Dubai Internet City (DIC) has announced that 32 ICT companies have newly enrolled into the FirstSteps@DIC business center in the first quarter of 2009, marking a 25 per cent increase.

DIC, the region’s largest ICT cluster and a member of Tecom Investments also stated that it has further expanded the FirstSteps@DIC business center, a unique facility that allows companies to test the region’s business environment with minimal upfront investment.

Companies operating under FirstSteps@DIC include small and medium businesses, start-ups and multinationals from various fields including service providers, software developers, online, multimedia and IT consultants.

These companies have launched their regional operations from DIC to explore the Middle East market with maximum ease and at minimum cost.

“Since its inception in 2002, the FirstSteps@DIC initiative has been widely popular with our new partners as it allows companies to focus on their core business activity while eliminating the need for high initial investments,” said Malek Al Malek, executive director, DIC.

“Many companies that utilised the FirstSteps@DIC programme to launch their regional operations have now become essential and permanent business partners of DIC.”

Symsoft, an ICT company which was established in 2005 through the FirstSteps@DIC business center, has grown since then to encompass offices in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman.

Bogdan Sacuiu, general manager - Middle East and Africa, Symsoft, said: “FirstSteps@DIC enabled us to access vital information during our initial start-up stage, provided us with strategic support and assisted us with everything from paperwork to getting the system networks up and running.”

“The programme helped us quickly create a base from which to operate freely, laying the initial foundation for our company to grow,” he added.

“This service significantly benefits smaller businesses as well as larger entities that are keen to explore the market conditions or establish a modest presence in the preliminary stages.”

DIC offers various incentives in its endeavour to promote and nurture entrepreneurship in the region especially in the ICT sector.

In addition to the FirstSteps@DIC initiative, the cluster offers state-of-the-art facilities including world class infrastructure to companies that seek to expand their footprint in the region.

In December 2008, Dubai Internet City won the prestigious fDi (foreign direct investment) magazine's 'Best Hi-tech Free Zone 2008-2009' award, reiterating its status as a leading global destination for technology companies. – TradeArabia News Service