Total capitalisation of Arab companies in Jafza hits Dh977 billion

DUBAI, 30th September, 2015 (WAM) -- Jebel Ali Free Zone, Jafza, has emerged as the most favoured investment destination for Arab investors. The total capitalisation of Arab companies in Jafza has hit Dh977 billion in the first half of 2015. The UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Sudan and Oman are the top ten investing countries in the free zone. Jafza is currently home to 2,651 companies from 18 countries in the Arab world. The UAE leads the block with 1,365 companies followed by Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia with 520, 121, 112, 110 and 100 companies respectively. The Arab world companies together employ 74,000 people. UAE companies rank top employer with 56,000 jobs followed by Jordan with 4,500, Kuwait with 2,200 and Saudi Arabia with 2,100. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman, DP World and Economic Zones World, said, "The emergence of Jafza as the most favoured investment destination for Arab investors can be attributed to the free zone’s investor-friendly seamless eco-system and its key offerings, including outstanding multi-modal connectivity offered through Jebel Ali Port, and Al Maktoum and Dubai International Airports, which are located at the two ends of the free zone. Dubai's top ranking in the International Competitive Index continues to attract investors to the free zone." Bilateral trade between Jafza and Arab countries grew by 61% over the last 5 years, growing from Dh64 billion in 2010 to Dh105 billion in 2014. The growth reinforces Jafza’s status as a trade and logistics hub, as most of the companies in the free zone serve all the regional markets from their facilities. Imports from Arab countries to Jafza in 2014 amounted to Dh14.2 billion while re-exports and exports from Jafza to these countries totalled at Dh 91 billion. Commenting on the numbers, Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi, Jafza Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer, said, "These numbers reinforce Jafza as the logistics hub of the region. Most of the multinationals located in Jafza use the free zone platform to serve all the key markets in the region. Most of the Arab countries are using Jafza as a sourcing centre for their requirements." The main exports from Arab countries to Jafza include mineral products at Dh10 billion followed by chemicals, 1.2 billion, and machinery, electrical and electronics equipment at Dh1 billion. The main exports from Jafza to Arab countries constituted foodstuff, at Dh 781 million, machinery, electrical and electronics equipment, Dh775 million and metal products, Dh730 million. The main re-exports from Jafza to Arab countries included machinery, electrical and electronics equipment, Dh54 billion, mineral products, Dh8.3 billion, chemicals, Dh6 billion, vehicles and transport part equipment, Dh3.5 billion, textiles, Dh3.3 billion and foodstuff, Dh2.7 billion Saudi Arabia is Jafza’s top trade partner from among the Arab countries, with Jafza-Saudi Arabia trade at Dh27 billion constituting imports of Dh3 billion and exports and re-exports of Dh24 billion. Jafza-Saudi Arabia trade has seen a 35% increase since 2010. The UAE is Jafza’s second largest trade partner, with a total trade of Dh22 billion posting a growth of 366% since 2010. Iraq, Kuwait and Egypt are Jafza’s third, fourth and fifth largest trade partners, with their total trade of Dh14 billion, Dh9 billion and Dh8 billion respectively. These three countries have posted growth of 16%, 91% and 235% respectively over the last four years. – Emirates News Agency, WAM -http://www.wam.ae/en/news/economics/1395286113010.html