DAFZA showcases world-class Achievements and initiatives supporting ICT companies at GITEX Technology Week

• Launching of ‘Smart Desk Package' initiative to boost SMEs’ share in non-oil GDP
• ICT companies represents 27 per cent of the total companies registered at DAFZA
• Sectors companies occupies 21 per cent of the newly registered companies

The Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) unveils its latest innovative and technology-driven projects at the 36^th GITEX Technology Week at the Dubai World Trade Centre taking place from October 16 to 20, 2016. This is a result of a long series of achievements led by the Freezone which is considered a main destination for major information technology, electronics and telecommunications companies aiming to establish a strong presence in promising regional markets. These sector-related companies comprise 27 per cent of the total companies registered at DAFZA.

With regard to the results of 2016, these sectors companies occupied 21 per cent of the list of newly registered companies. Additionally, they compose 24 per cent of the total leased space in the current year. The multinational companies in these sectors reached five per cent of the total registered companies in DAFZA.

DAFZA plays a pivotal role in supporting Dubai’s smart transformation and bolstering the growth of the national economy in line with Dubai Plan 2021’s goal of turning the emirate into one of the most prominent business hubs in the world. The Freezone is currently home to several of the world's leading IT brands, notably Luceco Middle East FZE, Global Services Solutions s.r.o, ASCOM MEA FZE, Havells Middle East, OBO Bettermann Middle East and North Africa FZCO, SMK - Logomotion Corporation Middle East, SanDisk, NEC, BenQ Middle East, Tally Solutions, Sennheiser, Netgear, Genetec, Axis Communications FZE, and OBI Connect.

The leading regions that have heavily invested in the information technology (IT) sector in the Freezone are the GCC and the Middle East with over 42 per cent of DAFZA’s total number of technology, telecommunications and electronics companies coming from these regions. They are followed by Europe at second place with 25 per cent, Asia at third with 20 per cent and the rest from other regions with 13 per cent.

DAFZA introduces its Smart Desk Package for the start-up companies it hosts at GITEX Technology Week 2016. The new project is of strategic importance as it consolidates the position of DAFZA as a preferred destination for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It complements national efforts towards increasing the contribution of the SME sector to 70 per cent of the UAE’s non-oil GDP by 2021. The new package will greatly boost the participation of various sizes of companies in comprehensive national development and in the current preparations for hosting Expo 2020 Dubai. It will encourage businesses to make good use of the investment incentives, competitive advantages and special services available at DAFZA.

One of the recently launched initiatives of DAFZA’s Innovation Unit is the ‘Double Up 3M’ program, an innovative initiative to develop entrepreneurial businesses within the Freezone. The program is engaged in identifying the challenges and overcome the obstacles that face companies operating in the Freezone. This initiative is in line with DAFZA’s commitment to support small and medium-sized companies.

DAFZA will highlight successive accomplishments in enhancing customers' experiences through the adoption a culture based on innovative and ‘smart transformation’ and the launching of high-quality projects that support all companies operating at the Freezone, primarily its ‘E-Payment Project’ for the service packages that DAFZA offer to the clients through its website and mobile app, as well as new business center featuring Multi Capacity Meeting rooms equipped with the latest advanced technologies for smart interactive presentations, video conferencing, and individual touch screen use, among others.

Amna Rashid Lootah, Assistant Director General of Finance and Commercial division, DAFZA, said: “Over the past few years, DAFZA has successfully built a strong presence as a preferred host for IT companies from around the world. Its highly competitive advantages, advanced infrastructure, smart services and investment facilities all make it a major contributor to the economic development of Dubai and the entire UAE. The remarkable growth in the number of international and multinational corporations involved in information technology, electronics and telecommunications that establish a presence here is proof of the global investment community’s increasing confidence in DAFZA as a key free zone player. DAFZA takes pride in its outstanding ability to provide distinctive business services and smart services for companies of all sizes and from all sectors.”

She added: “Participation in GITEX Technology Week is a priority for us at DAFZA as we seek to discover the latest technical innovations. We aim to fully support rapid economic growth and review the most prominent achievements on the path to smart transformation, in conformity with the sound directives of the country’s wise leadership. We also look forward to revealing a set of quality initiatives and ambitious ‘smart’ projects with a primary focus on the ‘Smart Desk Package,’ which we have developed in response to the growing demand from international investors who desire a package that helps them check the market while at the same time enables them to expand gradually in the UAE, the Middle East and North Africa.”

“We are optimistic about the new package as it will enable DAFZA to become a leading partner in the global movement of set-up companies initiated by the Dubai World Trade Centre--leaving a positive imprint in meeting the modern needs of companies. Apart from the smart package, we will present an integrated portfolio of smart applications featuring next-generation technologies. It will facilitate, for example, the ability to track attendees via smart phones, develop new sales packages, and automate the renewal of lease, employment, and other contracts. These will be of considerable added value to companies operating within DAFZA that are involved in information technology, and various other vital sectors,” she concluded.