United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, CERT Technology Park (CTP)
Background: The Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT) was established in 1996 and now constitutes a hub for a network of 13 Higher Colleges of Technology. It has established a network of spin-offs that will undoubtedly help the country enter the knowledge economy era. CERT operates two science and technology parks, one in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai, providing access to world-class experts in technology through more than 20 multinational partners. These parks were established to foster the use of the latest technologies in the United Arab Emirates while building the technological infrastructure required for further sustained development. Focus sectors: ICT
International cooperation: CERT has forged strategic alliances with a variety of multinational partners (including Lucent, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, Daimler-Chrysler and Thomson CSF) in pursuit of these goals, and also as a means to the emergence of a regional resource.
Dubai Internet City (DIC)
Background: 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 inside a free trade zone, and has the largest commercial Internet Protocol Telephony system in the world. 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 1.6 billion people with GDP $ 1.1 trillion. It is located in the Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce and Media Free Zone–TECOM. Focus sectors: ICT
Knowledge Village (KV)
Background: Knowledge Village is a vibrant, connected learning community that will develop the region’s talent pool and accelerate its move to the knowledge economy. It will provide the infrastructure for developing, sharing and applying knowledge. In addition, KV will facilitate, promote, and become the flagship for eLearning throughout the region. Focus sectors: Services (training in management, business, human resources as well as education support)
Established institutions and/or companies: Knowledge Village has a large community of business and academic partners.
International cooperation: Knowlegde Village established an international cooperation with Emirates Airline, HP, Microsoft, Biz-ability and the British Council on a new project called 'Tamkeen' (the Arabic word for 'enabling'), an initiative of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammed, whcih aims to empower UAE nationals and residents, who are vision impaired or partially sighted.
Dubai Media City (DMC)
Background: Dubai Media City was launched in January 2001. Strategically located at the crossroads of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, DMC has attracted more than 850 companies and 5000 knowledge workers. Dubai Media City has a free zone status, including 100% business ownership requiring no sponsorship and a guaranteed 50-year exemption from personal income and corporate taxes. Companies can also obtain broadcast licenses from Ministry of Information through DMC, eliminating the hassle of applying directly. Focus sectors: Media & Communication. Full list of established companies: Alphabetical search
Dubai Technology Park (DTP) Mohammed Bin Rashid
Background: The Technology Park is designed to attract foreign investment in research in oil and gas, desalination and environment management. It was launched in the year 2002 by the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corp (PCFC). Construction of the first phase, which comprises the infrastructure of the three square kilometre landscape and the main office building, began in the year 2003. Construction of the main office building, which started in October 2003, could take two years to complete. Meanwhile, the second phase of the park, which combines a research and studies centre facing Sheikh Zayed Road with a length of 5.7 kilometres, will go through four phases. Focus sectors: Advanced Engineering (material science), Agro-Food, Biotechnology (pharmaceutics), Environment (desalination), Petroleum (oil, gas)
International cooperation: The Technology Park is in the process of forming strategic alliances with a number of local universities and research institutes such as the Biosaline Institute in Dubai, and ERWDA in Abu Dhabi UAE. International organisations such as the International High Technologies Consortium from Russia have also indicated their interest. The Technology Park is also in the process of forming strategic ties with potential investment organisations and banks.
DuBiotech, Dubai Biotechnology and Research Park (DBT)
Background: The Dubai Biotechnology & Research Park (DuBiotech) was launched by HH General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, as part of Dubai’s 2010 vision to establish a knowledge based economy. The Park, which is located on 21 million square feet (ca. 2,3 square kilometers) near the Emirates (311) ring road, will service the entire industry, ranging from small incubators to regional offices of key biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, to manufacturing plants.
DuBiotech provides additional benefits such as being 100% tax-free, allowing 100% foreign ownership, and 100% repatriation of profits abroad. The construction work will start in the second half of 2005, and companies will be able to begin moving into operational premises by the second quarter of 2006. Focus sectors: Agro-Food (plant biotechnology), Biotechnology (pharmaceutics, equine-related biotech, genetics, stem cell research), Environment, Health Care & Medicine (medical research, infectious diseases and forensic research)
International cooperation: Dubiotech will cooperate with local and international organisations on this matter, ensuring that Park policy conforms with local and national regulations. Direct regulation and enforcement will come from the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) of Dubai. We will also conform to guidelines outlined by the World Health Organisation, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the US and the European Medicines Agency (EMEA).
Dubai Industrial City (DINC)
Background: The Dubai Industrial City, an industrial zone clustering manufacturing facilities in high value added sectors from the UAE, AGCC and Far East regions, will sprawl across 560 million square feet of prime land. It is strategically located near the new Jebel Ali Airport City, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Jebel Ali Port and several access points to the main highways leading to the other Emirates such as Sheikh Zayed Road and Emirates Road. The formation of the City is directed to ensure the focused development of the manufacturing sector and forms part of the overall master plan for the emirate, which has several facets - some of which are already being executed and with many more to come. Focus sectors: Advanced Engineering (machinery & mechanical equipment, transport equipment, base metals), Agro-Food (food and beverage), Chemistry (chemicals, mineral products)
The differentiating aspects of Dubai Industrial City is the efficient and professional structured approach towards catalyzing industrial activity by instituting world-class international standards, a dedicated logistics zone , Vocational Training for industrial skills and a commercial area.
International Standards: Activities in Dubai Industrial City will be governed under world-class international quality standards. It is only the first time in Dubai that industrial activity will be governed by international safety, quality & environmental standards. The standards will be set in partnership with leading global agencies. Dubai Industrial City will also introduce the Dubai Quality Mark (DQM) for products manufactures in the city. The DQM will be a guarantee to global markets that world class recognized international standards have been adhered to in the manufacturing of the product.