Hi Dan,
Have been running a Contact Centre in UAE since the past 7 years. It looks like you should be eyeing at the DOZ (Dubai Outrsource Zone) that is coming up to take advantage of the real estate cost. Currently, it is not viable to operate anywhere else including the Internet City as the per square foot prices are soaring. Regarding the VoIP it is still banned in the UAE but with the entry of a new service provider in parallel to the current monopoly of Etisalat, we are expecting changes where in to acquire the IPLC. Currently an IPLC to USA, UK or AUS doesnt justify due to the high cost of the same.
Yes the salaries are low at the moment but with inflation rising at a constant rate, expect that to rise exponentially soon as the cost of living in the past 2 years has almost doubled.
Cheers
Jo-G