Agreement Aims To Improve Operational Efficiency and Customer Satisfaction

Dubai-UAE: 18th June, 2011- Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA) to assess the respective results of performance indicators aimed at improving operations and customer satisfaction at both organisations.

The MoU is in line with the efforts of Dubai government's policy to streamline its departments under one umbrella to achieve performance excellence. Benchmarking results of performance indicators and sharing practical experiences of institutions to maximize the learning curve are some of the measures taken by the government to support the emirate's economy.

Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Executive Vice-President - Corporate Excellence and Support at Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority, and Yousuf Behzad, Director of HR and Strategy at DAFZA, signed the MOU during a ceremony at the Dubai Airport Free Zone attended by senior officials from both organisations.

Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi said: "Through this MoU, we aim to strengthen our ties with every government department in Dubai. This will help increase institutional performance as the standards will be based on the comparative competitiveness. By doing so, we contribute to Dubai's vision of being one of the leading cities in the world in applying good governance standards and achieving full transparency and credibility in government and semi-government transactions."

Yousuf Behzad said: "There is a real need for various economic institutions in Dubai, especially those which seek to attract foreign investment, to align their standards in order to develop the quality of services offered. A joint effort will ensure high customer service standards, one of the most important elements that appeals to international investors.

"Given its experience of 15 years in performance results indicators, Dubai Airport Free Zone will contribute and enrich the development of the best practices."

The MoU defines the areas of cooperation to include a series of activities such as benchmarking the results of pre-set indicators for key performance areas and operational performance. Preserving the intellectual property rights of both parties, it also mandates sharing practical experiences, information, and best practices. This move is a joint effort to achieve Dubai's vision by comparing results of both organizations, within a framework of set principles.

A wholly-owned entity of Dubai Government, Dubai Silicon Oasis operates as a free zone technology park for the semiconductor, microelectronic and other high technology-based companies looking to set up their regional headquarters and R&D facilities in the Middle East and Africa region.

The Dubai Airport Free Zone is one of the most developed free zones in the world and has been designed to provide the best and most important investment opportunities. Over the years, DAFZA has offered important incentives deals in addition to unique support services to multinational corporations from all continents helping them set up their regional headquarters in Dubai, seizing thus many unique business opportunities in all the neighbouring markets.

-Ends-

About Dubai Silicon Oasis:
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), a 100% owned entity by the Government of Dubai is a free zone, strategically placed on the Emirates road. DSOA's urban master-planned community spans 7.2 square kilometers of state of the art office towers, R&D and industrial zones, educational institutions, luxury apartments, villas, hotels, healthcare and a full range of lifestyle facilities which translate into a dynamic commercial and social environment. Businesses can flourish under the unrivalled package of incentives, including 100% ownership, and high end IT infrastructure that allows companies to begin operating immediately.

For further information, please contact:
Mazen El Dirany
Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority
Associate Manager - Corporate Communications
Tel: (+971 4) 5015102
Mobile: (+971 50) 2266956
Fax: (+971 4) 5015200
Email:meldirany@dso.ae

Mathilda Saad
JiWin Public Relations
An APCO Worldwide Company
Tel:        +9714 361 3879 (direct)
+9714 361 3333 (switchboard)
+97155 699 9890
Fax:        +9714 388 8001
Email: mathilda.saad@jiwin.ae

© Press Release 2011