The Dubai Airport Free Zone (Dafza) is making renewed efforts to have Malaysian investors setting up halal-oriented enterprises in the enclave.

Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, Dafza director-general, and his delegation, participated in the 2016 World Halal Conference (WHC) and the 13th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas). The two events are vital platforms to gain valuable insights on the global halal business and Malaysia’s position as a leader in the trade.

The team also visited Malaysia’s halal parks that promote manufacturing and service businesses dedicated to that kind of business.

Dafza’s latest initiative came in the wake of the signing recently of an MoU with Malaysia’s Halal Industry Development Corp (HDC) to achieve mutually beneficial business objectives.

The partnership aims at intensifying efforts to develop a world-class infrastructure to consolidate Dubai’s position as a global economic centre for halal industries, as well as facilitating best practices among companies working in the business.

In his meetings in Malaysia, Al Zarooni communicated Dafza’s investment advantages for foreign companies and the hub’s role in driving Dubai’s and  the UAE’s economic development, particularly in the halal industry. He conveyed that Dafza was contributing towards making Dubai “the global capital of the Islamic economy”.

A Dafza statement said the team’s visit to Malaysia resulted in a number of major investment opportunities for the free zone.

Dr Al Zarooni commented: “Dafza is keen on building a strong relationship with the Malaysian business and investment community, stressing on the commitment to provide the necessary facilities to ensure optimum utilisation of emerging opportunities in Dubai, which has succeeded in building a reputation as a global gateway to the Middle East – considered a main market for the world’s halal products.”

During bilateral meetings with decision-makers and senior government figures, the team got acquainted with strategies adopted in Malaysia for its halal industry,” the official added.