DOZ enters into third phase of development

DUBAI — Dubai Outsourcing Zone (DOZ) announced the start of construction on the third phase of the infrastructure for its $200 million free zone for the outsourcing industry.

By David Poort

Published: Sun 27 Aug 2006, 8:56 AM

Last updated: Fri 23 Aug 2024, 11:43 AM

The third phase will have a range of facilities customised to the needs of the companies entering the zone.

One of the key features is a Plug and Play Centre that offers pre-built infrastructure equipped with cutting-edge technology. This centre provides a ready infrastructure that should enable outsourcing service providers to start operations with minimal upfront investment. Meanwhile, work on the first and second phases of DOZ is nearing completion, with the first companies set to move in by October this year.

DOZ director Ismail Al Naqi confirmed in last week's report in Khaleej Times that the free zone is on the verge of signing contracts with two major companies, to add to the 70 already signed up. He did not want to reveal the identity of these firms yet, but admitted that one of them is in banking and finance and the other one in health care. DOZ expects to announce their arrival in the free zone just before Ramadan, the last week of September. "We are just waiting for the executives to come to Dubai and sign the contracts," said Al Naqi.

Firms that have already signed up with DOZ include du, the UAE's second telephone operator, ABN Amro Bank and AXA Insurance. du is set to open a multi-million-dollar contact centre, which will be equipped by a range of suppliers including Oracle, Cisco and Nokia. Arab Bank, Mashreqbank, the Jumeirah International group and InfoSpan are also planning to open outsourcing facilities in the zone. "Fifty-five of them will be operational before the end of this year", Al Naqi said in last week's report.

DOZ, located close to the Academic City in South Dubai, is aiming to grab five per cent of the global outsourcing market over the next five years and wants to have between 200 and 300 companies based there. The firms are attracted to the free zone not only by the state-of-the-art facilities on offer, but also by the heavily subsidised commercial rents and residential housing provided by DOZ.