DUBAI: Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), the trade and logistics free zone of Dubai, has announced that its total number of companies grew by 8 percent last year. Total workforce in the free zone reached 144,000 at the end of 2015, an 8.5 percent rise, a statement said.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman and CEO of DP World and chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said: “Jafza continues to attract foreign investment and capital due to our persistent efforts in providing our customers with an integrated work environment and infrastructure ensuring manufacturing, packaging, warehousing and logistical efficiency.” Bin Sulayem said foreign investment in key economic sectors within Jafza was simultaneously driving other sectors.
Of the countries setting up businesses at Jafza last year, the 35 percent were from the UAE, followed by India and UK at 9 percent and 6 percent, respectively. A total of 312,000 square metres of land were leased to new companies, followed by 265,000 square metres of warehouse/light industrial units and 28,000 square metres of office space.
Jafza witnessed a 12 percent growth in sectors such as Equipment & Machinery, Electronics, Steel & Building Materials, followed by Chemical Products & Petroleum sector at 10 percent while Food, Cars & Transport stood at 9 percent each, Healthcare & Medical Products at 5 percent and Services & Logistics at 4 percent. In 2015, Jafza inaugurated the first phase of Jafza One with the first tower now available to customers.
