The Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza), the leading business hub in the region, held a seminar for Dubai’s leading business consultants and commercial attachés to keep them informed about new developments and plans.

Jafza CEO Salma Hareb said the seminar reflected her organisation’s commitment to keep consultants informed of what was happening at the free zone and to grant them opportunities to exchange views and discuss concerns they may have on the developments.
Ibrahim Mohammad Al Janahi, executive vice president, commercial sales, said Jafza highly valued the constant support offered by its consultants.
Established in 1985, the Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafz) has grown to incorporate over 5,000 companies from more than 120 nations and over 140 Fortune Global 500 companies. Jafza prides itself in providing its clients with simple administrative procedures, zero duties on all import and export goods and machinery, modern communication facilities and support services.
In other developments, Jafza announced its support for the 2006 edition of the Mohammed  Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MRM) Business Award and encouraged its companies to participate in it. The award is being organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry to appreciate the efforts of companies in the UAE in developing business sectors and contributing to the national economy.
The award involves four main business categories, namely manufacturing, financial services, re-exporting and construction.
Jafza and the DCCI also held a seminar at Dubai Industrial City to provide companies with information about the award.
 Hareb said Jafza’s involvement with the award provided the organisation an excellent learning experience that would help it raise its companies’ profile in the business community and in the public’s eye.
After participating in a Chinese construction industry exhibition in Shanghai, Jafza officials said they saw substantial interest among construction and building materials companies in the incentives offered by the free zone.
Dr Mohammed Al Banna, Jafza’s regional manager, Asia and Pacific, who represented his organisation at the fair, said, “China is one of our key target countries and our participation in this event was imperative from a strategic point of view, especially given China’s growing prominence in manufacturing and construction.”
 Al Banna said the booming real estate sector had provided numerous opportunities for construction and building materials companies to tap into the region’s potential.    “China’s expertise in construction engineering is globally acclaimed and we are glad that several major Chinese companies have showed their willingness to set up operations within Jafza,” he added.       
 One of the seminars at the event was “Promotion Convention for Dubai Jebel Ali Free Zone in China.”  It focused on Dubai in general and on Jafz in particular. The audience was informed about Dubai’s development in various fields, Jafz’s history and Dubai’s trade relations with international countries including China.