Dubai Outsource Zone awards construction contract to Dubai Civil Engineering

Construction on the first phase of DOZ has started on a site adjacent to the 'Academic City' project close to Emirates Road. DOZ is developing a comprehensive infrastructure and environment for offshore service providers to set up global or regional hubs servicing the worldwide market.

"DOZ is designed to provide a business and community infrastructure specifically suited to the needs of the outsourcing industry," said Ismail Al Naqi, Director of Dubai Outsource Zone. "DOZ will provide one of the most cost-effective and supportive environments for onshore and offshore outsourcing service providers in the world."

Key features of the master plan include a Plug and Play Centre that will provide a ready infrastructure for BPO service providers to set up their operations and start providing their services. It contains a pre-built infrastructure for outsourcing companies equipped with the latest technology that enables companies to get their business up and running from the moment they move into DOZ.

In addition, the development will include a Research Centre for companies that offer outsourced R&D services and a Networking Centre to facilitate collaboration and increased business opportunities within the community. A significant feature of the master plan is a residential complex to be built by private investors. The DOZ master plan also includes sports, leisure and retail facilities that provides professionals the convenience of living and working in the same locality. In addition, this inexpensive residential facility will reduce personal relocation costs for employees of companies in the Zone.

Work on the first phase of the infrastructure has commenced and is scheduled for completion by the first quarter of 2006. It will create 250,000 square feet of built up area. The second phase will add another 200,000 square feet, to be ready by early 2007

About 50 to 60 leading offshore and onshore companies are set to establish facilities in Dubai Outsource Zone. These include local companies with interests in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) , Back Office Operations and the Call Centre sectors. Some others include US, European and Indian companies looking to relocate their existing operations from some of the established outsourcing destinations of the world to DOZ. DOZ is targeting a share of 5 % of the global outsourcing industry. In five years, DOZ seeks to have between 200 and 300 companies.

DOZ is the perfect base for both captive and third-party outsourcing companies to provide mid and high-end services in areas such as finance, accounting, IT, payroll processing, engineering, R&D and design. It also serves as a centre for disaster recovery facilities for call centres, which are located offshore elsewhere in the world. DOZ caters to offshore requirements from Europe, the US and the Middle East.