Page 274 - Aamir Rehman - Dubai & Co Global Strategies for Doing Business in the Gulf States-McGraw-Hill (2007)

256 Dubai & Co.

AT YOUR SERVICE: BUSINESS SUPPORT
FACILITIES
For companies in the services sector, the GCC’s business infrastruc-
ture holds great appeal, especially in contrast with facilities else-
where in the Middle East and in Asia. From office space and
telecommunications to business hotels and conference facilities, the
Gulf can offer professional amenities on a par with the leading busi-
ness cities of the world. Electricity runs uninterruptedly; tap water
flows properly; food is abundant, safe, and of international variety.
These amenities are part of the region’s appeal to multinational
companies—especially professional services firms—and to expatri-
ates across all sectors.
Since the 1970s, Bahrain has been a banking hub for the
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region. To attract global banks, the country needed to build office
complexes with facilities that catered to executives’ needs. Though
still considered a hardship posting by many, the country did pro-
vide amenities such as modern office space, telecommunications,
information technology, hotels, and conference centers that could
hold their own when compared with those in other markets around
the world. In the 1990s, Dubai embarked on a high-profile and
aggressive campaign—with advice from top-notch global strategy
consultants—to transform into a “knowledge economy” and build
the infrastructure required to attract and inspire knowledge compa-
nies and workers.
Dubai’s early free zones reflect the sectors that the emirate
most keenly sought to promote. After Jebel Ali—which was focused
on transportation, industry, and manufacturing—Dubai launched
its Media and Internet Cities. These free zones attracted global
media and technology firms such as CNN, IBM, and Microsoft,
along with the kinds of professionals who work for and admire
them. Not long after came Knowledge Village, focused on training
and education, and Health Care City. Besides ownership rights,
favorable tax regimes, and flexible employment policies, these
free zones offer robust infrastructure and shared services.
Amenities often extend beyond the basics such as technology, meet-
ing rooms, restaurants, and common spaces. Media City, for exam-
ple, offers access to freelance writers and media professionals
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who can be hired by occupants as needed. Free zones offer on-site