Dubai launches free zone for design

In the latest move to diversify Dubai 's economy, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum launched on Saturday a new free zone, "Dubai Design District," which will be dedicated to developing the Emirate's fashion, design and luxury sectors. The Dubai Design District will be located adjacent to the Business Bay area of Dubai which also harbours the world's tallest tower Burj Khalifa with a height of 828 meters. The district is expected to become a full service commercial hub for design industry-related organizations, brands, and supporting enterprises within the value chain, said Dubai Media Office, the official media body of the Dubai government. The free zone conglomerate Tecom Investments will operate the design district. Tecom as part of the state-owned Dubai Holding is behind the successful high-tech free zones Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City which were launched in 2000 and have since then attracted thousands of media and IT companies.