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Jafza is one of the key elements that drives Dubai's phenomenal success story.
Ever since Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), the first free zone in the UAE, was established in 1985, it has been an effective magnet for inward investment. Today it enjoys the distinction of being one of the main drivers of the phenomenal economic growth of Dubai and the country.
Ebrahim M. Aljanahi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Sales in Jafza, says, "Jebel Ali Free Zone's massive growth in the last two decades is a reflection of the huge success of Jafza-based companies. Most Jafza-based companies have seen double-digit year-on-year growth and have expanded their facilities substantially within a couple of years of the launch of their operations. Jebel Ali Free Zone has posted more than 300 fold growth in its number of companies, increasing from 19 in 1985 to 6,000 in 2006. These companies are from across the world and include 154 of the Global Fortune 500 companies."
"Medium and large-size businesses engaged in trading or manufacturing activities benefit best from the Jebel Ali Free Zone's excellent infrastructure, logistics capabilities and highly efficient services," says Aljanahi. Jafza's remarkable capability to facilitate easy and fast access to over two billion consumers in the regional markets provides huge strategic advantage to Jebel Ali Free Zone companies.
Applications for office facilities within Jafza are processed within 48 hours provided all the required documents are in order.
For other requests (Light Industrial Unit, Warehouse etc.), where approvals are required from other agencies, the applications are processed within two weeks. "Jafza is a quality-driven, customer-focused, dynamic organisation that continues to innovate and upgrade its value offerings on an ongoing basis. We are pioneers in the region and are known for our business model all over the world. Since pursuit of excellence remains at the core of our operations we continue to compete against ourselves as well as customer expectations to create new benchmarks in our service offerings," says Aljanahi.
Jafza initiated the multi-billion-dollar south zone expansion project in 2005 to meet the continuous growth in demand. The project is a hybrid model where two clusters will be formed for chemical industries and food and beverage industries. The rest of the zone will serve other core industries in a more flexible physical layout. Some other prestigious projects currently underway include the Convention Centre Complex and Twin Towers Jafza View 18 and 19. Developments around Jafza include the Al Maktoum International Airport (JXB), which will be the biggest passenger and cargo airport in the world.
Aljanahi says, "The new developments make Jafza the only free zone in the world located between an airport and a sea port. This fact further boosts growth prospects, making Jafza all set to be one of the most dynamic free zones in the world."
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