Industrial firms in Jafza up 4.5% from previous year

The number of industrial companies in Jafza stood at 593 at the end of 2011, up 4.% 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 percent of the new companies are in Machinery and Equipment sector, 18% are in Consumer Goods, 9 percent 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 optimising 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 Dhs70 billion (US$19 billion), in 2010, which amounts to little over 30% of Jafza’s total external trade of Dhs233.27 billion (US$63 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 congesNike Air Max Plus TN