NEW DELHI: Jafza is currently home to over 800 Indian companies who serve markets in the region from their regional base in the free zone.
Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) conducted a four-day roadshow, which also included an investor seminar, in Mumbai, India, to attract more Indian multinationals into the free zone.
Jafza is currently home to over 800 Indian companies who serve markets in the region from their regional base in the free zone. The number of Indian companies in the free zone posted a growth of 10 per cent in 2014.
During the roadshow, Jafza highlighted opportunities that Indian investors can leverage in the rapidly growing markets in the Middle East.
The team at the India roadshow was led by Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi, deputy CEO of Jafza and chief commercial officer of Economic Zones World, the parent company of the Free Zone. It also included Bharat Bhatia, CEO of a Jafza-based steel company, and Kulwant Singh, president of India Business Council in Dubai.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of DP World and Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, said: “Today, India is the UAE’s largest trading partner. Jafza has played a key role in strengthening trade relations between the two countries. The Jafza roadshow in India seeks to attract more leading Indian companies to the free zone, which will, eventually, further enhance bilateral relations between the two countries.”
Bin Sulayem added: “Most countries in the Middle East region are currently focused on diversifying their economies in order to reduce their dependence on oil. These countries are estimated to be spending more than $4 trillion in developing economic infrastructure suitable for nurturing non-oil business activities. The investment will not only boost construction and engineering but all other economic sectors, right from food and beverage, healthcare, education, transport, communication and hospitality.
“The Expo 2020 in Dubai will provide a further boost to infrastructure-related activities in Dubai and other emirates in the UAE, as well as neighboring countries who will benefit from over 25 million overseas visitors who are expected to visit Dubai during the six-month show. This unveils huge opportunities for Indian investors, which must be capitalised on.”
