Jafza attracts 267 new companies in H1

dubai — Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) on Wednesday said it attracted 267 new companies from 48 countries around the world during first half of 2017, marking a growth of 6 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Maintaining its position as a preferred investment destination for large-scale industrial and commercial projects coming into the UAE, the free zone also leased more than 340,000 square metres of space for as facilities for a variety of sectors and industries during the period. Plots of land were most in demand with 318,000 square metres, with 11,500 square metres of warehousing space, over 2,000 square metres of office space and 3,700 square metres in showrooms.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, the parent company of Jafza, said Jafza’s performance in the first half of the year highlights its position as a major hub for trade and logistics in the region, and one of the engines of economic growth in Dubai and the UAE.

“New investment opportunities for businessmen and investors created have contributed significantly to the diversification of the economy and the growth of Jafza, helping us achieve the objectives of the national agenda.”

Companies of Middle Eastern origin accounted for 59 per cent of the new companies that joined Jafza, followed by Asia-Pacific companies (20 per cent), European companies (13 per cent) and North America and African companies (4 percent each). The integration of Jebel Ali Port and the Free Zone is a model DP World is implementing across its global network.

Jebel Ali Free Zone has a wide variety of sectors. Electronics companies account for (17 per cent) of new companies; followed by equipment and machinery businesses (14 per cent); food, agricultural products, vehicles and transport (12 per cent each); service companies (9 per cent), general trading, steel and construction materials (8 per cent each).