DAFZA strengthen relations with Japanese companies
Nasser Al
Madani and Consul General of Japan.
In continued efforts towards building stronger trade ties between the UAE
and Japan, Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZA) winner of the fDi Magazine Global
Ranking Free Zone of the Future 2012/13 recently organized a networking
event for Japanese investors and companies.
The event attended by the Consul General of Japan and officials from Japan
External Trade Organization (JETRO) and Japan Business Council (JBC) aimed
at further strengthening relations with Japanese investors, and providing
information on the highly advanced, modern facilities and services provided
by the Freezone.
Speaking at the event, Nasser Al Madani, Assistant Director General of DAFZA,
said, "As the number one free zone in the world, DAFZA offers a wealth of
opportunities to companies operating within the Freezone that Japanese
investors can hugely benefit from. The state-of-the-art infrastructure and
facilities we provide ensure that we make every effort to make our tenant's
investment profitable."
"The event has been a great success for us in bringing together Japanese
investors from across the UAE and in generating interest to start their
business in DAFZA. This helps Japanese businesses to meet their strategic
business goals and also makes a positive impact in supporting the UAE's in
its mission to bring in foreign investment," he added.
Commenting on the event's success, His Excellency Daisuke Matsunaga, Consul
General of Japan congratulated DAFZA on becoming the number one free zone in
the world, and said, "This event gave us a great platform to discuss
strategic partnerships and allow the opportunity to exchange the
technological knowhow and best practices that DAFZA offers being the fastest
growing and the best free zone in the world."
He also stressed that his country is seeking to further strengthen the
relations with the UAE through strategic business partnerships. He said, "It
is the award-winning services of DAFZA, and accommodative investment laws
and legislation in the UAE that make it such a popular business hub amongst
foreign investors to set up their Middle East headquarters in Dubai."
In 2012, the UAE maintained its position as the largest market for Japanese
products in the Middle East with the value of bilateral trade rising by
37.58% to $50.38bn, compared to $36.62bn in 2010. Exports to the UAE grew by
1.82% to $7,466.13m, while imports grew by 46.53% to $42,912.73m in 2011.
Asian companies in DAFZA represent more than 17% of the tenants while the
Japanese companies represent more than 32% of the Asian sector. Currently,
Japan is one of the 10 most active countries in the Freezone representing 45
companies working in service, commerce and industrial sectors such as
Sumitomo, Toyota, Toshiba, Kawasaki and many others.
