Dubai-based largest port operator, DP World’s flagship freezone Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) is home to over 8,700 customers and serves as a significant commerce and logistics hub as well as one of the main business centers in the UAE.
The specialized industrial, trading and logistic zone provides exceptional growth potential and market access to over 3.5 billion people, across various sectors in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (Measa) region.
“The free zone’s ideal location alongside the region’s largest deep-sea Jebel Ali Port, its multimodal connectivity and proximity to the Al Maktoum International Airport, the much-awaited Etihad Railway and key regional highways has proved to be a major attraction for companies,” according to the reports.
Over 100 of the Fortune Global 500 companies chose Jafza as their regional headquarters because of its integrated service offerings, including Dual licensing.
As per the reports, “Incorporating the principles and best practices of trade, the Jafza has since its inception stimulated trade and investment, facilitating the transfer of skills and knowledge to its partners in the freezone.” The number of international firms situated in Jafza is an indication of their ongoing success story.
Electronics & Electrical, Petrochem, Vehicle & Transport, Retail & General Trading, Machinery & Equipment, and Healthcare & Pharma are some of the important segments that contribute to Jafza’s growth rates.
Countries like China, Saudi Arabia, and India continue to be the most valuable trading partners in terms of trade value. This growth has been complemented by DP World’s Trade Bridges that are a part of the entity’s $544 billion (Dhs2 trillion) trade Initiative.
DP World introduced many trade bridges with countries such as India, China, Africa, Pakistan, North America, and Latin America, in accordance with the UAE’s strategic goals of strengthening bilateral trade ties with countries across the world.
“DP World’s trade bridges have been accelerators of Jafza’s success. In 2020, the free zone generated trade worth $104.2 billion. In the first half of 2021, the free zone witnessed a 40 percent growth in new customer registrations,” according to the reports.
