|
|
UAE Freezones Biz News Updates
|
|
|
Jafza management meets with Japanese business community in Dubai to forge
stronger ties
 CEO
Economic Zones World Salma Hareb, and His Excellency Daisuke Matsunaga, the
Consul -General of Japan in Dubai along with participants of the meeting in
Jebel Ali
Japanese companies continue to see Jafza as a prime venue for base of
operations in Mena region, was the consensus expressed at a business
community meeting in the Jebel Ali Free Zone recently.
A number of high-profile businessmen, representing some of the largest
Japanese companies, led by His Excellency Daisuke Matsunaga, the Consul
General of Japan in Dubai, recently met Mrs. Salma Ali Saif bin Hareb, CEO
Economic Zones World, Talal Al Hashemi, Chief Operating Officer, and Ibrahim
Mohamed Al Janahi, Deputy CEO of Jafza and Chief Commercial Officer of
Economic Zones World.
Representatives of The Japanese External Trade Organisation (Jetro) and the
Japanese Business Council were also present at the gathering, along with
senior officials from major Japanese companies, such as Mitsubishi, Brother
International, Denso, Panasonic, Honda, JVCKenwood, Daikin and Nippon
Steel.
Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Matsunaga recalled that a Japanese
company was one of the first to set up operations in Jafza at the time of
the Free Zone’s establishment in 1985. He appreciated the role continues
Jafza plays in the development and growth of businesses.
In his welcome address, Ibrahim Al Janahi pointed out that Japan was a key
business partner for not only the UAE and Dubai, but Jafza as well.
“Japan is a traditional trade partner and a great friend of the UAE, and one
of the first to recognize the country when the federation was formed in
1971. Over the past decade, our trade relations have seen continuous
growth.
“For Japanese and other companies operating out of Jafza and Dubai, there
are tremendous opportunities as Dubai gears up for the future with upcoming
World Expo 2020. The World Expo 2020 site is also practically next door.
Adding to the opportunities present for businesses in the years leading up
to the Expo, and beyond. Developmental initiatives undertaken by the
government such as the Smart City initiative, coupled with the world’s first
smart retail hub, Matajircom planned for Technopark and Jafza’s own
developments of specialized Zones, are taking Dubai into a bright future,”
he added.
Jafza’s trade with Japan has grown steadily in line with the country’s trade
with the UAE. Jafza’s trade with Japan doubled to more than US$3 billion
following a steady rise from US$1.5 billion in 2004. Comparatively, UAE’s
trade with Japan is currently around US$11 billion from its 2004 figure of
roughly US$5 billion.
Adil Al Zarooni, Senior Vice President, Sales, Jafza, also gave the audience
a presentation on Jafza, Technopark, and the latest developments in the
products and services.
A total of 145 Japanese companies currently operate out of Jafza. Last year,
new companies including market leaders such as Electronics major Casio, and
construction giant Dai Nippon Construction made Jafza their home, joining
major global names such as Toshiba, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Sony, Panasonic,
Nissan, Honda and others.
June 9, 2014 |
| |
Courtesy Al Bawaba
|
|
