Dubai, Aug 6 (IANS) Dubai Knowledge Village (DKV), a specially developed area in this west Asian metropolis, announced Wednesday that 29 new human resource development companies and consultancies have set up operations in the first half of 2008. With this, the total number of companies in DKV is now over 400, the state-run Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

The figure represents a 16 percent growth in the number of companies to set up office in the area.

The newly joined companies comprise professional training centres, human resource consultancies and training and development centres, education support services, management consultancies, as well as research and development centres.

“Dubai Knowledge Village continues to launch initiatives that aim to develop a highly skilled knowledge community catering to the needs of our dynamic economy,” said Ayoub Kazim, executive director of Dubai Knowledge Village and Dubai International Academic City.

“We are pleased to welcome on board our new partners who will support us in our vision to be the international destination for human capital management.”

He added that DKV would “continue to channel its efforts towards learning and human resource development through our DKV Events arm, which has launched more than 25 events and generated 11,000 attendees, since the beginning of this year”.

Specialising in HR development and management, professional testing, as well as management training and consultancy services, DKV is working towards becoming the regional hub for providing continuing education through HR-specific training and executive education.

Launched in 2003, DKV aims to be a destination for learning excellence in the Middle East.

Benefits for companies include 100 percent foreign ownership, 100 percent freedom from taxes, 100 percent repatriation of assets and profits and easy visa issuance procedures.

Companies from India, Australia, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Belgium, Britain and Ireland have set up base here.