Nasscom has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai Internet City (DIC) to facilitate small and medium enterprises affiliated to the industry body to expand in West Asia and north Africa.

Dubai Internet City is an information and communication technology hub that houses major Indian IT firms such as Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Wipro and HCL Technologies. The integrated community hosts a large number of Indian professionals within its 24,000-strong workforce from 150 countries.

As part of the memorandum, DIC will provide Nasscom’s SME and tech start-ups an opportunity to establish themselves in Dubai and provide the necessary support to grow in the region.

“The $8-billion UAE tech industry is growing rapidly and DIC, as the leading technology business community in the region, serves as a natural launch pad for Indian technology businesses looking to expand their operations there,” said Ammar Al Malik, director of Dubai Internet City.

“This is the first MoU of its kind in the region and Dubai’s vision and efforts to become the smartest city in the world are second to none. Dubai Internet City is already home to leading technology

Indian companies, and we firmly believe that this MoU will serve as a major catalyst for Indian businesses to expand in the region,” said Kamal Agarwala, SME Council chair, Nasscom.