International Media Production Zone (IMPZ), a member of Tecom Investments, on Sunday announced its utilities network is now fully functional and accessible to the operational areas of the cluster for the benefit of its existing business partners.

A 132KV substation, set up at a cost of Dh80 million ($21.7 million), was commissioned in October 2007, while a second substation is scheduled for completion in 2011.

Based on the current inflow of business partners, IMPZ anticipates a phenomenal upsurge of new entities seeking to establish a regional presence in the free zone.

In order to provide a seamless supply of reliable power, IMPZ will eventually have five substations generating nearly 800-MW across the entire facility at the world’s only free zone dedicated to the printing, publishing, packaging (3P) and graphic arts industries.

In October 2007, IMPZ completed its Dh235 million infrastructure for the 43 million sq ft destination.  The Pre-Built Units (PBU) have been energised by Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (Dewa), enabling investors to commence operations at the 106 world class showrooms and multi-purpose warehouses, said a top IMPZ official.

Hamad Huraiz, executive director of IMPZ, said: “Since the last quarter of 2007, the first of IMPZ’s five substations has been energized to supply power to the industrial and residential areas in the free zone. We are delighted to inform our potential and existing partners that once a project is completed, the power network can be immediately energized.'

'IMPZ continues to provide its business partners with the necessary tools to support their daily operations, allowing them to conduct their activities efficiently,' he added.

IMPZ business partners that have started operations at the industrial area include companies such as Kimpex, paper supplier, and Masar Printing and Publishing, a commercial, industrial and web printer, while Media Innovations, providers of innovative services to advertising companies, and Regraph Die Tech, a paper trading entity, recently moved into its pre-built unit facilities.

Leading regional and global names in the printing, publishing, packaging and graphic media industries continue to locate their businesses at IMPZ for its immense advantages as a free zone cluster.

Strategically located 10 minutes from the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali, 35 kilometres southwest of Dubai, IMPZ is conceptualised to complement Dubai’s vision of becoming a global media destination and provide a pro-business environment in the midst of a unique production cluster.-TradeArabia News Service