business results, drive innovation and deliver customized solutions in a global marketplace. These values permeate all our activities and have contributed significantly to our success across the varied countries we manage here in the Middle East and Levant."Award-winner Ivan Fernandes, Managing Director or DUCONT FZ LLC, said: "TECOM Business Parks host a number of outstanding entrepreneurs from around the world. To be selected as the ’Entrepreneur of the Year’ is a very satisfying reward for all the challenges that we have overcome in the past nine years. It also provides us with valuable industry recognition and is a ringing endorsement from both the industry as well as our customers."Akram Assaf, Chief Technological Officer of Bayt.com, said:’ This has been a remarkable year for Bayt.com’s business in every aspect including growth, innovation, community outreach and customer service. We are delighted and honoured to be recognized as the "Company of the Year" with this prestigious Award.  We look forward to many more years serving our communities by empowering them with their jobs of choice so they can lead their lifestyle of choice.’’As a pioneering destination that continues to propel the region’s sustained growth drive for the ICT sector, Dubai Internet City has launched several initiatives for the community to explore channel development opportunities.

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 Internet City Hosts ’Barcamp UAE’ For Technology And New Media Professionals

Dubai Internet City, the region’s leading managed ICT cluster and a member of TECOM Investments, today announced over 40 professionals attended the first-ever interactive BarCamp UAE conference, an informal gathering for technology and new media professionals from technical and business backgrounds.

Hosted by the ICT cluster at DIC Building No.3, the one day event saw journalists, public relations executives and digital marketers coming together to share knowledge, exchange experiences through active discussions, and analyse exciting new developments in their respective fields.

An ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment, BarCamps foster intense discussions and interaction among attendees. The gathering is free from scheduled speakers and instead has proposed topics that each participant wants to discuss. Chosen topics are then put together on a schedule and groups are formed to start an intense session of learning through interactive dialogue.

Malek Al Malek, Executive Director, Dubai Internet City, said: “BarCamp have been held in a number of countries
and proved enormously successful with participants gaining an opportunity to learn how effective social media tools can benefit their business. From increasing the client base to gaining significantly wider visibility, social networks are effective in opening avenues to a whole new way of tapping into the business community.

“At Dubai Internet City, part of our endeavor is to steer the ICT industry in a direction that will offer opportunities to create online business ventures in the region. The BarCamp UAE initiative was aimed at creating further value to an existing and well established ICT business hub in Dubai.”

The BarCamp UAE brought to the table a series of discussions on ultra start-ups, a new term otherwise known as a group of technology entrepreneurs who collaborate online and in person, to help each other launch startups quicker and cheaper. Issues such as how the concept of ‘cloud computing’ could be best utilized within an organization, and ways in which digitalization and connected technologies could solve real life crisis through virtual space, were also examined.

Kedar Iyer, a participant at BarCamp UAE, said: “We use social media tools everyday to make new friends, form interest networks, share pictures and videos, and spread news and information rapidly within communities. By effectively utilizing the power of social networks, BarCamps can allow people to explore ways of using social media tools to impact a marked difference in everyone’s lives.”

As a pioneering destination that continues to propel the region’s sustained growth drive for the ICT sector in the region, Dubai Internet City is committed to supporting the region’s small and medium size businesses with a particular focus on promoting web entrepreneurship, currently a fast growing trend in the business community of the ICT industry.

Hosting most of the Fortune 500 companies, as well as more than 1,400 specialised industry leaders from diverse segments of the information and communication technology sectors, Dubai Internet City has emerged as a global ICT hub, while catering to the region’s increasing focus on the knowledge-economy.