UK's Paragon in UAE theme Park win

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UK’s Paragon in UAE theme Park win

UK-based Paragon Creative Ltd has been awarded a contract with Dubai Parks and Resorts to work on elements of the DreamWorks zone within the motiongate Dubai Theme Park – one of three theme parks.

Paragon has said in a statement that it started working on the £5 million ($7.65 million) project in September and is focused on five show set areas within the park which will take production into 2016.

The projects that Paragon have started working on are based on the films Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar as well as a number of other setwork areas and activations.

Commenting on the deal, Mark Pyrah, CEO of Paragon Entertainment said: “We are delighted to be working with Dubai Parks and Resorts to create the very best quality thematic and show setworks to support this incredible and world class project.

“Dubai Parks and Resorts has created a team comprising of some of the best Industry talent and it’s a privilege to be part of the delivery line up. We look forward to an exciting, fruitful and rewarding relationship.”
Peter Rahill, director of Hill International (Middle East) Ltd, added: “We have been in discussion with Paragon for six months and have chosen a work scope that best fits their skill base. We are delighted to have their facility and capacity to deliver these demanding projects.”
Dubai Parks and Resorts will become the Middle East’s largest multi-themed leisure and entertainment destination comprising three separate theme parks – motiongate Dubai, a Hollywood movie inspired theme park concept; Legoland Dubai; and Bollywood Parks Dubai, a first-of-its-kind entertainment destination that will showcase the authentic Bollywood movie experience.

The destination will also host a Legoland Water Park, a Lapita Hotel, a Polynesian-themed hotel which will be managed by the Marriott Group, and Riverland Dubai, a centrally located district of 220,000 square feet of leasable retail, dining and entertainment space connecting the three theme parks.

Set to open in October 2016, the AED10.5 billion project is spread across 25 million square feet of land located on Sheikh Zayed Road close to the Palm Jebel Ali between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. About 6.7 million ticketed visits are expected in 2017, the first full year of operation.

Source: Arabian Business

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.