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A Dubai Internet City venture pioneers m-commerce

Dubai,13 September, 2001:
Ducont today launched mobile commerce services for the first time in the UAE and the Middle East. A Dubai Internet City venture, Ducont aims at becoming a leading player in providing m-commerce services via any mobile device. Using business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) application service provider models, Ducont has developed a suite of commerce-enabled applications that are ready to be deployed. It is interesting to note that all application development has been and will continue to be done locally in Dubai, meeting International standards.

A pioneering m-commerce company, Ducont’s unique range of services will enable users with internet-enabled mobile devices to subscribe to a wide range of transactional and information services. Combining the Internet with the mobile, Ducont’s mobile services will let users transfer funds, sell and buy shares, check e-mail, schedule their day and order pizzas, converting their mobiles to a mini bank branch, a mobile broker, a mobile office or a mobile pizza counter. Ducont will provide these mobile Internet applications in Arabic and in English. The segments covered include banking, stock markets, travel, hospitality, retail services, media and entertainment. They are already piloting these applications with a few banks, financial service centres, stock exchanges and cinema houses in the region.

Mr. Mohammad A. Al Gergawi, Director General of Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce & Media Free Zone Authority said, "We are proud to note that Ducont, a Dubai Internet City venture, is pioneering m-commerce in the region."

Ducont’s Managing Director and CEO Ivan Fernandes commented, "This is an IT milestone in the UAE and the Middle East. Ducont’s m-commerce products will redefine banking and other consumer services all over the region." Ivan has been involved in banking technology since 1988, developing IT solutions, specialising in critical online banking applications for retail banking, trade finance, funds transfer and treasury management.

Ahmed Al Rafi, a promoter of Ducont, added, "I am delighted to be working with Ivan and his team to implement a state of the art system into an exciting new market for Ducont. Our leading edge technology and functionality will ensure consumers have an efficient, flexible and cost effective solution in their hands that is capable of responding to a range of different services in a dynamic market place."

Ducont’s product road map includes the expansion of wireless commerce applications over GPRS and implementation of the much-awaited Bluetooth wireless technology that will enable users with Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices to instantly network with their homes, appliances, airlines, shopping malls, ATMs, and other services.

Based in Dubai, Ducont is directly targeting the Middle East market with their mobile commerce and mobile computing solutions. The first week of November will see them occupy their permanent office at the newly constructed Dubai Internet City. Ducont has big plans. Though based in Dubai, their vision is global and potential partners are already being spoken to in other countries as well. As the company grows with International expansion, an IPO is likely to be part of the plan.