Dubai: Dubai Internet City (DIC), the region's premier ICT cluster and a member of Tecom Investments, on Sunday announced 2009 proved to be a successful year with the addition of 135 new companies.
It said several companies expanded business partnerships in the cluster amid a flurry of industry-related milestones including mergers and acquisitions affirming the region's strong fundamentals.
Communications leader Nokia Siemens Networks also expanded its existing facilities, as did Qualcomm, McAfee and Research in Motion, maker of the BlackBerry.
Malek Al Malek, Executive Director, Dubai Internet City, said: "The trying times during the year following the onslaught of the global economic crisis brought unpredictable consequences to companies globally and regionally. Yet the region's ICT industry weathered the storm as regional government spending on IT infrastructure continued while the entrepreneurial spirit of the region played a crucial role in pulling the industry through the crisis, giving the much-needed impetus to continue with our decade-old growth.
"DIC has once again sustained its annual growth with the addition of over 100 new business partners and we are delighted with our continued success as a major destination that attracts large corporations, SMEs and technology start-ups. But the tenacious success of our business partners amidst challenges further strengthens our confidence and we believe they are delighted to be part of a cluster that remains the key engine for growth in the region's ICT sector."
Kaspersky Lab, a leading developer of secure content management solutions, established its regional headquarters in DIC, aiming to use the base to cater to the region's IT industry.
Commitment
AT&T, the global telecommunications major, opened its new office in the cluster, underscoring its commitment to the Middle East and Africa region
Other ICT players that joined DIC last year include leading companies such as India-based Tata Communications, Norway headquartered Telenor Global Services, KDDI Singapore and Sophos Middle East.
Cementing its position as a driver of the region's ICT industry and as a destination that aids companies to grow and develop, DIC also witnessed key acquisitions within the industry.
In one of the biggest deals of its kind, Yahoo! acquired DIC-based Maktoob, providing further incentive to IT startups in the region.
Another business partner Tandberg, one of the largest makers of video conferencing systems, was acquired by Cisco recently. Cisco also expanded its already significant presence at DIC to accommodate its regional growth.
DIC has also been successful in attracting SMEs through its FirstSteps@DIC Business Center, a unique facility that allows new companies to test the region.
