Dubai Studio City, a member of Tecom Investments, has launched the DSC Market an online marketplace for film production, photography and ancillary services.

Revolutionising the way business is conducted in Dubai, the portal - www.DSCMarket.com - serves as a virtual souk for industry professionals from around the world to convene and carry out trade.

The B2B site connects people to places, sellers to buyers and companies to individuals, said a DSC official.

'Dubai Studio City is the main service provider for DSC Market to facilitate e-procurement activities, enabling both buyers and suppliers to conduct business online. It is a matchmaking market between film productions and any other party that supplies related products and services,' Dr Amina Al Rustamani, executive director of media, Tecom Investments, said.

Open to global businesses and public, visitors to the portal are invited to place their products or list their talent free of charge.

Ranging from equipment and stage props to pictures of homes and locations ideal for film shoots, DSC Market extends the opportunity to post details of talented pets, antique items, vehicles and a variety of services that can benefit film and production professionals.

In addition, the objective of this initiative is to be the first place of choice for any production house that seeks to post a production requirement or source likewise items.

Dr Amina said the DSC Market reflected Dubai’s vision to evolve as a global marketplace in the virtual world as well.

As online business transactions gather momentum, Dubai, which already hosts one of the world’s largest free trade zones for IT enterprises, offers enormous potential for this sector, she added.

“We believe our latest initiative will lay a solid foundation that complements the UAE’s exponential development, particularly in the broadcast and film production sector.”

With 75 broadcasters, 130 production companies and 850 Location Approval Services (LAS) applications processed last year, it is evident that the portal will augur well for the DSC community.

Jamal Al Sharif, DSC director said the latest initiative was in line with its commitment to boost the growth of local film industry.

'Using the portal is simple - search, find and procure - for no registration fee or commission. One simply needs to log on to the Internet and get connected to sellers, buyers, companies or individuals based in any part of the world.'

“With the DSC Market, suppliers and buyers now have a virtual venue to conduct their transaction that not only caters to the goods and service requirements of local film production firms but also that of global entities operating worldwide,” he added.
 
Spread over an area of 22 million sq. ft, DSC includes 14 sound stages, 3.5 million sq. ft. back lot for outdoor shooting, commercial offices, pre-built studios, a business centre and post-production studios.-TradeArabia News Service