Abu Dhabi Offering Rebate Incentive to Attract TV Production

CANNES/ABU DHABI: twofour54 and its Abu Dhabi Film Commission have launched an incentive scheme that will start in September, in an effort to position Abu Dhabi as the go-to destination for international TV production.

A rebate of up to 30 percent of qualifying spend in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi will be available for TV, documentary and music-video makers, as well as feature film and advertising production. The qualifying spend relates to goods and services sourced from Abu Dhabi and for relevant expenditure on location or studio filming and post-production. It will also cover costs relating to the contracting of any UAE registered crew and services for activities in Abu Dhabi. Also qualifying for the rebate are temporary accommodation costs in Abu Dhabi, as will as airlines tickets and freight booked on Etihad Airways.

“Our new incentive scheme is unique in the MENA region and focussed on attracting international and regional productions to Abu Dhabi,” said Wayne Borg, the deputy CEO and chief operating officer of twofour54. “This initiative reflects the culmination of our efforts to put in place all the key ingredients to reinforce our position as the regional hub and first choice, go-to place for producers. This is our commitment to the TV and film production industry. We expect to accelerate production activity and in doing so fulfill our objective to further fuel the development of the regional media industry by providing the opportunity for Arab filmmakers, crew and production support companies to work alongside their international counterparts.”