As Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, chairman of Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafz) and managing director of Dubai Ports Authority (DPA) emphasises, it is the commitment to customer-driven services and quality that has been integral to the success of the free zone and ports from the outset.

Even during a year when industry analysts expected a slow down in business due to fierce regional competition, the DPA has reported an increase in productivity and a 6 per cent increase in container traffic.

The DPA has invested in new equipment to meet increases in bulk cargo, IT systems and adopted a flexible approach to transshipment cargo. Also, both DPA and Jafz are alert to the changing requirements of the companies and shipping lines that operate through the port and the free zone. Thus, the authority has ensured that infrastructure is in place to meet the demand.

Globalisation is an equally important initiative and the establishment of Dubai Global FZE is also proving to be a success. Building upon its international reputation for managing ports and free zones, Dubai Global operates DPA International and Jafz International to provide Arab countries and trade partners in friendly countries with expertise in developing and managing port and free zone facilities to attract more investment for the national economies concerned.

As well as receiving the management contract for Jeddah Islamic Port through its joint venture partner Siyanco, the DPA has a port management agreement in Djibouti and Beirut.

Bin Sulayem stresses the importance of trade relations between Libya and Dubai which have been established over many years. Both DPA and Jafz have received delegations from Libya and conducted meetings to exchange ideas and understand the beneficial nature of close cooperation.

Libya is part of the Mediterranean region and increasing trade and investment from and to Libya will be beneficial to the regional economies of all the Arab world.