Hamriyah Free Zone woos investors with a hassle-free working environment and an array of unbeatable incentives
Sharjah's free zone chairman Shaikh Tariq bin Faisal Al Qassimi has a vision ... to make Hamriyah Free Zone (HFZ) an ideal industrial hub in the region by providing the perfect environment for industries to grow.
The young and dynamic chairman of the General Authority of Sharjah Free Zones is set on achieving this goal with the powerful tools of incentives, flexibility and an investor-friendly approach.
The stress on industries stems from Shaikh Tariq's belief that the future for the region lies in manufacturing industries.
"We have provided a lot of incentives for setting up of industries and have structured our rates accordingly, to be attractive to the industrial sector," he says.
"HFZ can be a perfect hub for medium to heavy industries in the region. We can provide them with the best facilities, the best support and this is what we are dedicating ourselves to."
Detailing the incentives offered, Shaikh Tariq says the free zone provides 100 per cent ownership; lease tenure of 25 years which is extendible by another 25 years; tax exemption guarantee for 50 years and exemption from customs duty.
"Apart from the 14 m draft Hamriyah port, we also have the advantage of Khor Fakkan and Khalid ports. Investors can also use the sea and airports of the UAE, which has 11 seaports and six airports, all of this within two hours driving time from HFZ. This gives HFZ an added advantage because the logistics of moving products in and out and the logistics of investors flying in and out becomes so easy," he says.
"We have abundant electricity for heavy and medium industries and by locating in Hamriyah Free Zone, investors will gain a lot... in terms of logistics, in terms of rates and facilities. As a free zone, we guarantee the success of our investors as we believe in partnership," he says. We will leave no stone unturned to guarantee their success. We will attempt to meet any of their requirements ... we will take care of them."
Hamriyah Free Zone is a one-stop-shop for investors, which assures them an absolutely hassle-free business environment, where they can focus on their core business and don't have to worry about other things. "This guarantee of business environment is unmatched," says Shaikh Tariq.
HFZ started operation in 1998. But since September 1999 when it started focusing on the manufacturing industries, the number of companies operating from the zone has doubled. The majority of them are into manufacturing and processing businesses. "This proves that there is an advantage in setting up businesses in HFZ. Already $500 million in investment has been committed in the zone. This is quite an accomplishment considering that the zone is only two years old," he says.
Hamriyah's investors come from 24 countries. The range of industries are also diverse. They include oil refineries, oil blending facilities, lubricant manufacturing, fuel storage for petrol and kerosene, food processing, petrochemical units, an ink unit, textile manufacturing, granite etc. "The spectrum of investments coming in is quite wide. They are coming in because they see the opportunity here," says Shaikh Tariq.
HFZ's strongest points include its customer-friendly environment. "The only way for us to develop is for our investors to be successful and we make every endeavour to ensure that," he says.
He also highlights state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities, power, telecommunication and roads. The pricing strategy is also quite competitive and provides the investors with value for money.
"I personally guarantee any investor that with our fee structure, he will get value for money. It is structured to his benefit."
Shaikh Tariq says the zone is not focussing on any particular segment within the industrial sector. "We have 10 sq km of area, which can also be expanded. We have dedicated areas for heavy and medium industries. However, we are keen to have environment-friendly industries," he says.
He says food, petrochemical, textiles and plastic industries are the four major industrial sectors which can make optimum utilisation of the zone's services.
The projects currently on the zone cover about 2 sq km. The present infrastructure is sufficient for 300 to 400 establishments, depending on their size.
"The variety of services provided by the zone is quite wide. The biggest contributor for our success is the personalised service provided by us.
He promises that applications for setting up of service and trading units can be processed within 24 hours. Industrial licences will take only a couple of days.
"The investor knows the person he has to deal with and we have direct contact with him. There is absolutely no bureaucratic red-tape. We have abolished the word from HFZ," says Shaikh Tariq proudly.
"Our quality assurance programme puts a lot of pressure on officials to perform," he says.
Explaining how HFZ has been able to banish red-tapism, he says: "We are young and developing fast. We have an ability to be flexible. We tailor-make packages for each investor. The customers can directly talk to the manager and chairman and get things done there and then. A lot of people have the authority to take decisions at various levels."
"We have regular meetings with our investors and our personnel and their problems are discussed and solved.
"We are trying to put a structure on their perception on what would be the best solution for a problem. This is a continuous process," he says.
HFZ recently increased the tenure of leases from 15 years to 25 years. "The long-term lease shows commitment from our side. It gives more stability for the investor. It is a mutual commitment. We are committed to the investor for 25 years. He can renew on an annual basis, if he wants," says Shaikh Tariq.
On the rapid growth in the number of free zones in the region, Shaikh Tariq says it is a healthy trend. "It always makes us think how we can develop and what we can do to increase our attractiveness. We can compare and see how good we are."
