Article:
ISSUE No.1 DECEMBER 2006

Dubai Techno Park

A project showing the way to the future brings innovation & technology to Dubai. Economic miracles become true. The gross national product of the United Arab Emirates grows since years in the two-digit field. Numbers of import and export increase proportionally. Civil engineering, trade and the financial sector boom and secure independence of the country’s economy from reliance on the oil sector. On the order of his Highness General Shei kh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum , vice president and prime minister of the UAE, ruler of Dubai, the science and technology park was founded in 2002 to ensure a transfer of know how in sciences and technology to Dubai.

The industrial park has been created by the government of Dubai in order to house companies in the fields of high technology, desalination and water winning, environmental technology as well as oil and gas technology. The Dubai Techno Park covers an area of 23 million square metres between the main connection roads of Abu Dhabi and Dubai
– Sheikh Zayed Road and Emirates Road. Due to the direct neighbourhood to the port of Jebel Ali and the new airport “World Central” ideal conditions for logistics and cargo exist.

Prospective entrepreneurs who wish to settle in Dubai have the choice between “on shore” and “off shore” areas. “On shore” means the land of Dubai whilst “off shore” means that this land is not part of Dubai but for example part of a free trade zone and that it is ruled by free zone laws. The seven Emirates compete with each other by creating economic zones with the aim of attracting foreign investors. It is important in this tough competition to offer practical and tailor-made solutions for companies.

Hamad Al Hashemi, Director of Techno Park, when asked about the concept of the Dubai Techno Park said: “We offer through our strategic location, the convenient infrastructure and the stimulating business environment an ideal framework for businesses that want to settle down in Dubai. Dubai Techno Park offers the unique combination of business conditions of a free trade zone on Dubai land. Thus we enable the direct and tax free admission to the local market. Our customers enjoy maximum administrative support through transactions of all the formalities directly with us. No other government authority interferes and we even are able to issue the visas through our sister company Jebel Ali Free Zone Authorities (JAFZA). In addition to that there are no restrictions regarding the number and nationality of employees. Due to all of those offers we enjoy an immense run of companies originating from all over the world.”

As per plan the infrastructural development of the ground should be completed in 2007. Afterwards up to 5,000 companies from different high technology fields will settle down in Dubai Techno Park. This innovative large project points clearly into the direction of the future through the positioning of the main focus on environment, water and energy.