Dubai Studio City explores opportunities with India's entertainment industry

Dubai Studio City highlighted its investment potential Thursday, at a global business forum organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) as part of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2006 in Dubai.

Addressing the forum that was held at Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mohammed Al Mulla, director of Dubai Media City, welcomed the FICCI delegation to Dubai on behalf of Dr Amina Rustamani, Executive Director of Media, TECOM Investments.

Al Mulla said: "Guided by the inspiring vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, huge investments have been initiated to create top-of-the-line infrastructure across different business sectors".

"Dubai Land, Dubai Metro, The Palm Island, and the Business Bay, among many other leading projects are testimony to Dubai's ambitious economic outreach", he added.

Al Mulla mentioned that Dubai Media City is working with Dubai Studio City, Dubai International Film Festival, and the International Media Production Zone to push the media and entertainment sector to the forefront of Dubai's economic surge.

"In the future, DSC sees collaboration opportunities for investment in production houses, film, television, and music studios. Together, we can facilitate sustainable industry-to-industry connections."

Al Mulla said DCS provides the same benefits that companies in the Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone enjoy.

"These include 100 percent tax exemption for 50 years, 100 percent ownership of business, 100 percent repatriation of capital and profits and no currency restrictions, serviced offices, land on lease, a one-stop-shop of support service and simplified licensing and incorporation."

Referring to the changing landscape of the Indian film industry and its emerging trends, Al Mulla acknowledged India for contributing to the development of the media and entertainment industry in the UAE.

"The Indian film industry has always been important to us. Indian filmmakers are increasingly making Dubai a location of choice. We are responding to this interest by creating world-class technical infrastructure and providing enabling-services such as location management services (LAS) to support all elements of the value chain associated with the film production process."