Industrial Companies in Jafza totalled 593 at the end of 2011 up 4.5% from previous year
8.02.2012
The number of industrial companies in Jafza stood at 593 at the end of 2011, up 4.5% from the previous year, announced officials at Jafza’s recent Strategic Customer Forum held for Manufacturing and Industrial companies.
Jafza saw 34 new industrial companies join the free zone last year, which includes many leading multi-nationals such as MAN, David Brown, Allison Transmission, Legnano Teknoelectric, Stemcor Special Steels Limited among others. 61 % of the new companies are in Machinery and Equipment sector, 18% are in Consumer Goods, 9% each in Chemical/ Petroleum and Steel and Metal and 3% in Automotive.
Ibrahim Aljanahi, Jafza Deputy CEO, citing a 2011 KPMG report on ‘Global Manufacturing Outlook’ stated that despite the fact that global manufacturers were optimizing operations with a greater focus on efficiency and risk management, they were still confident about the year ahead with 53% respondents remaining optimistic and 25% very optimistic. He said: “This bodes well for industrial output and trade not just globally but here in the region as well. In Jafza we have a robust manufacturing and industrial sector. Total trade generated by companies with a manufacturing license stood at AED 70 billion, in 2010, which amounts to little over 30% of Jafza’s total external trade of AED 233.27 billion.”
Attending customers were given a first-hand update on growth in the sector and more specifically the work that was being done on issues raised by the industry leaders at previous Forums.
Aljanahi added: “We have held a series of Forums in the last year in order to maintain a constant dialogue with our customers to understand their complex and constantly changing business requirements which enable us to better accommodate the growth of their businesses. Sustaining our customer relationships is a priority and we view concerns as opportunities to strengthen our company.”
Senior officials from Jafza and partners including Dubai Customs, DP World, Civil Engineering Department (CED), Environment Health and Safety (EHS) Department, Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dubai Trade and DNRD collectively addressed queries at the Forum.
Jafza has worked with Dubai Customs in the last year to address multiple concerns of customers on better communication with clients on policies and rules and easing of congestion at customs gates.
Various other solutions were also discussed with other partners including the major revision of the existing traffic plan to clear congestion issues, introduction of an Emirates ID Center, better feeder bus routes for the Metro station, power availability and flexible leasing options for manufacturing companies looking to make long term investments.
The Strategic Customer Forum was the eighth in a series of industry events initiated by Jafza to encourage dialogue with key clients to facilitate growth in respective sectors. The first seven forums were held for clients in the Logistics, Chemical/Oil & Gas, Automotive, Machinery & Equipment Manufacturing, Electronics and IT, FMCG and Pharmaceutical products, Steel, Metal and Building Materials industries.
