Region's Leading Managed ICT Cluster Aims to Boost Closer Collaboration with Premier Global Academic Institutions

Dubai: 28 March, 2010 - Dubai Internet City (DIC), a member of TECOM Investments, today announced a 60-member delegation from the ESSEC Business School of General Management of France, one of the world's leading institutions for management and higher education, visited DIC to better understand its economic strength and value added proposition.

The delegation, from ESSEC Business School's Paris campus, was welcomed by DIC's top management team led by Majed Al Suwaidi, Director of Commercial Operations. As current managing directors, general managers and CEOs, the delegates from the reputed business programme represent a wide range of industry sectors, including telecom, banking, insurance, Internet services and logistics - each with an average of 15 years of experience in their respective industries.

The DIC team briefed the delegation on the region's special industry practices and unique culture. They were also offered a presentation on the business concept behind Dubai Internet City and its continuing role in creating a knowledge-based economy in Dubai.

Al Suwaidi said: "The meeting gave us an opportunity to share insights about the region's fast-paced growth with the delegation. Through this visit, ESSEC team will gain a clearer understanding of the unique setting of the UAE economy, its ties with other GCC countries as well as the attractive business opportunities in the region - specifically in the technology and telecom sectors.

"We look forward to receiving more of these delegations from world-class institutions. Such exchange will help build closer collaborations with leading learning establishments among business professionals, further strengthening economic ties between France and Dubai."

Lamia Belkaid, ESSEC Program Coordinator said: "It was a great opportunity for our participants to visit Dubai Internet City and realize that Dubai is fast establishing itself as the global IT destination for many major companies. The visit enabled those on the ESSEC program to gain on-site experience in an attractive emerging economy."

At the forefront of the region's ICT industry, Dubai Internet City continues to work in collaboration with industry-oriented and non-profit organizations along with educational institutions to further develop the technology sectors. Attracting some of the world's leading corporations and professionals from the academia, DIC aims to drive and spread the spirit of business enterprise among both the ICT community and the wider region, through launching and delivering a range of networking and industry knowledge-sharing programmes that inspire and build skills in the world of business.

-Ends-

About Dubai Internet City
Dubai Internet City (DIC), a member of TECOM Investments, was established in 2000. It is currently regarded the Middle East's largest information and communications technology (ICT) cluster. Built as a strategic base for companies targeting emerging markets in several neighbouring regions, DIC's core focus area extends from the Middle East to the Indian Subcontinent, and from Africa to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), covering nearly three billion people with a GDP of over US$10 trillion. As a knowledge-oriented business model, DIC has created a dynamic international community of IT companies hosting business partners that include most of the Fortune 500 brands, as well as a number of small and medium enterprises and ventures. In 2009, 135 new companies joined the DIC cluster. For more information, please visit: www.dubaiinternetcity.com

For further information, please contact:
Angelina Wong
JIWIN Public Relations
Tel: + 971 4 369 2834
Email: Angelina.wong@jiwin.ae

© Press Release 2010