'Play' button pressed for new Dh1b facility

Dubai: DVD and CD manufacturer Planet Optical Disc is planning a second facility with a Dh1 billion investment at the Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO).

Subhash Dudani, chairman of the Dubai Airport based firm, said more than half the investment is for equipment designed to cater to new disc formats soon to be introduced.

The rest was for the facilities which will be one of the largest of its kind in the region, he said.

"We are in the process of finalising the site at the DSO and hope to start operations a year from now," said Dudani.

Planet Optical Disc, set up in 1999, offers total turnkey services of glass mastering and manufacturing of CD and DVD formats.

Dudani said the new project would be financed by raising up to 40 per cent equity within the group and 60 per cent by debt financing through financial institutions and equipment suppliers.

The launch of the new CD-R and DVD-R manufacturing facility recently accomplished the mission to provide all integrated digital media services under one roof, he said.

Main markets have been the Middle East region and Africa. "But for our high end products we cater to the global markets" said Dudani.

"We have maintained our competitive edge by providing top quality and services to the international and regional clientele," he said.

Optical Disc Systems, a magazine focusing on optical media manufacturing technology honoured Dudani with the 'Middle East Pioneer Award 2005' at the 4th Disc-Tech Dubai Conference, held at the Dubai World Trade Centre on Wednesday, a major buyer-seller meet of the optical media.