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Dubai Ideas Oasis (DIO), the Technology, E-Commerce and Media Free Zone's (Tecom) venture capital initiative, will be revived when conditions in the information technology industry are suitable, said Ahmed bin Byat, director-general of Tecom.

There are two very differing approaches to measuring success. The easier way would of course be to reflect on what has been achieved to date and bask in the glory that comes with it.

Having drawn an overwhelming response to its first two phases, Dubai Media City (DMC) will double the space allocated for freelancers in the coming expansion.

With the benefit of hindsight, it was a project that was just waiting to happen. By late 1999, Dubai had already notched up many impressive gains on the IT front - it was well on its way to being the springboard for international technology vendors to venture, or expand, into the Middle East.

The Iranian Union of Software Developers (IUSD) should be setting up a representative office at Dubai Internet City (DIC) by the last quarter of this year, according to Dr. Omar bin Sulaiman, the free zone's chief executive.

Saudi Telecom Co.'s (STC) initial public offering (IPO) is due in December and will be offered at very  competitive rates, says its president, Khalid Al Molhem.

Effective yesterday, a new management board under the chairmanship of Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was formed for the Dubai Technology, E-Commerce and Media Free Zone.

The Dubai Technology, E-commerce and Media Free Zone (Tecom) will invest Dh1 billion, including Dh800 million from the private sector, in several projects this year.

In a break from its earlier campaigns, Al Futtaim Motors (AFM) will target the "bigger" distributors of fake spare parts, according to a top official.

With expectations of war growing steadily, Dubai-based gas masks suppliers have received enquiries from across the Gulf and are expecting firm orders within weeks.

Parallel imports into the UAE market, particularly from Oman, have recorded a sharp drop with the implementation of the uniform customs duty across the GCC markets.

The UAE Insurance Association may have to call fresh elections to its board of directors following the resignation of six members, according to Ministry of Economy and Commerce officials.