As one of the world’s largest and fastest growing free zones, Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) wants to continuously strengthen its position as the international business hub of the Middle East.

Jafza’s market leadership and number one status in the region can easily be attributed to its customer-driven and stakeholder-driven strategy which continues to benefit not only the government of Dubai but also enterprises, clients and its employees. 
Its business model is based on three things says Asim Al Abbasi, chief finance officer Jafza and Economic Zones World. These include focused strategy, operational efficiency and financial performance.
“With an objectives-driven focused strategy Jafza wants to become everything that is mentioned in its mission statement while contributing to Dubai’s economic growth and development,” says Al Abbasi.
For operational efficiency we continuously keep up-grading technologies and our service excellence in order to provide our customers the best value in amenities, a one-stop shop and facilities.
Jafza offers its customers world-class infrastructure supported with quality, value-added services, incentives and comprehensive community amenities, enhancing a dynamic and thriving business environment.
“As for financial performance we are a value-driven business enterprise focused on economic development of the emirate and producing results and profits for our stake holders,” Al Abbasi says.
Following its massive success in the region, Jafza created its international arm in 2000 to meet the requirements of overseas governments or private investors seeking to establish a free trade zone, or any other type of special economic zone, within their own territorial borders.
“Within a short span of time Jafza International has been successful in building partnerships in key international locations. By the end of 2007, we will have concluded 10 to 12 multi-million-dollar economic zones or logistics and industrial park projects in various geographical locations,” says Al Abbasi.
Commenting on the processes and requirements set up by Jafza while selecting international projects he says: “We look at global connectivity, returns on investment, market demand and political and economic stability.”
In order to further consolidate its unique strength in the development and management of economic zones and business hubs across the world, Dubai World, the holding company for Jafza, launched Economic Zones World (EZW), earlier this year.
EZW has been created as a specialised entity to develop, manage and operate special economic zones and activity-specific business, logistics and industrial parks across the world. EZW’s current group profile includes Jafza, Techno Park, Dubai Auto Zone and Jafza International.
The free zone’s plans for the next year include development of South Zone and consolidation of other business units within the EZW group, Al Abbasi says.