Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the integrated free zone technology park, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Infocomm Investments Pte Ltd (IIPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) of the Government of Singapore, to facilitate synergies between the two organizations in supporting joint programmes and activities that foster innovation and technology entrepreneurship over the next three years.

The MoU was signed by Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DSOA and Dr Alex Lin, Head of IIPL, in the presence of Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister of Communications and Information in Singapore. The signing ceremony was part of IIPL’s celebration of the first anniversary of BASH (Build Amazing Start-ups Here), Singapore’s largest integrated start-up space.

As part of the MoU and in line with DSOA’s commitment to supporting innovation and entrepreneurship through its wholly owned Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Campus (DTEC), the largest technology incubation campus in the Middle East region, DSOA and IIPL will exchange case studies and best practices in the areas of entrepreneurship and starting up as well as market intelligence and recent developments in the field of technology. Additionally, both parties will explore opportunities for developing tech-oriented mentorship programs to enhance the entrepreneurial skills of the region’s youth, specifically in sectors such as financial technology, smart cities, surveillance and security technology.

Speaking on the agreement, Dr Alzarooni said: “We are proud of our collaboration with Infocomm Investments to exchange information and data on critical regional developments in the technology field. Reiterating our commitment to young entrepreneurs in the region, we will work hand-in-hand to host suitable events that promotes mutually beneficial business opportunities in Singapore and Dubai.”

He added: “This agreement follows the visit of a DSOA delegation to Singapore in February 2015 as part of our ongoing strategy to support entrepreneurship and knowledge sharing with smart cities around the world.”

Dr Alex Lin, Head of IIPL, said: “We are excited to have DSOA on board our Global Start-up Exchange Programme, opening doors and benefiting start-ups in both countries. We are confident this partnership will invigorate each countries’ start-up ecosystem and help business partners tap into the immense potential that Asia has to offer in the technology domain.

Dubai Technology Entrepreneur Campus (DTEC) is a purpose-built, start-up business campus designed to support young technology entrepreneurs and provide them a highly motivating and efficient work environment that supports entrepreneurial activities and boosts the creativity of talented technology enthusiasts.

A wholly-owned entity of the government of Dubai, DSO operates as a free zone technology park for large enterprises, medium and small companies looking to set up their offices in Dubai.

About Infocomm Investments Pte Ltd

Infocomm Investments Pte Ltd (IIPL) builds and invests in Singapore and global infocomm technology start-ups. Managing a fund size of more than US$200 million, it accelerates the development of start-ups in their formative phase, and invests further as they grow and expand. Through its investments, partnerships with stakeholders across private and public sectors, and global reach, IIPL plays a central role in building a vibrant and sustainable ecosystem in Singapore for start-ups to flourish.

IIPL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore. For more information, visit www.infocomminvestments.com or follow @iipl on Twitter.