By providing advanced infrastructure, freedom of capital movement, and tax-free income, private sector investment has flooded into Dubai from around the world. Following this success, the Government launched the first technology and media free zone in the world – ‘Dubai Technology and Media Free Zone’ comprising : Dubai Internet City, which has become a world base for e-business and ICT industry; Dubai Media City, which has blossomed into a media community hosting numerous international companies; and Knowledge Village, which is a vibrant learning centre positioning Dubai as the Middle East centre of excellence for learning and innovation, housing a diverse community of knowledge-focused organisations.

Finally, Dubai is developing ‘Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC)’ with the goal of creating a regional center of excellence for medical services, medical education, and life science research and development in the Middle East enriched by international health care providers.

To develop, we have to transform our economy into an e-economy, and our society must become a knowledge-based one. It’s a long, hard road and we are still at the beginning. The successful team is the one that makes 1 plus 1 equal 11.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid El Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Minister of Defence of the UAE, 13^th December 2004