The Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) is intensifying its drive to promote the attractions of the free zone and gain additional investments.

It recently briefed representatives from 10 overseas offices of the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) as well as participating in the Emirates-Germany Economic Partnership Forum, aimed at strengthening trade relations between the UAE and Germany and facilitating increased investments from German companies in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafz).
Earlier, it held discussions with high-level delegations from New Delhi and the Indian states of Punjab and Bengal.
In their meeting with the DTCM representatives, Jafza officials provided them with detailed updates on the latest developments in the free zone, including additions to infrastructure facilities and services and new avenues for investment in the free zone.
A Jafza spokesman said the briefing would help the DTCM representatives promote Jafz’s interests more efficiently in their respective markets.  
Representatives from DTCM’s offices in Germany, Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, France, Russia, the UK, the US and Italy were present during the briefing, which was attended by Jafza’s CEO, Salma Hareb, and all its vice presidents.
“Jafz is today one of the fastest growing free zones in the world, and it is constantly upgrading its infrastructure facilities and services to keep pace with the changing business environment and to fully meet customer requirements,” Hareb told them.
“With Dubai emerging as a premier business destination, it is important that potential investors around the world have access to up-to-date information with regard to the investment opportunities in the emirate, and especially in Jafz. DTCM, with its offices in 14 countries, greatly contributes in promoting Jafz internationally, which makes it imperative for us to provide a comprehensive brief to their representatives on the free zone’s progress and growth.
“Over the years, an increasing number of international companies across the industrial spectrum have been establishing operations in Jafz to tap the growing business potential in the Middle East, and we are keen to further this trend through DTCM’s proven expertise and wide network.”   
The DTCM has been focusing on the international promotion of commerce and tourism interests in Dubai through the planning and implementation of an integrated programme of promotions and publicity activities around the world.
The Emirates-Germany forum was attended by a diverse spectrum of German companies from the real estate, the financial sector and investment parks. Currently there are over 168 German firms successfully carrying out operations in the free zone. Jafza was represented at the forum by a number of its officials including Hareb, vice presidents Ibrahim Al Janahi (commercial sales) and Hamza Al Haddad, (marketing) and the commercial sales manager for Europe, Tarek Bin Ghaita.
An exhibition coinciding with the forum hosted 60 pavilions representing government, semi-government and private corporations from both countries and attracted more than 5,000 trade visitors from Germany and the neighboring countries.
While highlighting the investment opportunities in Dubai and Jafz, Hareb said: “Dubai is one of the fastest growing investment and tourist destinations in the world, comprising all the right elements to make it a premier business hub, and Jafz, with its world-class facilities and offerings, has successfully attracted a large number of German investors. Today Jafz is an attractive market for a diverse range of mutually beneficial global business ventures. Through our participation this year, we are confident of continuing this tradition for a long time.”
A Jafza spokesman said the authority was positive about attracting profitable investments from various German firms. The forum was organised by the UAE chambers of commerce and industry in association with the Ministry of Economy and Planning, the Dubai business chamber, the German Trade and Commerce Office in Dubai and Index Conferences and Exhibition Organisation. 
Al Janahi commented that Jafza had been targeting investors from many countries and drawing their attention to the advantages of investing in the free zone. “This year, we are partnering with Germany, the largest economy of Europe, which relies on its strength in technology and the quality of its services. We are very keen on tapping the country’s potential and will continue to provide facilities for new German business ventures in the UAE.”
While welcoming the visiting Indian delegations, Hareb said the UAE shared a long history of bilateral trade with India with ties continuing to the present day, an example of which was the large number of Indian companies operating in Jafz.
“Focusing on the refinement and upgrading of every aspect of its services, Jafza has become a thriving business hub for Indian investors,” she said. “Today, there are more than 588 Indian companies at Jafz, which is 11 per cent of the total companies located in the zone. This number is set to rise considerably in the coming years, as Jafza expands its infrastructure and services. We are committed to stepping up our efforts to encourage more investments from the Indian business community.”
The volume of trade between the UAE and India is growing rapidly with the 2004-2005 statistics suggesting a value of $11.92 billion.
The Indian delegations said they appreciated “the excellent and superior” services offered by Jafza. Anthony De Sa, who headed the New Delhi delegation, said, “Jafza has been offering many incentives for easy, secure and profitable investments in the UAE for many years. The wide range of superior infrastructure facilities has encouraged Indian companies to explore the country’s huge business potential. We are committed to working closely with the UAE to enhance overall trade and economic activities between India and Dubai.”
Jafza offers a range of advantages to companies establishing operations in the zone such as simple administrative procedures, zero duties on all imports and exports and modern communication facilities and support services. More than 5,000 companies from over 120 countries, including about 150 Fortune 500 firms, have set up facilities at the free zone.
Jafza is honing the skills of its staff to better serve the interests of the free zone. Its human resources department recently held a customised training programme on the topic “Customer Service Development” exclusively for the employees of Jafza’s customer service department.
The four-day training, organised by Marwan Mohammed Mattar, general manager of Educational and Management International Consultancy (Emic), Bahrain, was conducted by Andrew Card, a UK-based customer service expert. The entire department staff, cutting across organisational levels, underwent the training which focused on various topics such as reducing the number of complaints by increasing customer satisfaction and encouraging the spirit of teamwork amongst employees. It also touched upon Jafza’s vision to be the international business hub in the Middle East, and laid out measures that would help achieve it.