Dubai Silicon Oasis to establish first German Centre for Industry and Trade in the region

The centre will be located within the German Business Park, a joint venture between Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority and Bin Jabr Group of Abu Dhabi and is valued at AED 500 million. This initiative, which aims at supporting foreign investment in the UAE, is located within the Silicon Oasis premises and is part of an 880,000 square feet business park.

Commenting on this unique initiative, Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer - Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, said:

'The UAE and Germany enjoy strong economic links that have been fostered over a long period of time. Many renowned German companies have based their regional headquarters in the UAE, with a strong preference for Dubai due to its world-class infrastructure, supportive business environment, and sustainable economic growth.'

'With the opening of the first German Centre for Industry and Trade in Dubai Silicon Oasis, we aim to cement further our relationship with our German partners and provide a high-tech platform of information for German companies to invest in DSO.'

The German Centre is a key component of the German Business Park, a mixed-use development offering an even wider range of facilities and services to its selective clientele. The park will also house a luxury hotel and fully furnished apartment buildings designed in line with German tastes and lifestyle best exemplified by a classic and revitalized Bauhaus style of architecture and design, coupled with state-of-the-art building and environmental technologies.

Saeed Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Bin Jabr Group, said: 'We are pleased to partner with the Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority to provide a valuable service for German small and middle-sized companies in the region, specially minimizing risks, enable long-term planning and utilizing synergies efficiently. German Centres worldwide combine the strength of German economic development through the close cooperation of the investors, leading trade and business associations as well as federal and state ministries. From its premises in Dubai Silicon Oasis, the German Centre is creating a unique platform providing additional and substantial advantage for German enterprises.

'There are currently six German Centres in the world and this will be the first of its kind in the Middle East. It will be managed by the operating company 'German Centre for Industry and Trade', a 100% subsidiary of the Joint Venture company German Business Park.'

The German Business Park along with its strategic alliance with Bin Jabr Group is one of the many initiatives being undertaken by Dubai Silicon Oasis to reaffirm its reputation as a cutting edge destination for small, medium and large companies. The advanced infrastructure at DSO and its solid partnerships with leading education and R&D organisations reinforce its role in developing a knowledge-based economy in the UAE.

The German Industry & Commerce Office (AHK) and its representative Dr. Juergen Friedrich have been involved from the inception of the project three years ago, guiding and supporting at all stages during this process. AHK is the only official institution authorised by the German Federal Government to promote bilateral trade and industry relations between Germany, the UAE, Oman and Qatar.

Dr. Friedrich said:' The UAE is the most important export market for Germany in the Arab World. Germany is one of the leaders in the field of applied environmental protection and can contribute significantly to the sustainable development of the UAE. The German Centre Dubai project shall be the vehicle to promote know-how-transfer and intensify the bilateral relationship between the two countries.'

Within this important framework, being carried out under the leadership and vision of the Dubai Government, the objective of the German Centre is to provide comprehensive support to German companies and institutions in diverse fields, and to assist them effectively establish their own bases of operation in such promising markets.