JAFZA aiming to go global

Almost 6,000 companies are based out of JAFZA and the government wants to make it the most sought-after investment location. Not a lofty aspiration

JAFZA contributes to 26 per cent of Dubai’s GDP

One could argue that Dubai’s economic surge is directly attributed to the adoption of the free trade zone concept. Created by royal decree in 1980, Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) was established with the goal of providing a space where normal trade restrictions would not apply, enticing global companies to invest. It has worked. To date, JAFZA’s success has walked hand in hand with Dubai’s exponential growth. In fact, a recent study shows JAFZA contributes to 26 per cent of Dubai’s GDP.

From modest beginnings in 1985 with just 19 companies, JAFZA is now a thriving hub of nearly 6,000 businesses from over 100 countries around the world. Home to over 125 of the Fortune Global 500 companies, JAFZA provides streamlined access to a market of two billion consumers.

Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, CEO ,Jafza and EZW

Located just 24 hours away from prime markets, JAFZA is strategically positioned between the world’s ninth largest port, the regions extensive highway network and the Dubai International Airport. In fact, it remains the only free zone in the world to be located next to a world-class port and airport. With the upcoming Jebel Ali International Airport just minutes away, cargo shipments should be expedited even faster.

“We expect to considerably expand our operations locally and also in emerging markets around the globe in the next few years,” says Ibrahim Al Janahi, Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales, JAFZA. “We have more than doubled our business clients in the past three years.”

JAFZA is now taking steps to export its product abroad. Under the ownership of the government-linked Dubai World, Economic Zones World has been set up as an umbrella organisation for JAFZA and other Dubai-based free zones such as Techno Park and Dubai Internet City, with the responsibility of promoting them internationally.

“I would like to see JAFZA emerge as the world’s most favoured investment destination,” says Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, CEO of JAFZA.

“Dubai is a proven success as a model facilitator of multi-modal logistics that the rest of the world is beginning to emulate. Economic Zones World, through its global expansion provides opportunities for its customers to grow globally in the same JAFZA business environment,” says Hareb.