TECOM Investments Expands Organisational Structure

Abdullatif AlMulla, in turn, has mandated the creation of a new division, TECOM Business Parks as an umbrella organisation incorporating TECOM's free zone clusters.

Overseeing the various companies under TECOM Investments, Abdullatif AlMulla will steer the growth strategies of Media Services Group (MSG), eHosting Datafort, Empower, EIT, SmartCity and the newly established division, TECOM Business Parks.

Headed by Dr. Amina Alrustamani as the Chief Executive Officer, TECOM Business Parks will bring under its ambit Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Knowledge Village, Dubai Studio City, International Media Production Zone, DuBiotech, Dubai Outsource Zone, Dubai International Academic City and Enpark.

Broadening TECOM Investments' reach further to its international operations, Fareed Abdulrahman has been appointed CEO of SmartCity. SmartCity develops self-sustained townships worldwide based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village. With SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi being the first two townships to create a global network, Fareed Abdulrahman will continue to expand SmartCity internationally to develop significant hubs of excellence for knowledge-based industries.

His Excellency Ahmad Bin Byat said: "With the ongoing expansion of TECOM Investments, a necessary and obvious measure that had to be taken was to grasp a more focused approach from both, within and beyond the Dubai Free Zone Clusters. With his outstanding track record at the helm of TECOM Investments, it was a logical progression for AlMulla to assume a larger mandate."

Meanwhile, Dr. Amina Al Rustamani will be responsible for guaranteeing the timely delivery of projects, achieving greater cost and process efficiencies, enhancing customer satisfaction, while ensuring the entities remain aligned to the values of TECOM Investments.

Abdullatif AlMulla said: "Dr. Amina Al Rustamani has consistently demonstrated her ability to handle complex projects across different industries, while remaining dedicated to the values endorsed by TECOM Investments. I am confident in her ability to rise up to the challenging role and display unrivalled professionalism.

"As an excellence based and operationally sustainable organisation, TECOM Investments continuously invests in the realisation of Dubai's vision. This restructuring of TECOM Investments reflects the rapid growth of a conglomerate that constantly needs to innovate itself to remain a market leader. It will strengthen our growth into a diversified company that is committed to exceeding its business objectives while unleashing new leadership potential."

"Meanwhile, we will be placing a large focus this year on our international operations. With the great successes achieved by Fareed Abdulrahan, CEO of SmartCity; by implementing our strategic aspirations in various international countries. Both SmartCity Malta and SmartCity Kochi have proven that our move towards implementing successful models internationally was one that will reap great result both for the respective cities and their people as well as for TECOM Investments."

Representing a landmark in its rapid growth curve, the restructuring process also involves the reorganization of some of TECOM Investments' centralized departments and the announcement of new corporate leaders.

While Jamal Al Sharif becomes Executive Director, Dubai Studio City, Ismail Al Naqi will head Dubai Outsource Zone as its Executive Director.

Abdullatif AlMulla added: "Additionally Jamal Al Sharif and Ismail AlNaqi have both set exceptional standards of performance and integrity that have resulted in the remarkable growth of their respective entities, Dubai Studio City and Dubai Outsource Zone. Their continued drive and diligence augurs exciting times for both the free zones that stem out of innovative business concepts."

TECOM Investments free zone clusters have registered remarkable success over the years and the concept has been replicated by other countries in the GCC region and the Arab world. In addition, attracted by the growth story of the cluster model, a number of countries, beyond the Middle East, are in talks with the Dubai Government to establish similar entities aimed at either revitalising or diversifying their economies.