Tecom entities offer access to new markets for ict, manufacturing and logistics sectors in Pakistan

Led by Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the UAE Minister for Foreign Trade, the UAE trade mission included the Tecom delegation that was represented by Ammar Malik, Director Operations, Dubai Outsource Zone, and Saud Abushawareb, Director of Investor Relations, Dubai Industrial City.

The delegation focused on exploring avenues to broaden business collaboration between Pakistan's information and communication technology (ICT), manufacturing and logistics industries, as well as Tecom Investments' free zones such as Dubai Industrial City, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone.

The delegates also held discussions with Pakistan's Prime Minister and Minister of IT Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to identify collaborative avenues with Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone.

Malek Al Malek, Managing Director, Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone, said: "The UAE is becoming an increasingly vital gateway between the Western and Asian markets and continually welcomes global majors that seek to mark a regional presence. The ICT companies based in Pakistan are also eyeing new markets. Such companies will find an excellent base in Dubai Internet City and Dubai Outsource Zone, both of which are leading ICT hubs in the Middle East and North Africa region."

Abdulla Belhoul, Managing Director, Dubai Industrial City, said: "At the Expo, we registered a marked interest from Pakistan's chemical, logistics as well as food and beverage sectors that are well represented by their own distinct zones within Dubai Industrial City. Close proximity to road, air and sea ports allows Dubai Industrial City to provide a winning combination to these industries in Pakistan."

The volume of foreign trade between the UAE and Pakistan totalled $2.86bn in 2010 at a growth rate of 9%. Re-exports were worth $572m while exports reached $511m and imports $1.78bn.

Tecom's business parks have become synonymous to Dubai's emergence as a knowledge-based economy. Since the launch of its first business park, Dubai Internet City, in the year 2000, Tecom Investments has consistently grown to encompass many of the emirate's leading free zones.