The Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) continues to play an anchor role in Dubai’s and the UAE’s economic growth having generated in 2010 trade worth over $60 billion and attracted fresh investments in diverse sectors.

The free zone, the flagship entity of Economic Zones World, is said to account for more than a fourth of Dubai’s trade.

New companies in 2010 numbered 480 including 55 multinationals. “We are very proud of our positive contribution to the economic growth of Dubai and the UAE,” said Salma Hareb, the CEO of Economic Zones World.  “The performance is in line with the vision set for Jafza as a growth engine of the local economy. By choosing Jafza as their preferred investment destination in the region, our customers have expressed their confidence in our ability to deliver a world-class business environment that empowers our position as an efficient regional hub,” she added.

A leading port
Jebel Ali Port, around which the free zone has been developed, is among the top 10 ports in the world and is served by 150 shipping lines offering 90 weekly services as well as feeder services that provide connection to regional markets. The free zone is also home to 50 top logistics companies.

Enrolling in 2010 were Fortune 500 firms including Petrochina International and Jebali Panenergy of China, Isuzu Motors of Japan, Wallenius Wilhemsen Logistics of Belgium, and Schneider Electric DC of France.

The list of new companies was led by the petrochemical and oil sectors, followed by the automotive and electronics industries. Investors from the UAE topped the list with 97 new establishments, followed by India with 47 companies, UK with 37, the US with 29, Germany with 18 and China with 17.

‘Vital intermediary hub’

Al Janahi: enhancing the Jafza experience

Ibrahim Mohammed Al Janahi, Jafza deputy CEO and chief commercial officer, said: “Jafza is a vital intermediary hub for the Asia-Europe trade while it is also well positioned for delivery to the growing North African and Middle Eastern economies. Companies in emerging economies in Asia who are looking to expand their horizons are continually attracted by Jafza’s value proposition. The free zone has consistently sought to provide a favourable environment to the industrial, trade and logistics sectors and we will continue to enhance the Jafza experience, the core of our customer service strategy, which in turn drives our business expansion.”

Jafza, which marked 25 highly successful years in 2010, also creates a significant number of employment opportunities locally. In 2001 there were 40,000 people employed within the free zone and this figure rose rapidly over the decade to reach in excess of 115,000 personnel in 2010.

Buildings housing offices in the Jebel Ali Free Zone

The year saw Jafza introducing a number of initiatives that brought value-addition to customers, including support services such as the e-Licence service. Over 1,000 e-licences were renewed online within the first month of its launch. Also introduced was an online service for payment of customer invoices and a top-of-the-line interactive electronic map on the Jafza website, all geared to offer greater customer convenience.

The Dubai Logistics Corridor was officially opened last year. It is designed to be the world’s largest multi-modal logistics platform that links sea, land and air to facilitate the transportation of goods in record time. The unified project with its extensive facilities is expected to considerably boost logistics operations in Dubai.