Time Warner's Cartoon Network, a leading TV channel, has partnered with Abu Dhabi's twofour54, an Arabic media and entertainment community, to develop Arabic animation projects in the emirate, the UAE company said on Monday.

The deal will include opening Cartoon Network development and production studios at twofour54 and a training academy, the company said in a statement.

The twofour54 initiative is part of efforts by Abu Dhabi to diversify its economy away from oil and establish the emirate as a cultural hub for the Middle East.

The firm has inked partnerships with international firms to create Arabic content for television, radio, film, publishing, and animation. It has attracted media firms including CNN, BBC, Financial Times, and C Sky Pictures.

The first phase of Cartoon Network's UAE operations, including the academy and development studios, will launch in September, and production studios will follow in early 2011.

'Cartoon Network is planning to revolutionise the creation of Arab animation,' said Tony Orsten, chief executive of twofour54.

'This partnership supports our aim to develop a sustainable media and entertainment content industry here in Abu Dhabi,” he added. – Reuters