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UAE Freezones Biz News Updates
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Jafza supports Dhs16bn FMCG, food and health sector in free zone
The number of FMCG, healthcare, food and beverage companies in Jebel Ali
Free Zone (Jafza) has grown to over 700 so far in 2012, increasing from 556
in 2009. This steady and ongoing increase in the representation of these
sectors in Jafza goes hand-in-hand with a rise in the level of trade
contributions these Jafza companies have made to the region since 2001,
reaching a peak of Dhs16bn in 2011.
This promising continued success of the FMCG, food and health sector within
Jafza formed the base of discussions during the recent Strategic Customer
Forum hosted by Jafza for these companies based in the free zone. This was
the latest in a string of sector specific forums held by Jafza as part of
its ongoing efforts to maintain strategic communication with its customers.
The forum provided an ideal platform for discussions of global trends and
sector specific issues whilst encouraging open dialogue regarding how Jafza
can help this sector's companies succeed and what issues facing their
business environment Jafza can help resolve. The forum was attended by high
level representatives from industry leaders based in the free zone,
including Beiersdorf Middle East, Unilever Gulf, Cedars Jebel Ali Hospital,
Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson Middle East and Nestle Middle East.
In his keynote speech at the forum, Mr. Ibrahim Al Janahi, Deputy CEO of
Jafza, said, "Despite a decline of more than 7% in global food industry's
overall imports and exports this year companies in this sector have
continued to thrive in Jafza. The increase in number of companies choosing
Jafza as a base and expansions undertaken by existing companies in terms of
their facilities and also their scope of operations is true testament to how
our companies are beating global trends."
He added, "This strategic forum is a great opportunity for Jafza customers
to partake in in-depth discussion on ways in which business operations in
the free zone can be made even smoother. Industry leaders can take advantage
of the opportunity to exchange ideas to find ways to keep the industry
growing and succeeding. This Customer Forum is a chance to generate a
sustained dialogue that will continue throughout the coming year."
Senior officials from Jafza and the top FMCG, food and healthcare companies
joined the discussions in the forum, alongside key representatives from
Jafza partners, including Dubai Customs, Dubai Trade, Dubai Municipality,
RTA and Ministry of Health.
Key among the topics discussed were updates on initiatives that had been
taken to meet issues raised in the previous forum and feedback on current
issues that were affecting companies in this sector. Mr. Al Janahi spoke
about two major steps Jafza had undertaken to meet specific requests raised
by FMCG, food and health customers, saying, "Key among the initiatives Jafza
has undertaken to meet its promise to customers has been the Jafza
initiative to call for a joint forum of key stakeholders to draw an
effective strategy to fight illegal trade and violation of Intellectual
Property Rights (IPR) in the world. As a vital trade and logistics hub, this
is a matter of strategic priority for all of us."
"Second, in order to address issues raised by Jafza companies regarding the
issuance of Certificates of Origin, Jafza signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Ministry of Economy to increase the ease with which
these certificates are issued," he added.
One of the key problems facing companies in this sector, raised in last
year's forum, was the issue of congestion on the roads within Jafza. This
was a cause of delays with transport of goods for many companies. In answer
to this, Jafza has spent the last year developing comprehensive plans with
RTA to improve the road infrastructure within the zone; several phases of
which are well underway and on track for completion in the first quarter of
2013.
Dr. Amr El Sabban, SVP of Engineering and Project Management, Jafza, updated
the forum, saying, "Through Jafza's close partnership with RTA we have been
able to draw firm plans for the improvement of Jafza road network including
connections and entry points. Two important phases are already in progress
to improve the ease of movement of large vehicles and will be complete early
in 2013. A bridge creating a direct connection between Jafza South and Jafza
North is under construction and a new cargo gate is being erected that will
connect Jafza south directly to Emirates Road."
"In addition, further improvements are being made to our Gate 4 entrance
from Sheikh Zayed Road and the nearby Roundabout 6. This will be of great
benefit to the light vehicle traffic passing through this entrance," he
added.
Another key issue that has been addressed was the issue of access for
Customs inspections after certain hours. Jafza coordinated with Dubai
Customs and there is now a 24 hour Customs presence at Gate 3 for specific
transactions.
A new issue raised today was a problem faced by several companies present in
the forum regarding waste disposal. Currently, the process of approvals
across several entities including EHS, Dubai Municipality and Dubai Customs
is lengthy and causes delays. Companies present called for a simplified,
single window approach to this that would unify the individual stages of
these approvals, thereby increasing the ease with which companies could
dispose of a variety of types of waste.
Jafza representatives present assured to call a meeting with the entities
involved in this process to gain a better understanding of the role of each
entity and find a way of integrating the systems. Going forward Jafza
officials renewed their promise to maintain a policy of continued discussion
and encouraged the gathered industry leaders to keep them updated on any
news, issues or feedback as the year progresses. |
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Courtesy AME Info FZ LLC
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