IT supplier targets Dhs276bn Mideast tech spend

"The current financial crunch has only positively affected our company. We have chosen to concentrate on providing computer hardware such as mainframes, servers and midrange storage systems to end users and IT specialist companies, while choosing not to be a full blown partner with any one computer manufacturer, as this enables us to offer HW from all over the world to the most competitive prices." Mr. Kock stressed.

Expounding on the benefits of his company being based in the Dubai Airport Free Zone, Mr. Kock said "Dubai Airport Free Zone offers a very easy and fast support for its tenants in the Free Zone and this is important to us as we value close relationships with our customers."

"Another major advantage of being located in Dubai Airport Free Zone is the cost aspect. Having an office in this Free Zone is risk-wise the best investment compared to establishing a full-fledged setup while growing business in an emerging market,"

Mr. Kock underlined.

"The current financial crunch has only positively affected our company as we have chosen to concentrate on computer hardware such as mainframes, servers and midrange storage systems and chosen not to be a partner with any one computer manufacturer," Mr. Kock stressed.

Expounding on the benefits of his company being based in the Dubai Airport Free Zone, Mr. Kock said "Dubai Airport Free Zone offers a very easy and fast support for its tenants in the Free Zone and this is important to us as we value our relationships with our customers."

"Another major advantage of being located in Dubai Airport Free Zone is the cost aspect. Having an office in this Free Zone is the best investment when compared to having a full-fledged setup in an emerging market," Mr. Kock underlined.

Mr. Ibrahim Ahli, Director of Marketing at Dubai Airport Free Zone expressed gratitude at the confidence of EPOKA in the Free Zone management and support system. "Currently 19% of our over 1,500 companies operating from the Dubai Airport Free Zone are involved in IT, Computers, Internet, Electronics and Electrical products and we are hoping to attract international companies in these industry sectors to base their operations from the Free Zone."

Mr. Ahli added: "An independent study has shown that Middle East and Africa regions are spending Dhs75bn annually on IT, computers and technology and is expected to grow to Dhs349bn ($95bn) in three years. The region has surpassed the US in IT spending at five per cent while the US spent an average of 4% on IT and computers."

The location of the Dubai Airport Free Zone within the boundaries of the Dubai International Airport is a key benefit that has attracted the large number of companies to the Free Zone and plays a pivotal role in providing a platform and easy access for international companies to reach GCC, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and African countries with their goods and services.