|
The objectives behind the Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology
Park are manifold. Not only is The Technology Park designed
to serve as a regional platform to launch international,
local and regional technology businesses across the
Middle East, Central Asia and Africa, it also provides
an ideal vehicle to utilise qualified local resources
through sustainable capital-based development at the
same time as boosting Dubai's competitive advantage.
Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology Park has been designed
and developed after years of extensive research, and
as part of phase one it will be located south of Sheikh
Zayed road in Jebel Ali, covering a land area of 3 kilometres
square.
Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said, "Over the last
few decades Dubai has successfully established itself
as an internationally reputed business hub and in recent
years the Dubai Government's direction has focused strategically
on our role as an international information technology
centre. Through this Technology Park we can utilise
the gains made in both technology and knowledge-based
systems in a specific and focused way, which when channeled
and applied to industry will benefit the region as a
whole."
"Traditionally economic factors for success have
centred on capital, raw material and labour," he
explained. "Today in the era of knowledge-based
economy promoted by entrepreneurial leadership, success
must be built on a foundation of ideas and innovation.
The Technology Park will enhance the development of
the knowledge based economy, providing a wide range
of opportunities for technology companies."
International Interest
Discussions surrounding the launch of the Technology
Park have sparked off considerable interest from parties
in the local, regional and international business and
industrial communities.
MenaLink, a leading company in cross border technology
transfer has signed an agreement to launch a business
accelerator in the Technology Park. MenaLink has already
mobilized a network of leading technology partners and
begun accelerating an initial pipeline of projects.
Dr. Theodore Moran, Chairman of the MenaLink Center
stated, "Dubai is uniquely positioned to serve
as the region's premier technology hub, serving as a
window for leading companies to adapt, develop and launch
technical products and services for the Middle East,
Africa and Central Asia."
According to Stanley S. Borys, Chief Operating Officer
of the Gas Technology Institute (GTI), the premier US
gas institute, "As the US's premier, industry-led
natural gas research, development and education organization,
the Gas Technology Institute is optimistic about the
potential of developing business in the Middle East,
in collaboration with MenaLink, and with a base of operations
in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology Park. I am confident
that the GTI and MenaLink team will make tangible contributions
to the growth and prosperity of the gas sector in Dubai
and in the Middle East region as a whole."
Other groups that have declared their interest in joining
the MenaLink Center in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology
Park are: GE EDG, a GE subsidiary specialising in complex
engineering and design; Manufacturing Extension Partnership
(MEP), the leading US group specialising in technology
transfer to manufacturers; and the Idaho National Engineering
and Environmental Lab (INEEL), the leading environmental
lab of the US Department of Energy. Managing Director
of MenaLink, said "MenaLink expects to make substantial
investments in new projects from the Technology Park
over the course of the next 5 years."
Both RNGS, leading developers of gas & oil technology
from Russia and Middle East Development Co. specialists
in intelligent control systems, have registered a base
of operations in the Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology
Park.
Companies providing services associated with industrial
technology from across the United Kingdom, Switzerland,
Japan, USA and Korea have also expressed interest and
will potentially bring with them a range of activities
that include laboratory services, renovation services
for industrial plants, university research and technical
services and engineering and R&D projects.
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology Park will also focus
on attracting business accelerators, consultancy firms
and venture capital groups in addition to manufacturing
and industrial companies. High Tech services such as
design, consultancy, prototype production of incubated
innovations, industry and spin-offs will also hold viable
positions in the Park. Environmental management companies
will focus on water resource management, biosaline products
& technology, pollution management and control systems,
recycling industries and 'clean energy' industries such
as solar and wind technology. Health technology businesses
will concentrate on Biotech products and processes,
pharmaceuticals and medical devices and equipment.
Strategic Alliances
The Technology Park is in the process of forming strategic
alliances with a number of local universities and research
institutes such as the Biosaline Institute in Dubai,
and ERWDA in Abu Dhabi UAE. International organisations
such as the International High Technologies Consortium
from Russia have also indicated their interest.
The Technology Park is also in the process of forming
strategic ties with potential investment organisations
and banks.
Selected Technologies
The Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology Park is designed
to develop industrially-based knowledge economy 'clusters'
in Dubai. These clusters are developed in strategic
industrial sectors which will stimulate economic growth
and ultimately boost Dubai's competitive edge in the
region. Clusters will include a range of Research and
Development & product development companies, laboratories,
incubators, training institutes, technology transfer
and technology acceleration organizations.
The focus of the Park will centre on 'demand-driven'
industrial technologies. An important example of a demand
driven technology for this region is desalination. Countries
in the Gulf region use a staggering over 50% of the
global desalination supply, with UAE demand expected
to double by 2010. It is estimated that the Arab World
will invest 30 billion US Dollars in desalination by
2025. As yet, there is no specialized centre dedicated
to the development of this industry which is vital to
the region.
The clusters will also include a range of companies
in oil and gas, biotech, Pharmaceuticals, Agrotech and
material science.
Far-reaching associated benefits
There are a number of economic benefits achieved through
the creation of a Technology Park at both Macro and
Micro economic levels. Companies within the industrial
clusters in the Park will benefit from vertical and
horizontal linkages amongst themselves but so too will
Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation. Many companies
located in Jebel Ali Free Zone will enjoy increased
business ties and investments via investors based in
the Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology Park.
The Technology Park will support and complement a number
of Dubai's other initiatives and leading projects relating
to technology application, such as The Palm. Many companies
located in the Technology Park operate in the fields
of agriculture, ecology and marine environment. The
Technology Park will include over 100 technology application
companies which can support The Palm as one of the world's
pioneering developments.
Dubai's renowned services sector is also expected to
see business increase as the Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology
Park develops. Furthermore, the type of industrial companies
in the Technology Park will potentially provide benefits
to both Dubai and the region in terms of the study of
pollution, improved safety automation with tailor-made
intelligent control systems and an improved supply of
components through central warehouses for desalination
and other industries and components.
Bin Sulayem confirmed that Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology
Park will not include research and study projects alone,
but also technology transfer throughout the UAE and
the region.
Golden opportunity for the region's workforce
Especially important for long-term development in Dubai
and the region are the employment opportunities that
the Mohammed Bin Rashid Technology Park will offer.
In line with Dubai's focus as a proponent of the High
Tech and new education strategy, and with the cooperation
of universities locally and throughout the region, skilled
national graduates in specialized industries will be
able to find lucrative employment in Technology Park
industries.
"This has been a key objective behind the development
and research of the Technology Park," explained
Bin Sulayem. "The Technology Park will not only
raise the expectations, skills and abilities of the
region's workforce, utilizing local talent as a source
of long-term competitive advantage, the Park will also
bridge the gap between industrial viability and the
application of knowledge".
|
