Dubai, June 19th,2007 (WAM) -- Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), theMiddle East's top trading hub, is preparing to witness a sharp increasein the number of South Korean companies launching business operationsfrom the free zone.

Jafza and its investor-friendly business model attracted maximum attentionat the UAE-Korea Business Investment Opportunities Exhibition held inSeoul June 7 to 9.

The Exhibition assumed added significance since it was organized in thewake of the state visit to Korea by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum,Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in Maywhen he invited Korean businesses to use the UAE as the commercial gatewayto the entire Middle East.

Ibrahim Al Janahi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Sales, Jafza, whoattended the event said: ''This was the first such econmic forum betweenthe two countries and the interest generated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed'sofficial visit has opened new horizons for bilateral trade developments.

Jafza was able to reach out to a large number of major companies throughdirect contacts and showcase the advantages and competitive edge we provideto investors.'Korea is already a major investor in Dubai and the rest of the UAE, andKorean companies are involved in some of the most high-profile projects.

The number of Korean companies based in Jafza has more than doubled from20 in 2004 to 45 in 2006.

Al Janahi said: ''We expect to see this robust trend continue in thecoming years, given the keen investor interest that we generated at theSeoul exhibition this month. What is significant is that we are beginningto attract leading Korean companies such as Daewoo Electronics, HankookTower Crane, Hyundai Corporation, LG Electronics, Motrex, Sami Corporationand Samsung Gulf Electronics, involved in strategic sectors such as energyand mineral resources, construction, IT, communication technologies, shippingand logistics.' The Dubai-based high-tech industry facilitator, Techno Park, like Jafzaa subsidiary of Economic Zones World (EZW), also participated in the event.

EZW, a business unit of Dubai World, is one of the world's largest developersand operators of economic zones and business parks.