Tecom Investments’ Sciences Cluster, which consists of DuBiotech and Enpark, has granted 57 new business partners licences to operate last year.

DuBiotech, which is dedicated to facilitating and fostering growth of the UAE’s life sciences industry, issued 42 new commercial licenses during the course of 2013.

The organization included Medtronic, a leading medical technology company; Himalaya Global Research Centre and Pharmaceutical Research; and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

The business centre in the lab building is now 100 per cent occupied with a mix of both multinational and small and medium sized firms, said a statement.

The Sciences Cluster is set to open a number of new, bespoke laboratory facilities for business partners designed to meet the precise needs of each organization this year, it said.

Meanwhile, Enpark issued 15 new business partners licences to companies across all areas of the sustainability sector.

The companies included First Solar, a leading provider of fully integrated solar solutions; Conergy Asia & ME, a leading manufacturer of solar PV energy systems; Lukoil Overseas Service, a subsidiary of Lukoil’s international oil and gas production and exploration projects; Petronar Group; and leading industrial safety services company United Safety International.

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, executive director, said: “I believe that the success of the Sciences Cluster is due to the combination of the potential for growth in our domestic market, our proximity to many strategic markets, improvements in industry-related regulations, first class facilities and services, and the connectivity to Government that we can offer.

“Our strategic intent is to build a sustainable business environment that fosters foreign direct investment and incubates innovation and entrepreneurship. This is very important to reduce UAE’s dependence on imported products, medicines, technology and services. This approach is also directly related to the government’s wider vision of developing a knowledge-based, sustainable and diversified economy.”

The cluster strengthened affiliations with both industry and government with new agreements with entities such as the Indian Consulate of Dubai and the Green Economy Partnership Committee last year. These agreements will serve to facilitate investment, innovation and knowledge-sharing for the wider life sciences and sustainability sectors. - TradeArabia News Service