Dubai Outsource Zone opens for registration

Announcing this, Ismail Al Naqi, Director of DOZ said today that the new initiative's key focus is on the mid and high-end Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector. "Dubai Outsource Zone is keen to attract companies in the higher-value skill-intensive outsourcing sectors in areas such as finance, accounting, IT, payroll processing, engineering, R&D, and design. Because of its infrastructural strengths, DOZ also serves as an ideal centre for disaster recovery facilities for outsourcing operations located offshore elsewhere in the world," he said.

DOZ, the world's first Free Zone dedicated to outsourcing & offshoring industry, provides a comprehensive infrastructure and environment for both captive and third-party onshore and offshore outsourcing companies to set up global or regional hubs servicing the worldwide market.

"More than 50 leading companies have expressed a strong interest in establishing facilities in Dubai Outsource Zone. These include companies from US, Europe and the Middle East as well as companies looking to relocate their existing operations from some of the established outsourcing destinations of the world to DOZ," Al Naqi added. DOZ is targeting to have 5 % of the global outsourcing industry. In five years, DOZ seeks to have between 200 to 300 companies in the next five years.

Being under the Dubai Holding umbrella significantly raises DOZ's profile as an initiative that actively contributes to the development of Dubai's knowledge economy. DOZ will be able to leverage the Dubai Holding brand to effectively position itself as a cutting-edge initiative aimed at raising the capabilities of the region's outsourcing industry. DOZ adds considerable value and diversity to Dubai Holding bringing together talent and expertise in one of the world's fastest growing knowledge-industry sectors - outsourcing.

DOZ offers an unbeatable value proposition that addresses the key drivers of the outsourcing industry - infrastructure, costs and talent. DOZ's custom-made telecommunication facilities include next-generation telecom infrastructure, office space in intelligent buildings and facilities management, enable outsourcing companies to set up efficient operations. The package of telecom services include reliable and redundant high-bandwidth connectivity, satellite communication services as well as technical and infrastructure support. These facilities form part of an infrastructure which helps offshore service providers start operations quickly with minimal upfront investment.

DOZ customers have the option of leasing land or taking office space in intelligent buildings specifically designed for the outsourcing industry with advanced structured cabling supporting and gigabit applications. The first phase of DOZ, which will be completed by December 2005, will offer 35 plots of land and 250,000 sq. ft of office space in five buildings. Companies can lease office space upwards of 1500 sq ft to an entire building.

On the cost-effectiveness front, Dubai Outsource Zone offers a competitive alternative. People costs are one of the lowest in the world, especially when both direct and indirect costs are taken into consideration. Unlike some of the other outsourcing destinations, the workforce in Dubai is stable and attrition is considerably low. Investment in training and quality improvement, therefore, has a chance to manifest itself on the operational bottom line. Dubai Outsource Zone will be considerably more cost competitive when telecommunication costs, will drop as widely expected following the deregulation of the market and the emergence of new service providers.

Dubai Outsource Zone is also in a strong position to provide access to a talent pool necessary for the success of outsourcing operations. Dubai traditionally has provided easy access to cost-effective talent from skill-rich regions like the sub-continent, Egypt, Jordan and Iran. Moroever, DOZ is being built close to the Academic City that will be an easy source of fresh graduate talent. DOZ is located close to leisure, entertainment and tourist facilities making it attractive for knowledge workers to relocate.

Over and above all these benefits, DOZ's value proposition is enhanced by a range of services and facilities that it will offer. These include a mini shopping mall, convenience stores, food courts, gymnasium and tennis courts on campus. These facilities will be set amidst a beautifully landscaped environment with water features.

Dubai Outsource Zone offers the same financial benefits offered by the free zones including 100% tax exemption, 100 % ownership and 100 % repatriation. Support services offered by DOZ are aimed at reducing operational hassles for outsourcing service providers and helping them concentrate on their core business. Easy set-up, speedy incorporation and trade licensing, a fast-track visa service to hire staff quickly and easily, as well as facilities management, hospitality and event management services enable companies to focus resources on value-adding functions.

DOZ's potential was substantiated by a study conducted by a leading US-based consulting firm in 2003 that ranked it among the world's three top offshore locations, judged on the potential of available people, environment and economy.