Free trade zones have been around in the region for some time. Their achievements and their proliferation indicate they are a sure bet to raise investments, productivity levels, income and employment, keeping ports and airports busy and raising the business consciousness of the states they happen to be in.

Now, an exhibition of free zones and technology parks, scheduled to be held next year and the first to be held in the Middle East, Africa and CIS countries, will give government officials, entrepreneurs, technology experts, financial institutions and investors an opportunity to discuss ways towards improving existing free zones and enlarging investment prospects.

Freezex 2003, which will be held at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre from 12-15 January 2003. has received the patronage of General Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Crown Prince of Dubai. Minister of Defence, UAE, and Chairman of Dubai's free zones. The expo has also received the main sponsorship from the Jebel All Free Zone Authority.

Freezex 2003, was officially launched by Shaikh Hasher Maktoum bin Juma Al Maktoum, Director of Information, Government of Dubai, at a ceremony at the Emirates Towers.

"The main idea of Freezex is to bring together investors and venture capitalists on one hand and free zones and science and technology parks on the other in order to achieve quick economic growth of the participating countries", Shaikh Hasher said.

The other objectives of Freezex are to provide an opportunity to participating countries to improve the functioning of their existing free zones, ports, airports and set up new ones. The event will also be a market place for the "free zone industry" to market their products and services and generate new businesses.

Speaking during the official launch, Ahmed Butti Ahmed, Managing Director of the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority, said Dubai was the ideal venue for the event supported as it was by "the remarkable growth of its impressive infrastructure, world class facilities and extensive services."

"The Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority has always supported the exchange of information with free zones from other countries and Freezex 2003 provides the welcome opportunity for us to directly interact with the diverse range of investors. free zone operators, administrators, builders and service providers that will visit during the event. For all of us in the Free Zone industry. Freezex 2003 provides a chance to establish, improve and expand our operations and our businesses and thereby strengthen our positions in the global economy," Ahmed said.

Al Fajer Information & Services, organisers of Freezex 2003, has entered into an agreement with the World Federation of Free Zones under which the federation has agreed to shift its conference on free zones from Geneva to Dubai and hold it alongside Freezer 2003.

Dr. Juan Torrents, president, World Federation of Free Zones, said the holding of both the exhibition and the conference would give the world the opportunity to learn and be in touch with the best free zone area in the Middle East.

"Freezex 2003 is more of an economic event than a trade show and is primarily aimed at bringing foreign direct investments and indirect revenues into the participating economies. It is also an instrument of development, which will aid industrialisation, employment and growth," said Mohammad Mubarak Iesa, vice president, Al Fajer Enterprises and chairman of the Freezex 2003 Organising Committee.

The organisers plan to focus on the role of free zones in the new economy through another powerful conference on science and technology parks.

"Freezex 2003 is designed to improve free zone tenancy, assist multinationals in locating and relocating and is coming along nicely,'' said Satish Khanna, general manager. Al Fajer Information & Services. He said the UAE free zones had signalled they were very keen to participate. Sharjah has indicated a requirement of 500 sq m. "Our participation in Freezex 2003 reflects our dedication and commitment to reach the global high-tech market and hence achieve our consistent long-term vision. We view Freezex 2003 to be an effective tool to further consolidate our mission," said Dr. Mohammad Ahmed A1 Zarouni, Director General, Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority, which has already confirmed its participation in Freezer 2003.

"Turkey, Egypt, Jordan. Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Iran, Pakistan, India and Taiwan have also indicated a strong interest to participate. India has indicated a requirement of 1000 sq m. We expect at least 100 free zones and technology parks to participate in Freezex 2003. We also expect several owners of 'Fortune 500' companies to visit Freezex 2003 as investors", said Khanna.

Jebel All Free Zone Authority, Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing are assisting the organisers in promoting the event worldwide.