The UAE ranks among the world's top 30 countries in network readiness and internet penetration, but needs to further support start-up companies to reinforce its leadership in information and communication technology, according to Malek Al Malek, Executive Director, Dubai Internet City.

Addressing the Telecom Finance Middle East and Africa conference on Tuesday, Malek said the DIC could sustain growth since its inception in 2000 with 140 companies joining the cluster in 2008, bringing the total to 1,300. In the first quarter this year, the DIC recorded a 25% growth in the number of companies joining the FirstSteps DIC Business Center, a facility that allows companies to test the region's business environment with minimal upfront investment. With 32 ICT companies newly enrolling this year, new there are 128 companies already operating under the programme.