{{Short description|Information technology park in Dubai}} {{Infobox company | name = Dubai Internet City | image = Dubai Internet City Amphitheater.jpg | image_size = 300px | logo = Dubai_Internet_City_Logo.png | type = Free Economic Zone | founded = 1999 | owner = [[Dubai Holding]] | hq_location = [[Dubai, United Arab Emirates]] }} [[File:Microsoft Dubai.jpg|thumb|right|150px|The [[Microsoft]] sign at the entrance of the Dubai Microsoft campus, Dubai Internet City.]] [[File:IBM building in the Dubai Internet City.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[IBM]] building as seen from the Dubai Internet City amphitheatre.]]
'''Dubai Internet City''' ('''DIC''')<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dic.ae/ | title=Innovation begins here – DIC|website=DIC|language=en-US|access-date=2016-03-21}}</ref> ({{langx|ar|مدينة دبي للإنترنت}}) is a neighborhood and an [[technology park|information technology and business park]] created by the [[Government of Dubai]] as a [[free economic zone]] in [[Dubai]], [[United Arab Emirates]].
==History== Dubai Internet City, a member of Dubai Holding subsidiary [[TECOM Investments]], was founded in October 1999, and it opened its doors in October 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2019-10-31 |title=Dubai Internet City celebrates 20th anniversary - News - Emirates - Emirates24{{!}}7 |url=https://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/dubai-internet-city-celebrates-20th-anniversary-2019-10-31-1.690483 |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=www.emirates247.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |date=September 2005 |title= Dubai Internet City|url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/097282010500200204?journalCode=ajca |journal= Asian Journal of Management Cases|doi=10.1177/097282010500200204 |last1= Horovitz|first1= Jacques|last2= Ohlsson|first2= Anne–Valérie|volume= 2|issue= 2|pages= 163–209|url-access= subscription}}</ref> It was established by Sheikh [[Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum]]. It housed 100 companies at the time of launch.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2014-10-27 |title=Dubai Internet City growth continues on the right track |url=https://gulfnews.com/technology/dubai-internet-city-growth-continues-on-the-right-track-1.1404695 |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref> In August 2000, [[Siemens|Siemens Business Services]] (SBS), [[Cisco]], and [[Sun Microsystems]] received Dubai Internet City’s first major infrastructure contracts.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2000-08-03 |title=DIC awards infrastructure contracts - Arabian Business: Latest News on the Middle East, Real Estate, Finance, and More |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/abnews/dic-awards-infrastructure-contracts-143413-html |access-date=2024-05-02 |work=Arabian Business |language=en-US}}</ref>
Dubai Internet City, launched in 1999, is a technology district in Dubai that hosts offices, research centers, and facilities used by global companies and startups.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dubai Internet City as a hub for innovation and international growth |url=https://www.allstarsit.com/blog/dubai-internet-city-as-a-hub-for-innovation-and-international-growth |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=www.allstarsit.com}}</ref>
As of 2019, Dubai Internet City housed over 1,600 companies<ref name=":0" /> and has become the regional base of many of the world's news agencies as well as the main digital content generator for Arabic media.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-10-29 |title=A tale of two cities: Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City turn 20 |url=https://gulfnews.com/photos/news/a-tale-of-two-cities-dubai-internet-city-dubai-media-city-turn-20-1.1572376957630 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref>
Data center infrastructure provider Khazna announced it was establishing two new data centers in Dubai Internet City in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-23 |title=How Dubai Internet City is becoming a hub for tech companies |url=https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/02/23/how-dubai-internet-city-is-becoming-a-hub-for-tech-companies-to-reach-middle-east-markets |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=euronews |language=en}}</ref> In the same year, Intel announced the opening of its first artificial intelligence research and development center at Dubai Internet City.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-10-12 |title=Intel to open AI research centre at Dubai Internet City |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/technology/2022/10/12/intel-to-open-ai-research-centre-at-dubai-internet-city/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=The National News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-10-11 |title=Gitex Global 2022: Dubai Internet City to host Intel's first AI software R&D centre in the GCC |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/gitex-global-2022-dubai-internet-city-to-host-intels-first-ai-software-rd-centre-in-the-gcc/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=gulfbusiness |language=en-US}}</ref> Visa established its headquarters for the CEMEA region and technology conglomerate Meta Platforms also established its regional headquarters in the UAE at Dubai Internet City in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 8, 2022 |title=Facebook's Meta opens new headquarter in Dubai Internet City |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/business/technology/2022/03/08/Facebook-s-Meta-opens-new-headquarter-in-Dubai-Internet-City |website=Alarabiya.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=May 2, 2024 |title=Sheikh Hamdan visits Visa's new regional headquarters in Dubai Internet City |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/sheikh-hamdan-visits-visas-new-regional-headquarters-in-dubai-internet-city |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en}}</ref>
In 2023, Dubai Internet City signed a strategic partnership with German Entrepreneurship [[GmbH]] to provide support to German start-up companies seeking to do business in Dubai.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |title=Dubai Internet City and GmbH collaborate to strengthen the regional start-up ecosystem - ETHRWorldME |url=https://hrme.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/dubai-internet-city-and-gmbh-collaborate-to-strengthen-the-regional-start-up-ecosystem/104571229 |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=economictimes |language=en}}</ref> In the same year, technology company Yango expanded its offices into Dubai Internet City.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-10-20 |title=Yango expands its offices to Dubai Internet City |url=https://campaignme.com/yango-expands-its-offices-to-dubai-internet-city/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=Campaign Middle East |language=en-US}}</ref>
The economic rules of Dubai Internet City allow companies to be exempt from all taxes and customs duty for a period of 50 years guaranteed by law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-05 |title=Establishing a company in Dubai Internet City |url=https://www.pinsentmasons.com/out-law/guides/establishing-a-company-in-dubai-internet-city |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=Pinsent Masons |language=en-GB}}</ref> The park’s status as a free economic zone also allows it to offer 100% foreign ownership, similar to other designated economic zones in the United Arab Emirates.<ref name=":1" />
These freedoms have led many global [[information technology]] firms, such as [[Facebook]],<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Facebook's Meta opens new headquarter in Dubai Internet City |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/business/technology/2022/03/08/Facebook-s-Meta-opens-new-headquarter-in-Dubai-Internet-City |journal=Al Arabiya |via=alarabiya.net}}</ref> [[LinkedIn]],<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2012-08-28 |title=Social media giant LinkedIn connects with Dubai bringing jobs |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/social-media-giant-linkedin-connects-with-dubai-bringing-jobs-1.602137 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=The National |language=en}}</ref> [[Google]],<ref name=":0" /> [[Dell]],<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= 11 November 2013|title=Dell's global solution centre to open in Dubai |url=https://www.tahawultech.com/news/dells-global-solution-centre-to-open-in-dubai/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=TahawulTech.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> [[Intel]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-10-11 |title=Dubai Internet City to host Intel's AI software R&D hub |url=https://gulfnews.com/business/markets/dubai-internet-city-to-host-intels-ai-software-rd-hub-1.1665489878616 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Huawei]],<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-10-11 |title=Dubai's smart villa: Huawei, du unveil first 5g-A home |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/dubai-gets-a-5g-a-villa-what-does-it-mean/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=gulfbusiness.com |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Samsung]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dubai Internet City – Seven Consecutive Years Of Robust Growth - The Malta Independent |url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2007-11-14/local-news/Dubai-Internet-City-%E2%80%93-Seven-Consecutive-Years-Of-Robust-Growth-199678 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=independent.com.mt}}</ref> [[SAP SE|SAP]],<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=SAP invests $200 million in UAE, opens new Mena headquarters |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/sap-invests-200-million-in-uae-opens-new-mena-headquarters-2 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en}}</ref> [[Microsoft]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-08 |title=October 9, 2001: Microsoft opens regional base in Dubai |url=https://gulfnews.com/today-history/october-9-2001-microsoft-opens-regional-base-in-dubai-1.1908990 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref> [[IBM]],<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2008-10-23 |title=IBM, Intel open HPC centre in Dubai - eb247 - Companies And Markets |url=https://www.emirates247.com/eb247/companies-markets/technology/ibm-intel-open-hpc-centre-in-dubai-2008-10-23-1.57679 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=emirates247.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Oracle Corporation]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-07 |title=Oracle renews lease on Dubai Internet City office, says Emirates NBD REIT |url=https://gulfnews.com/business/corporate-news/oracle-renews-lease-on-dubai-internet-city-office-says-emirates-nbd-reit-1.74399133 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Tata Consultancy Services|Tata Consultancy]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 13, 2014 |title=Tata Group setting up Dubai office to boost growth in West Asia |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/tata-group-setting-up-dubai-office-to-boost-growth-in-west-asia-114061200761_1.html |website=business-standard.com}}</ref> [[3M]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-10 |title=3M expresses regional ambition with stunning new HQ at Dubai Internet City - Arabian Business: Latest News on the Middle East, Real Estate, Finance, and More |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/technology/3m-expresses-regional-ambition-with-stunning-new-hq-at-dubai-internet-city |access-date=2024-05-10 |work=Arabian Business |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Sun Microsystems]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=2004-02-24 |title=Sun Microsystems Opens $1.5 Million Regional HQ |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/244774 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref> [[Cisco]],<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2008-01-22 |title=Cisco plans to invest Dh5.8bn in Dubai |url=https://www.emirates247.com/eb247/news/cisco-plans-to-invest-dh5-8bn-in-dubai-2008-01-22-1.219331 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=emirates247.com |language=en}}</ref> [[Hewlett-Packard|HP]],<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=HP opens centre at Dubai Internet City |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/hp-opens-centre-at-dubai-internet-city |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Khaleej Times |language=en}}</ref> [[Nokia]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 12, 2005 |title=Vendors support GSM450 for emerging markets |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/abnews/vendors-support-gsm450-for-emerging-markets-210070 |newspaper=Arabian Business}}</ref> [[Cognizant]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 20, 2010 |title=Cognizant expands ME footprint |url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/cognizant-expands-me-footprint |work=khaleejtimes.com}}</ref> [[Accenture]],<ref>{{Cite journal |date=March 23, 2023 |title=Accenture Opens its First Innovation Hub in the Middle East for Dubai Tourism |url=https://campaignme.com/accenture-opens-its-first-innovation-hub-in-the-middle-east-for-dubai-tourism/ |journal=Middle East Campaign|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323012437/https://campaignme.com/accenture-opens-its-first-innovation-hub-in-the-middle-east-for-dubai-tourism/ |archive-date=2023-03-23 }}</ref> [[Hisense]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kashyap |first=Sindhu V |date=2024-09-19 |title=Hisense Opens State-of-the-Art R&D Hub in Dubai Internet City to Bolster Regional Innovation |url=https://www.edgemiddleeast.com/uncategorized/hisense-opens-state-of-the-art-rd-hub-in-dubai-internet-city-to-bolster-regional-innovation |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=Edge Middle East |language=en}}</ref> and as well as UAE-based companies such as Tecom Group,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-12-19 |title=Dubai Internet City to house additional tech players with new $120m investment |url=https://gulfbusiness.com/tecom-group-breaks-ground-for-tech-offices-at-dic/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |language=en-US}}</ref> Ducont,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ducont.com - an m-commerce pioneer {{!}} Al Bawaba |url=https://www.albawaba.com/business/ducontcom-m-commerce-pioneer |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=www.albawaba.com |language=en}}</ref> to move their regional base to the DIC. DIC is located adjacent to other industrial clusters such as [[Dubai Media City]] and [[Dubai Knowledge Park]] (formerly [[Dubai Knowledge Village]]).
Dubai Internet City is a frequent participant in the GITEX GLOBAL trade show.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2019-10-07 |title=Dubai Internet City at Gitex 2019: a catalyst for tech collaboration - Edge Middle East |url=https://www.edgemiddleeast.com/gitex/89553-dubai-internet-city-at-gitex-2019-a-catalyst-for-tech-collaboration |access-date=2024-05-02 |work=Edge Middle East |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2017-10-05 |title=Dubai Internet City to highlight its ecosystem at GITEX 2017 - Business - Emirates24{{!}}7 |url=https://www.emirates247.com/business/dubai-internet-city-to-highlight-its-ecosystem-at-gitex-2017-2017-10-05-1.659916 |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=emirates247.com |language=en}}</ref>
TECOM Group has expanded its Innovation Hub in Dubai Internet City adding new premium office space as demand from global tech firms grows.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dayanand |first=Nivetha |date=2025-12-18 |title=Tecom expands Dubai Internet City with Dh615m Innovation Hub phase |url=https://gulfnews.com/business/property/tecom-expands-dubai-internet-city-with-dh615m-innovation-hub-phase-1.500383740 |access-date=2025-12-30 |website=Gulf News: Latest UAE news, Dubai news, Business, travel news, Dubai Gold rate, prayer time, cinema |language=en}}</ref>
==Location== [[File:Dubai's Internet City.JPG|thumb|View of Dubai Marina from Dubai Internet City.]] Dubai Internet City is about 25 kilometres south of downtown Dubai city, on [[Sheikh Zayed Road]] between [[Dubai]] and [[Abu Dhabi]]. It is located adjacent to [[Dubai Marina]], [[Jumeirah Beach Residence]] and the well-known [[Palm Jumeirah]], areas which are rapidly becoming three of the most exclusive (and expensive) residential areas of Dubai. DIC is less than 1 km away from the sea coast and is near several five-star hotels. The nearest [[metro station]] is the eponymous [[Dubai Internet City (Dubai Metro)|Dubai Internet City]] station on the [[Red Line (Dubai Metro)|Red Line]] of the [[Dubai Metro]], located on Sheikh Zayed Road.
==See also== *[[Dubai Internet City (Dubai Metro)]] *[[Dubai Media City]] *[[Dubai Knowledge Park]] *[[Dubai Science Park]] *[[Dubai Holding]] *[[SmartCity, Kochi|SmartCity]] *[[Internet censorship in the United Arab Emirates|Internet censorship in the UAE]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|http://www.dubaiinternetcity.com}} *[http://www.dubaiholding.com/ Dubai Holding official website] *[http://www.articleworld.org/Dubai_Internet_City Dubai Internet City article]
{{Dubai Holding}} {{Dubai topics}}
{{Coord|25.095|N|55.160|E|type:city|display=title}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:2000 establishments in the United Arab Emirates]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Dubai|Internet city]] [[Category:Economy of Dubai|Internet City]] [[Category:Geography of Dubai|Internet City]] [[Category:History of Dubai|Internet City]] [[Category:Government-owned companies of Dubai]] [[Category:Science parks in the United Arab Emirates]] [[Category:Free-trade zones of the United Arab Emirates]] [[Category:Information technology in the United Arab Emirates]] [[Category:Information technology places]] [[Category:2000 establishments]]