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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.”
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FREE ZONES OF THE UAE
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Compassionate free zone International Humanitarian City offers a unique platform for UN agencies, NGOs as well as commercial companies
His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai established the International Humanitarian City (IHC) in 2003. Under the chairmanship of the UN Messenger of Peace HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the IHC has grown to become the world’s largest and busiest logistics hub for humanitarian aid with nine UN agencies and 41 NGOs and commercial members. The IHC is a free zone authority, which puts Dubai’s expertise in transport and logistics to support humanitarian aid. One of the world’s leading shipping centres, Dubai provides both air and sea links to countries in Africa and Asia, a number of which have experienced serious humanitarian crises in recent years — Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kenya, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Syria, Egypt, etc. Roughly half the current humanitarian emergencies are in the MENA region and most of the relief supplies shipped to Syria by UNHCR, WFP, IFRC, and UAERC are from the IHC. The total shipments’ value of emergency response sent from the IHC exceeded Dh300 million in 2012. The IHC offers its members specialised facilities and services, especially in logistics, designed to help them optimise the delivery of a broad range of humanitarian goods and services. The IHC consists of two separate complexes: Offices housing UN, NGO and commercial entities and a 68,670 square metre warehouse complex and open storage area of 23,654 square metres that contains stocks of: •
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Food, including specialised items like High Energy Biscuits and special supplementary foods for severely malnourished children like “plumpynut” and corn-soy blends. Medicines stocked primarily by the World Health Organization – IHC hosts the strategic stockpile of WHO. Tents, blankets, utensils, hygiene items, generators and water purifiers (UNHCR maintains supplies for up to 700,000 refugees). Vehicles, including off-road and other specialised types. There is a vehicle repair, maintenance, and upgrade facility in the complex. Communications equipment.
It is a community of United Nations (UN) agencies, international humanitarian, non-profit organisations and commercial entities, all grouped in an environment that fosters effective partnerships, social responsibility and global
His Highness shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the Uae and Ruler of dubai, with Ban Ki-moon, Un secretary general, at the iHc warehouse in dubai change. The IHC is a non-religious, non-political, non-profit organisation and the first hub of its kind that offers its members global reach, sophisticated infrastructure and custom designed services to facilitate aid and development efforts. Facilities The IHC has grown to become one of the largest logistics hubs in the UN humanitarian depot system and after its move to its location in Jebel Ali in early 2012, it is more than double its original size. The new site allows for rapid transfer of goods from both Jebel Ali Port and the new Al Maktoum Airport. Eventually, the complex will also be linked to the planned Dubai-Abu Dhabi railway. RegistRation and licensing The IHC offers membership to UN entities, selected humanitarian agencies, non-profit organisations, and commercial companies. The UN agencies are hosted by the International Humanitarian City based on operational agreements to facilitate emergency operations and development aid, while all other members are granted licenses. The IHC follows detailed regulations and criteria to register and license new members, as well as operational rules and regulations that ensure compliance with Dubai Government and Free Zone laws and standards. There are a number of criteria to qualify an establishment for registering a branch of NPO, the establishment must
be a non-profit organisation (NPO) and show proof of international presence. It should also be operational and active in the international humanitarian arena, while its main scope of activities must include disaster relief aid in cases of humanitarian, natural or environmental tragedy, assist UN agencies or other international NPOs through on ground assistance or through provision of funds, carry out development projects in response to humanitarian or natural disasters, or any other work of humanitarian nature. The organisation should also endorse a voluntary code of conduct or charter stipulation adhesion to the principles of impartiality, independence and neutrality in delivering humanitarian assistance. There are also certain criteria to register a commercial company branch or FZ LLC (incorporation of new company), which involves individual or non-individual investors to prove that it conducts direct commercial or noncommercial business engagements such as donating funds, volunteering or delegating of personnel and provision of key expertise, with UN agencies or other international NPOs; and company products and or services must partially serve humanitarian and relief requirements or logistics services. For further information on licensing and registration, please contact the IHC Registration and Licensing Services at reg@ihc.ae and you may view detailed information about the IHC general rules and regulations, registration and licensing guidelines and licenses’ activity list by visiting the IHC website.
p.o.Box 506030 Dubai, United arab emirates tel: +971 4 368 0202, fax: +971 4 368 1099 Email: info@ihc.ae Website: www.ihc.ae
FREE ZONES OF THE UAE
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Skycity is the first Airport Free Zone in Abu Dhabi Airports across the world have developed extensive airport city and Free Zone programmes that attract foreign direct investments and deliver billions in trade turnover, thus boosting airports’ nonaeronautical revenues, as well as significantly contributing to the local economies. The creation of Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone near to the Abu Dhabi International Airport is part of an initiative launched by Abu Dhabi Airports Company to attract and support private sector involvement. Skycity, the subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is responsible for developing and operating (Business, Logistics, Light Industrial and Commercial Parks; all within a Free Zone environment) welcomed its first customers to Abu Dhabi Airport Logistics Park’s first phase in July 2012. The Logistics Park accommodates a variety of businesses including aviation, logistics, freight, IT, electronics, light
industries and cold storage. Customers vary between local, regional and international companies looking to set up operations in a dynamic business environment. These companies use the Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone as their base and hub to access and service the global markets, as Abu Dhabi enjoys a strong edge both geographically and strategically.
rapid visa processing for employees in a “One-Stop-Shop” environment. Companies choosing to set up at any of ADAC’s Free Zone districts also enjoy duties and tax exemptions, foreign ownership, repatriation of
capital and profits, and other benefits traditionally offered at any Free Zone setup. At Skycity, the aim is to develop the Free Zone of choice for companies whose activities are in aviation, airport services, logistics, cargo, freight, supply chain, IT,
light industry, consultancy and many more industry segments and activities. Skycity provides all its customers with “transparency”, “easy-to-do business with” processes. Additionally, Skycity offers a Business Park environment located centrally within the boundaries of Abu Dhabi International Airport comprising of a variety of services including a business centre, hotel, retail outlets, food and beverage amenities and commercial office space. The Skycity Business Centre provides fully furnished serviced offices in a spacious environment. The facility is designed to enhance the flexibility to accommodate individual and corporate clients. Skycity is currently developing the first of a series of commercial office buildings located opposite Terminal 3 at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The first building will offer grade “A” fitted commercial space with a variety of office configurations and sizes. The facility is scheduled to start operations in the first quarter of 2015; offering convenient services such as security, retail outlets, proximity to the terminals, business and travellers hotel and underground parking.
The Logistics Park is the first among a series of commercial districts currently operating and additional facilities are being planned in close proximity to Abu Dhabi International Airport, with every district offering a unique set of products, services and amenities, catering to the targeted business segments and activities. Skycity also provides customers with a full spectrum of Free Zone services such as company registration, licensing, leasing and
For more information about setting up and registration Tel: +971 2 505 3403/25 | Email: info@skycity.ae | website: Skycity.adac.ae
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