Internet City News

A significant element of the U.K. government’s levelling up plan to create thousands of jobs, regenerate more deprived areas and attract overseas investors is the introduction of freeports. These special low-tax trading zones allow all kinds of businesses to trade.Under the U.K. model, freeports can encompass two different kinds of sites. On customs sites, authorized businesses will be able to import certain goods with simplified customs documentation and without paying tariffs. Domestic goods can also be held in a customs site and used in any manufacturing process.

Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) and the Jebel Ali Free Zone announced a joint venture with Oracle Corp. to establish the region's first e-business market. The Dubai Electronic Market (DEM) will start operating within 60 days, and would make it possible for businesses to buy, sell and compete on world markets. DPA will operate the project, while Oracle will provide the infrastructure and advanced technology. All purchase orders, confirmations, auctions and tenders will be processed on line by DPA. The move followed an announcement this month to bring local government services on line to speed up transactions, reduce costs and improve quality. Last year, Dubai announced plans to set up Dubai Internet City, a $272 million free trade zone for e-commerce.

Marlink officially announced that it is establishing a new business entity in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Marlink FZ LLC. The new business will be located in Dubai's Internet City and the company has plans to expand operations and increase technical and sales support in order to serve its growing roster of shipping companies and maritime customers operating throughout the region. Marlink is now strategically positioned to rapidly attend to the communications requirements of its maritime customers operating in the Middle East, reducing equipment installation and configuration downtime and ensuring shipboard satellite communications are ready to go when the vessel is scheduled to embark.