HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Announces Dubai Silicon Oasis' Revenue of AED504.7 million in 2014

•    DSO Direction Aligned with Dubai Plan 2021
•    DSOA Achieves 43% Net Profit
•    Total of 1,151 Companies Operating in Technology Free Zone Marking 28% Growth
•    98% Office Building Occupancy and, 96% Light Industrial Units Occupancy
•    Increase of 331,000 Square Metres in Office and Residential Space

Dubai-UAE: 15 March, 2015 - Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA) today announced DSO ended 2014 on a successful note, recording positive results across all areas of operations. Dubai Silicon Oasis registered AED504.7 million in revenue by end 2014 while accomplishing an increase in net profit that registered 43 percent of the total revenue. DSOA has also earned AED407.9 million in recurring revenue - a 20 percent increase over 2013.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DSOA, said: “DSO’s success comes as a result of the prestigious services that keep pace with latest technology trends in the world. Since the launch of Dubai Silicon Oasis in 2004, we have witnessed significant turnout by companies, entrepreneurs, investors and residents. Office building occupancy has reached 98 per cent, while occupancy of light industrial units is at 96 per cent. DSO has also completed more than 20 new projects in 2014, resulting in an increase of 331,000 square meters in office and residential space, 17 per cent more than what was delivered in 2013.”

Companies operating at Dubai Silicon Oasis have increased from 893 to 1,151 registering a 28 percent increase if compared with 2013. Nearly 63 per cent of these entities are from the IT industry while the remaining 37 per cent have interests in the commercial and diversified service sectors. The current breakdown of organisations by country represented in DSO is as follows: 38 per cent of the companies are European, Asian enterprises comprise 16 per cent, and American firms account for eight per cent. Canadian organisations cover two per cent of the businesses at DSO, whereas Australia comprises one per cent and 35 per cent represent MENA-based enterprises.

His Highness added: “DSO has developed a growth strategy until 2021. This strategy includes components that will help shape DSO’s future trajectory, in line with the emirate’s vision to become a smart, innovative city that encourages innovation and creativity and supports young technology minds to convert their ideas into successful tech-businesses.”

Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, Vice Chairman and CEO of DSOA highlighted the success stories achieved through “Silicon Oasis Founders” (SOF), DSO’s business incubator. Launched in April 2012 with the aim of supporting and encouraging local entrepreneurs in the IT industry, SOF has supported more than 250 entrepreneurs to date with their business plans, invested financially in five businesses, and is currently investing in three additional companies. The technology incubation centre offers emerging entrepreneurs an opportunity to advance their business through consultancy, mentoring, workspace facilities and networking opportunities and services,

Complementing SOF, DSO launched Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Center (DTEC), the largest entrepreneurship centre in this region. Spread over 39,000 square feet, DTEC is set for launch in Q1 2015. DTEC was conceptualized to provide existing and emerging hi-tech entrepreneurs and start-ups with a highly motivating and positive work environment. The facility will support entrepreneurial activities and boost the creativity of talented technology enthusiasts. DTEC will be hosted at the AED92 million 'Techno Hub' building, which spans a built-up area of 215,000 square metres.

Dr Alzarooni said: “SOF and DTEC will play a significant role in defining new investment opportunities in the technology sector within the Arab region. They represent two main pillars of DSO’s plans towards achieving a fully integrated environment built on the foundation of a hi-tech ecosystem and the technology sector. Taking these to the forefront, the core of creating an advanced technological society will be achieved and DSO will be able to quickly adapt to rapid developments in the technology industry.”

In order to achieve the desired results, DSO has initiated a number of researches to draw an accurate picture of the main challenges facing entrepreneurs, emerging technology companies and small and medium enterprises in the Middle East and North Africa region. In addition, Dubai Silicon Oasis conducted a survey on technology start-ups and emerging SMEs in the MENA region in collaboration with Google and YouGov. The survey polled 150 start-up entrepreneurs in the age group of 20-40 years across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco. The results indicated the urgent need to build an integrated system to support and enable those companies and help them establish and launch operations in the region.

In 2014, Dubai Silicon Oasis also organized ‘The Entrepreneurs Day’ contest during which ‘MENA Commerce’ was awarded the ‘Best Business Project’, while the ‘Irhal’ website was recognized for ‘Best Project- Islamic Economy’. MENA Commerce specializes in big data analytics enabling e-tailers and retailers in the region to enhance their businesses significantly. Irhal is a mobile app targeted at Muslim travellers globally.

The winners were judged on the basis of innovation, use of advanced technology, competitiveness, uniqueness of the product or service, research and understanding of the market.

The two winners are being provided with funding, incubation support, and a business license from DSOA. The overall winner, MENA Commerce, additionally receives three weeks of hands-on training at the PITME Labs, Silicon Valley on aspects such as product development, marketing, company modelling and customer acquisition strategies.  The winning start-ups are also granted office space at the DSO-based Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Centre (DTEC), which has been specifically designed to support entrepreneurs and young talents.

Furthermore, Dr Alzarooni discussed DSO’s plan to provide the necessary support to Islamic economy initiatives in order to nurture related start-ups in the region, by hosting the Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Centre, the largest such facility in the region. This comes in line with DSO’s commitment to supporting Dubai's ‘Capital of Islamic Economy’ initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. As part of this priority to provide a fillip to Arabic digital content, DSOA launched the newly developed TechTerms application that is available in both Arabic and English for free download on iOS and Android devices. The application acts like a search engine for technical words and is embedded with a state-of-the-art technology dictionary.

Dr Alzarooni stressed the importance of DSO’s plans to support the Dubai government in achieving sustainable development, stating that efforts to boost entrepreneurship at the hi-tech park are in line with the Dubai Strategic Plan 2021, Vision 2021 and the National Agenda that His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched in December 2013.

Emiratisation Policy

Commenting on DSO’s employment strategy, Dr Alzarooni said: “Emiratisation remains a key priority for DSO.  DSO has developed plans that aim to attract national talent and achieve 80 per cent Emiratisation by 2021. DSO has offered talented UAE nationals an opportunity to lead the organization - with 68 per cent of senior management positions currently held by Emiratis. At present, DSO’s headcount is 345 out of which 70 per cent are Emiratis. We strongly believe that careful nurturing of talent and expertise of both potential and existing employees benefit productivity in the long run.  We have implemented a strong and successful human resources policy in place that encourages incentivizing and motivating employees by offering the best training programs.”

Silicon Park, for instance, which is scheduled for completion by Q1 of 2018, will be one of the biggest projects that translates the concept of a smart city in Dubai while meeting the benchmark for globally recognized efficient technology solutions.

Silicon Park is the first integrated smart city project to be built in DSO at a cost of AED1.2 billion spanning an area of 150,000 square meters. This project is in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to transform Dubai into the smartest city in the world over the course of the next three years.

On a related note, Dr Alzarooni highlighted DSO’s free Wi-Fi project that reiterates the authority’s efforts to provide world-class connectivity experience to business partners. Complimentary Wi-Fi access is available across an area of 7.2 square kilometers, making DSO the first free zone in the region to provide this facility. To complete the project, 350 access points, 160 connectivity stations and 20 main stations have been set up to provide coverage to all public areas within Dubai Silicon Oasis. The network has registered 85,000 users since it was publicly launched early 2014.

DSOA has also signed an agreement with Dubai Police to support the strategy of transforming the emirate into a leading global smart city. The strategy features six key pillars and 100 initiatives on transport, communications, infrastructure, electricity, economic services, urban planning. Under its mandate, 1,000 government services will go smart in the next three years to achieve a smart city, smart economy, smart education and smart environment. As part of the agreement, Dubai Police will offer more efficient and less costly, simplified and quality services through mobile applications and digital solutions to ensure public satisfaction.

On the real estate investments front, Dr Alzarooni confirmed that DSOA has handed over the units of the Cedre Villas in three phases: March, July and September 2014. The AED285 million Phase-3 development includes 160 new luxury villas, taking the total count of units in the Cedre Villas project to 1,207. DSOA has also offered limited units for sales, offering to pay two percent of the land transfer fee incurred. Featuring modern architectural designs, each villa in the latest phase of development offers a total built-up area of 3,900 square feet.

DSOA continuously strives to build mutual cooperation with global governments and private corporations, while exchanging know-how on urban efficiency technology and strategy. The Authority has signed three MoUs during its visits to such cities, with Barcelona City Hall, Amsterdam Economic Board (AEB), and Spain’s Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM).

Dr Alzarooni said: “These agreements aim to promote technical and academic collaboration in smart city concepts. Such initiatives are in line with DSOA’s main objective, which is to cooperate with leading international smart cities in order to develop a research centre offering special technical expertise in smart city and promote collaboration among scholars and academia.”

DSOA has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) to support Dubai’s smart city initiative. The MoU mandates the installation of photo voltaic solar panels, development of efficient and sustainable smart applications, and the establishment of infrastructure and charging stations for electric vehicles in DSO.

In order to offer the best smart city services at DSO and at Silicon Park, DSOA has signed an agreement with du, the fastest-growing telecom service provider in the Middle East. As part of this agreement, du will explore the development of solutions, including providing telecom services for Silicon Park. Both parties will collaborate on the infrastructure design, as well as the setup and operation of a command and control centre at Silicon Park. Additionally, du will explore potential services that can be jointly delivered to better meet the communication needs of the wider DSO community: residents, employees and visitors. DSO will benefit from the delivery of the company’s superior telecommunication services to all connected buildings, plus end-to-end, fully managed WiFi solutions.

In yet another initiative, DSOA has also signed a MoU with the Dubai Carbon Center of Excellence in support of Dubai’s vision to build a green and sustainable economy.

As result of its continuous efforts to attract global companies, DSO signed an agreement with Chang Zhou Almaden Ltd., one of the world’s largest producers of photovoltaic anti-reflective coated glass, to host its new manufacturing and training facility at the integrated free zone technology park. The 15,000 square meter factory will be set up at a total capital cost of AED110 million, marking Almaden’s foray into the MENA region. Designed to produce up to 400,000 PV panels every year, the manufacturing facility is set for completion in Q1 2015.

DSO has also signed an agreement with the internationally renowned car manufacturer, Hyundai Motor Company. Hyundai will open a research and development centre comprising three industrial units spanning an area of 11,000 square feet. The centre will focus on the development of new car models and will be used for inspection and evaluation of vehicles post production.

DSO also plans to host the Fakeeh Academic Medical Center (FAMC), a smart hospital and medical university project, developed by Dr Soliman Fakeeh Hospital (DSFH), one of the region’s and Saudi Arabia’s premier healthcare providers.

Estimated to be built at a cost of AED1 billion across 150,000 square meters, FAMC will be constructed in two phases. Phase 1 of the project is set for completion in mid-2017 and will include the delivery of a 150-bed state-of-the-art smart hospital. Meanwhile, Phase 2 of the project will be completed in 2019, and will step-up the capacity of the hospital with an additional 150-beds. This phase will also add an academic component to the project through the opening of the research-focused university. The hospital will also include five centers of excellence that specialize in diabetes and endocrinology, muscles, bones and joints, emergency medicine, pulmonary medicine and cardiology.

In 2016, Dubai Silicon Oasis will welcome axiom telecom's new AED200 million hi-tech headquarters, an innovative campus-style facility that will seek to recreate the creative ambience of leading tech companies. Located over an area of 420,000 sq feet, the new axiom telecom facility - which is designed by the courtesy of the acclaimed Italian architects Marco Mangili Associati - will recreate the creative ambience of leading tech companies such as Google and Facebook featuring extensive green spaces, walkways and natural light. Inspired by the concept of a ‘town within a town’, the new headquarters will be fitted out with recreational facilities, multi-function rooms, a fitness suite, restaurants and a games room.

The modern industrial steel building concept has been designed to support axiom telecom’s community outreach initiatives through providing spaces for technologists to brainstorm, artists to create, and students and young entrepreneurs to showcase initiatives. In line with axiom telecom’s commitment to minimizing its environmental impact, the new axiom telecom headquarters will aim to achieve silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating. As part of this priority, eco-friendly materials and sustainable finishes, as well as a multitude of energy conservation measures will be integrated into the construction process.

DSOA has signed an agreement with a prominent retail group in the UAE to invest AED500 million to develop a new shopping center covering a total area of one million square feet. The project will be handed over in 2018. The agreement is line with DSO’s continuous efforts to provide a comprehensive service offering and confirm its position as a fully integrated technology hub providing an ideal living and working environment.

Reiterating DSO’s overall performance, the integrated tech park has received two ISO certifications: the ISO 50001:2011 certification for meeting the requirements in establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving its energy management system and performance, and ISO 14001 for environmental management system.

Dr Alzarooni said: “The ISO certification is another milestone for DSO’s efforts in integrating innovative and sustainable solutions. This has been made possible by creating a conductive environment with the right structure and policies in the free zone. ISO 50001 as well as ISO 14001 are based on the management system model of continual improvement that makes it easier for organizations to integrate energy and environment management into their overall efforts to improve quality.”

This achievement complements the Authority’s earlier success of gaining the ISO 9001:2008 for quality management systems and ISO 27001:2005 for implementing global standards in Information Security Management Systems at the high-tech park.

Dr Alzarooni additionally commended Dubai Silicon Oasis’s social responsibility strategy, which is based on three main pillars: the environment, human capital and community. DSO has launched and implemented various initiatives addressing these pillars of concerns.

Under the community pillar, DSOA launched a community website www.dsocity.ae that serves as a ready reference for DSO’s residents and business partners to find shops, restaurants and other facilities in their community. Dr Alzarooni highlighted that the number of residents and employees at DSO has increased from 35,985 to 43,799 plus - registering a 22 per cent growth from last year. The new community website will update users about latest events being held at DSO and carry photo galleries and videos. The website was developed to offer a user-friendly interface and make the browser’s experience seamless, while optimising search engine capabilities to provide the information quickly and easily.

Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority organized a one-day smart city awareness session for the community’s residents and business partners, in a move to encourage the adoption of smart technology and innovation in their daily lives. The session witnessed the launch of the online portal ‘CitySPark: We listen to our Community’, which invites community members to share ideas and participate in DSO’s activities.

Reiterating its corporate social responsibility mandate, Dubai Silicon Oasis joined hands with Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to organize a blood donation drive in aid of blood diseases such as thalassemia. The drive concluded with the collection of 95 units of healthy and conformable blood.

Additionally, DSOA pledged AED2 million to the UAE Water Aid Initiative ‘UAE Suqia’ launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which aims to provide clean water to five million people worldwide. The initiative will be implemented through the digging of wells and facilitating the provision of water pumps and water purification equipment to needy areas.

On the sports front, Dubai Silicon Oasis celebrated the victory of Al Nasr Club at the GCC Clubs Championship 2014 with a special ceremony held at DSO's headquarters. DSO’s initiative to sponsor Al Nasr Club articulated its keenness to support local teams and help them play world class sport on the local and regional level.

Notably, DSO has placed special focus to the environment, a key pillar in its CSR strategy, across all its projects and initiatives. As part of this goal, the integrated park has committed itself to implementing concepts that support the three waste management pillars of reducing, reusing and recycling. Additionally, DSO has been participating in the global Earth Hour initiative every year since 2008. DSO is also the only organization that celebrates the ‘Energy Hour’ every month. On this day, Dubai Silicon Oasis encourages all people living or working in DSO to turn the lights off. This unique initiative allows for the saving of 2,000 kilowatts of energy per month.

In commemoration of the World Earth Day, DSOA employees joined hands with business partners and staff of the community to plant Ghaf and Semmer trees within DSO. Saplings were also distributed among business partners and residents.

For the second year in a row, DSO’s Clean-up Drive welcomed more than 250 employees, residents and school children. The activity saw volunteers cleaning nine zones across the park and distributing more than 1,000 car trash bags to drivers. The effort was designed to raise awareness on the protection and preservation of the environment.

As for the third pillar - human capital - DSOA has launched its ‘Happiest People’ initiative to underline the priority it places on its employees. Through this initiative, DSOA aims to maximize the capacity of its employees to deliver optimal performance and service excellence by cultivating a positive work culture. DSO seeks to boost satisfaction levels and enhance employee engagement across sectors including events, policy-making, services, tools, and taskforces, which in turn increase their sense of ownership and loyalty towards the organization.

Dubai Silicon Oasis has launched the online portal ‘MindSPark’ for DSOA employees to crowd source innovative ideas and address specific business challenges or opportunities. This initiative is aligned with the Dubai Innovation Strategy that was recently introduced by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, under the directive of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

On a final note, Dr Alzarooni shed light on the yearly fire and evacuation drill that is scheduled in collaboration with Dubai Civil Defence, in a bid to ensure the security and safety of DSO staff, residents, business partners and community visitors on a wider scale. DSO has also developed security measures and response protocols, as well as installed CCTV cameras to ensure a safe environment for residents and business partners.

A wholly-owned entity of the government of Dubai, DSO operates as a free zone technology park for large enterprises, medium and small companies looking to set up their offices in Dubai.