By Rafiq Vayani
RAS AL KHAIMAH: The number of new media licences and freelancer permits under RAKEZ Media Zone has jumped 177% to 360 companies and freelancers in May 2019, up from 130 in May 2018.
RAKEZ repositioned its Media Zone in May 2018, about a year after the formation of RAKEZ in April 2017 and it quickly became a hub for media firms and professionals. Of the new licences registered, 150 are companies and the rest are freelancers.
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.
The growing interest among media professionals and investors in the media industry in RAKEZ Media Zone reflects the business-friendly environment, cost-effective licensing regime and the greater freedom to do business provided to companies registered by RAKEZ – one of the largest enablers of businesses in the Middle East.
Besides, the media organisations within the RAKEZ Media Zone have direct access to over 14,500 businesses within RAKEZ that constantly need media-related services, such as advertisement, public relations, publications, corporate events and consultancy, etc.
“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, says.
“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.
“Today, I am proud to say that we have established a business-friendly environment so attractive that investors from all over the world look at RAKEZ to invest and start their business in the UAE through us.
“I take this opportunity to also announce that we are in the process of setting up a world-class facility for our clients within the Media Zone that will 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.
“Our existing clients will have a great facility to work where their creativity will be appreciated by a growing number of industries and businesses that are setting up in Ras Al Khaimah, in addition to more than 14,500 companies that are already operational within RAKEZ.”
RAKEZ Media Zone offers shared workstations, offices, customisable warehouses and land plots for developing media facilities, such as production studios, etc.
A representative from the National Media Council (NMC) stated that the flexible legislative and regulatory environment in the media sector in the UAE contributed a lot in increasing the number of regional and international media companies that are operating within the media zones in the UAE. The massive development of media companies that conduct all forms of media activities in the RAKEZ Media Zone is a result of the mutual cooperation between the NMC and RAKEZ Media Zone.
The NMC representative also stated that they are exploring further cooperation opportunities 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.
