Given all the talk of about the lack of adequate drainage for rainstorms, persistent traffic jams, the rising cost of living, lack of rights for foreign workers, and real-estate bubbles, one might get the impression that Dubai is house built on sand. But you'd only be half right. There is something here built on sand and it is doing plenty of things as they should be done:

Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) officials announced today that Europe’s Optical Disc Group and Solar Technologies Group will invest Dh112 million ($31 million) in the technology free zone. The activities include research & development, optical media training and support centre as well as manufacturing of the next generation optical media products, solar cells, solar panels and tempered glass used in photovoltaic and the building industry. This will be the first facility of its kind in the Middle East and will generate skilled jobs for over 200 people, said a statement. The facility is expected to open end-2007.

The plans for solar energy products are particularly ambitious:

Solar Technologies Group will set up a processing centre for production of photovoltaic components, solar cells and panels. Solar energy can be converted directly or indirectly into other forms of energy, such as heat and electricity through the photovoltaic process. “Solar energy is the future of creating clean and environmentally-friendly energy. Many countries around the world have adopted this technology for numerous commercial, industrial, government, and domestic applications. Our agreement with Solar Technologies Group will oversee the development of this important industry in the Middle East,” added Razak.

How interesting that companies in a region brimming with sun and sand and oil set themselves to figuring out how to use the first two to one day substitute for the third.