K H A L E E J T I M E S | A DV E RT I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T | S U N d a y, J U N E 9 , 2 0 1 3
Poised for further growth
World-class treatment Dubai Healthcare City has successfully positioned itself as one of the leading global centres for healthcare excellence Since its launch in 2002 by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to meet the demand for high-quality healthcare in the region, Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) has successfully positioned itself as one of the leading global centres of healthcare excellence. Several factors have contributed to making it a reliable and credible partner to the international healthcare community. These include dedication to maintaining the highest standards, offering licensed professionals with the highest levels of expertise and partnering with institutions representing global benchmarks in medical care. Over the years the healthcare infrastructure at DHCC has evolved. In fact in little over a decade, the healthcare infrastructure of Dubai and the UAE has changed dramatically to support the rapidly growing population and economic boom. The Free Zone healthcare model, the first in the world, offers a flexible, tax-free environment to operate. Streamlined administrative processes, low costs and attractive investment opportunities, coupled with a location in an integrated healthcare community and access to a regional network of healthcare professionals has ensured that DHCC has seen an increase, year-on-year, in the number of partners coming here. Home to 3,700 licensed healthcare professionals and over 120 internationally acclaimed medical centres, DHCC offers patients a combination of leading expertise of medical institutions and pre-eminent healthcare providers. With 90 different specialties, the Free Zone is home to JCI accredited hospitals, internationally recognised clinics, global pharmaceutical companies besides being supported by many retail and commercial outlets. “The number of patients visiting DHCC
Marwan Abedin is increasing annually. In 2011 we received over 500,000 visitors (we do not have figures for 2012) and we expect this figure to have increased in 2012 and increase again in 2013. DHCC has also continued to see growth in the number of businesses and providers setting up within the free zone. Global revenue from medical tourism is estimated to be $30 billion and DHCC, as an emerging destination for healthcare and tourism, has taken an increasing share of this for the last three years. It is estimated that currently 15 per cent of our patients are medical tourists. Tourist arrivals are projected to increase annually by 7.2 per cent through to 2015, which will see an increase in visitors seeking medical treatment. In 2012, health tourism in Dubai generated $1.6 billion with this figure expected to increase in 2013,” Marwan Abedin, CEO, Dubai Healthcare City, said. Pertinently with several excellence clusters, Dubai Healthcare City offers 90 specialties across 13 excellence clusters in cardiology, complementary and alternative medicine, cosmetic treatment and dermatology, dental care, diagnostics and laboratories, endocrinology, weight management and nutrition, eye care, internal medicine and family medicine, mental health, orthopaedics and sports medicine, rehabilitation, as well as special needs, women and child health. “Our aim is to build a specialised medical talent pool locally, allowing the people of Dubai to be treated closer to home. We are collaborating with key global healthcare players and institutions to achieve this and further develop our education element. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre (MBR-AMC), the academic and research arm of DHCC, aims to provide, promote and facilitate academic and tertiary healthcare, education, research and community service of the highest quality to Dubai, the UAE and the region, for the ultimate greater good of our people,” Marwan Abedin noted.
Jumeirah Lakes Towers is preferred for its unparallelled location, prime real estate and efficient set up process Latha Krishnan The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) was set up by Royal Decree in 2002 in line with the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to establish the emirate as a global gateway to trade. Today, 20 per cent of the world’s physical gold passes through Dubai and it is also one of the top three diamond trading centres in the world, complementing traditional diamond centres like Mumbai, New York and Antwerp. In addition to being the region’s commodities hub, DMCC’s business activities include Free Zone and property services. It is the licensing authority and master developer of Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), the fastest growing Free Zone development in the UAE. A 200-hectare, mixed-use waterfront master development, JLT facilitates both business and community living by offering commercial, residential and retail property for sale and lease. “As of May 2013, more than 6,600 companies are registered at JLT and we are growing exponentially,” says Krysta Fox, Director of the Free Zone. “The companies are diverse, ranging from start-ups and small/medium enterprises to multi-nationals that have hundreds of employees working in JLT.” The industry sectors represented at JLT vary from commodities, logistics and luxury goods to retail outlets, consultancies, and financial institutions alongside hotels, restaurants, nurseries and training centres. DeBeers, Louis Vuitton, Lukoil, Harley Davidson, Talent Partners, and several international banks constitute some of the leading global names in JLT and have chosen the Free Zone for its unparalleled location, prime real estate and efficient set up process. When asked about JLT’s appeal, Fox
explains: “GAC, one of the world’s leading logistic and shipping services companies, joined us two years ago because of our corporate business environment. We are also excited to welcome our first higher educational institution, the Synergy University, an affiliate of the Moscow University set to open in summer 2013. While we already host Bonnington and Oaks Liwa Heights hotels in JLT, Movenpick has already done its soft launch and Pullman will open by end of this year.” Situated in the heart of new Dubai and serviced by two metro stations within the community, the JLT Free Zone is perfectly located to promote ease of trade and is in close proximity to Jebel Ali ports, Al Maktoum International Airport, and Dubai Logistics Corridor. Sectors are often clustered together which provides further business connections and growth opportunities. There are over 600 diamond related companies in JLT, the majority of which at Almas Tower, the tallest commercial tower in the Middle East. DMCC is also strongly committed towards enabling its members’ growth. As the only Free Zone that offers both freehold and leased property, members have the flexibility, support and services necessary to grow. “For example, a lot of start ups initially only use business centres and serviced offices,” explains Fox. “But as they grow, their needs change and they move into leased spaces and eventually decide to purchase space. Our Free Zone not only has the infrastructure to facilitate that growth, it has the right services — such as our own brokerage services — to make it easy for them.” In addition to property solutions, clients setting up a company are able to conduct a range of comprehensive services at the JLT Service Centre in Almas Tower — all under one roof. This includes utility set up, telecommunications, IT, fit-out, insurance, printing and government services and more. Likewise, online company registration processes, key client schemes, online documentation and visa requests through the Dubai Trade Portal are added advantages to make setting up a business at JLT easy and efficient. Industry specific services from DMCC include diamond and gold vaults, diamond polishing, boiling, grading, tea packaging and more. Going beyond setup services,
DMCC also focuses on bringing industry peers together through events, conferences and forums, to not only promote the growth of its members, but the growth of Dubai’s trade as well. “We host several industry events including major ones like the Dubai Diamond Conference that took place in March this year and the second Dubai Precious Metals Conference in April,” says Fox. “We also support and participate at many other international industry events. We often send delegations to our key markets in India, China, Russia, Turkey, the UK and other countries, which keeps us firmly on the strategic direction of our growth.” DMCC’s growth and development is expected to take a quantum leap with the upcoming JLT Business Park covering 107,000 square metres. Currently under concept design and construction to commence by end of 2013, the JLT Business Park will cater to the Free Zone’s growth which registers more than 200 companies every month. However, DMCC does not just cater to potential clients; it strives to accommodate the needs of its existing clients as well. By the end of this year, created by popular demand, one of JLT’s pristine lakes will be converted into a 55,000-square metre park with green areas, play grounds, exercise areas, Al Fresco restaurants and picnic areas. Fox concludes, “With these plans, we make certain that JLT remains one of the region’s most attractive Free Zones where people can work and live in comfort.”