RAKEZ Media Zone sees growth in SME businesses
New media licences and freelancer permits grew by 177%.
In May 2019, it issued 360 new media licences and freelancer permits, compared to 130 last year at the same time, recording a new high with a 177% growth.
It is quickly becoming a hub for media firms and professionals. Of the new licences registered, 150 are companies and 160 are freelancers.
“I am very pleased to announce the 177% growth in the number of media companies and freelance permits under RAKEZ Media Zone in just a year. Between 2018 and now, we have registered 360 media licences – both companies and freelancers – which is a great achievement for us.”Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ
In the press conference, Ramy Jallad, Group CEO of RAKEZ, said that the RAKEZ Media Zone is also planning the launch of new television channels, movie production houses and new media outlets.
Currently, it hosts more than 14,500 businesses within its various zones, industrial belts and economic clusters.
RAKEZ issues media licences to companies in the field of TV and radio broadcasting, animation, music, entertainment, publishing, advertising, communications, media services, production and film support, and events management, among the entire value chain of the media industry.
Speaking about the attraction of RAKEZ, Jallad said that they’re building a world-class media zone for media professionals and media companies. The emirate also attracts freelancers and SMEs owing to more economical living expenses, business-friendly environment and the permit to work across the country while operating out of RAK.
Besides this, media organisations within the RAKEZ Media Zone can benefit from having direct access to over 14,500 businesses, who continually need media services to advertise and promote their companies. Services such as advertising, public relations, publications, corporate events and consultancy, are in high demand.
Talking about the growing interest in RAKEZ Media Zone, Jallad said: “Since the relaunch of the Media Zone, our sales team members have been busy attending to enquiries and processing licences of media companies and freelancers. Our cost-effective, hassle-free and one-stop licensing regime is key reason for attracting media professionals and investors to register with RAKEZ Media Zone.”
He expects the development of the Media Zone with business-friendly facilities and modern technology to “play a great role in helping new media businesses to grow and thus become a hub for new media – print, electronic, digital and social media.”
RAKEZ Media Zone offers shared workstations, offices, customisable warehouses and land plots for developing media facilities, such as production studios.
The mutual cooperation between the NMC and RAKEZ Media Zone has been key in increasing the development of media companies that conduct all forms of media activities in the RAKEZ Media Zone.
A representative from the National Media Council (NMC) said that UAE’s flexible legislative and regulatory environment in the media sector has contributed a lot in increasing the number of regional and international media companies that are operating within the media zones in the UAE.
He also stated that they will be exploring more opportunities for cooperation and partnerships to support the investment in the media sector of the UAE, which in return enriches the comprehensive development and attracts more international media companies.
RAKEZ offers freezone as well as non-freezone licences to entrepreneurs, startups, as well as SMEs. It also offers customisable packages to freelancers and media professionals so they pay the licence only for the services they offer, instead of needing to buy a package of services. Jallad said that the RAKEZ Media Zone also allows them to add services as and when required. This is one of the most attractive features of RAKEZ Media Zone that is contributing to its growth.
Related Stories
What’s Next for Emirati F&B Entrepreneurs?
Can Innovation Solve MENA’s Food Security Challenge?
Simplifying Business, Accelerating Growth
