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Yass Creative Center Breaking new ground in the Middle East. As the first purpose-built facility of its kind in the region, it is designed to support Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as the destination of choice for media, gaming and entertainment companies.
The facility on Yas Island spans approximately 270,000 square meters – the equivalent of more than 40 football fields – and is the flagship of the UAE’s twofour54 media precinct. It was built to provide a new home for established companies and start-ups alike.
From flexible workspaces for companies of all sizes, to world-class production facilities, talent development programs and business support services, it is designed to provide everything any future-focused media, entertainment and gaming company might need.
“The region has been waiting for a dedicated environment for this industry,” said Abdulaziz al-Dosari, director of support services at twofour54.
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The numbers tell their own story. More than 600 companies have relocated to Yass Creative Centre, including more than 270 SMEs and start-ups. Together, they employ more than 5,000 media professionals on campus. Once all stages of development are completed, this number will increase to 16,000 talents from all over the world.
Companies soon to join the center include household names such as French video game giant Ubisoft, Swedish mobile technology company Ericsson, and broadcasters CNN and Vice Media.
To help attract more gaming and esports business from the region, US-based software company Unity Technologies is establishing a regional gaming center of excellence where local startups and students can learn the skills they need to succeed in the industry.
Al-Dosari sees gaming and esports as a particularly exciting segment of the fast-growing media and entertainment space, noting that this segment of the industry is growing faster in the Middle East and North Africa than in any other region of the world. Global gaming revenue is expected to exceed $300 billion by 2026.
Yass Creative Hub companies will also capitalize on the strong growing demand for high-quality Arabic-language content, from games to TV shows, films and comics.
Although there are approximately 420 million Arabic speakers worldwide, Arabic material only accounts for 3% of all online content, so the potential is huge.
Companies headquartered at the center will be able to take advantage of purpose-built studios equipped with cutting-edge technology, enabling world-class broadcast quality.
In addition to these industry-leading facilities, the campus is designed to encourage networking and collaboration, with community centers featuring dedicated open spaces for people to interact. The idea is that such a facility will foster more creativity among companies and individuals.
Designed by award-winning local firm MZ Architects, the Yas Island campus will feature landscaped parks, cafes and restaurants, health and wellness facilities, an outdoor amphitheater and an open roof terrace. All of this at Yas Bay’s waterfront restaurants as well as nearby attractions Ferrari World, the Formula 1 race track, the world’s largest indoor theme park, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, the indoor adventure center CLYMB Abu Dhabi and the 18,000-capacity Ati Harder Arena.
For companies from overseas, the UAE is proving itself to be an increasingly popular location. It ranks 16th in the World Bank’s latest ease of doing business ranking, higher than any other country in the region and ahead of Germany and Canada. The capital of the UAE is also the cultural center of the country, home to more than 200 nationalities, which is not surprising given that 80 percent of the world is within an eight-hour flight.
The Abu Dhabi government has also been making it easier for media workers and companies to set up in the emirate. Twofour54 helps entrepreneurs and investors apply for five-year visas or ten-year “golden visas”. With 0% corporate and income taxes, 100% business ownership and exemption from registration and licensing fees for the first two years, Abu Dhabi attracts companies from all over the world.
However, the business support Yass Creative Center offers companies goes beyond visa applications and first-class facilities. The coronavirus pandemic has created many challenges for media companies and their employees, and twofour54 is providing additional support.
The pandemic has also led to a surge in demand for digital services that is unlikely to slow down, and Yass Creative Center is well positioned to capitalize on this uptick.
Click here for more information About how it was set up at the Yas Creative Center in Abu Dhabi as part of twofour54.
Benefits offered by twofour54 at Yass Creative Centre:
- 270,000 sqm sustainable development offering flexible workspace for companies of all sizes
- Opportunities to network and collaborate with over 600 partners on campus, including over 270 SMEs and start-ups, and over 16,000 professionals
- 6,500 square meters of world-class production facilities, including six purpose-built studios
- Landscaped campus with parks, cafes and restaurants, health and wellness facilities and an outdoor amphitheatre
- Comprehensive business support, including talent development and subsidies
- Tailor-made visas for entrepreneurs, investors and freelancers
- 0% corporate tax and income tax
- 100% foreign ownership.
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