Over 130% increase in no. of Japanese Companies in Dubai Airport FZ - Nasser Al Madani, Assistant Director General
As part of its efforts to make global strategic partnerships to attract more foreign investments, Dubai Airport Freezone has agreed on the cooperation mechanism to exchange experiences in technical& information technology services and commercial operations with Okinawa Free Trade Zone, Japan.
This agreement was endorsed during a visit by a high-level delegation from the Japanese free zone (Okinawa) to Dubai Airport Freezone yesterday.
Mr. Nasser Al Madani, Assistant Director-General Dubai Airport Freezone yesterday met with the Senior Executive officials from the Okinawa Free Trade Zone, to brief them on the services and facilities provided by the Dubai Airport Freezone.
The Dubai officials were given a briefing by the Japanese delegation on the quality of services provided by the Okinawa free zone to foreign investors.
"The visit of Okinawa Free Trade zone delegation is part of Freezone strategy to benchmark its processes, quality of services and facilities we to our clients," Al Madani said.
"It is essential to mirror our services in comparisons with other free zones, he added.
This will enable us to take advantage of these measurements for more common improvement and outstanding performance", Al Madani added.
"We are confident that we have unique expertise and knowledge in the field of free zones thanks to continuous support of officials in the government of Dubai.
"This helps us to provide new ideas for other free zones and take what can benefit us from them".
Al Madani added that Japan is an advanced industrial country, but it entered free zones industry recently. "Our expertise and capabilities in Dubai will add a lot to them while cooperation with Okinawa Free Zone is an appropriate factor of attraction to Dubai Airport Freezone for Japanese investors."
He said that out of 1.500 international companies many Japanese companies are now operating in the Freezone in various investment activities with an increase over 130% during 2009 compared to the previous year which indicates a growing volume of economic exchanges between the two countries ".
Katsunori Uehara, Deputy Director-General of the Tourism Department and Free Zones, the Okinawa Prefectural Government said: "The main purpose of our visit to the Dubai Airport Freezone is to take advantage of its extensive experience with which it managed to attract established companies from all over the world and Japan".
"Dubai Airport Freezone was established more than three years before us, as Okinawa free zone was established in 1999, making us more anxious to identify the achievements and challenges during this period, thereby benefiting from the results of this profound experience," Uehara said.
"With its two sections Okinawa free zone, that covers 122 hectares around the port and 26 hectares around Okinawa Airport, hopes for fruitful cooperation with the Dubai Airport Freezone in the fields of information technology services," Uehara added.
Uehara said "We aim to attract foreign companies. The services and facilities we have seen here in Dubai confirms the success of this mega project which attracted large number of multinational investment firms"
"Through Dubai Airport Freezone we shall seek to create a strategic partnership between us and the UAE investors who want to invest in Japan."
In conclusion, the delegation toured the facilities of the Freezone, accompanied by Dubai Airport officials.
-Ends-
About Dubai Airport Free Zone:
Dubai Airport Free Zone established in 1996 offers companies operating at the Free Zone 100% foreign ownership, Free Zone companies will benefit from 100% repatriation of capital.100% Corporate, import/ export, personal income, and commercial levies tax exemption. The Dubai Free Zone facilities offered to companies include "one stop shop" administration services and investors oriented management. Companies can operate 24 hours and enjoy security around the clock, as well as make use of the excellent cargo handling facilities (1.6 million tonnes handled in 2007), 24-hour Customs services, Dedicated Logistics Center (DNATA /FLC), and a range of ready-built and custom-made facilities close to the airport apron.
Trade through Dubai Airport FZ represents approximately seven per cent of total Dubai Trade in 2007. It contributed five per cent to Dubai's GDP. Businesses at Dubai Airport Free Zone resulted in a 75% increase in DNATA's cargo handling facilities at Dubai Airport Free Zone since its establishment. The Free Zone has contributed a 100% increase in the handling capacity of DNATA at the Free Zone in the period 2005-2007. (Current capacity 200,000 tonnes per annum).
The Dubai Free zone has received the following awards in the last couple of years:
- ISO 1800-/1999 Health & Safety Certificate.
- Dubai Government Excellence Award-2005
- FDI Award-fastest growing Free Zone in the Middle East-2006
- Middle East Logistic Award-The best Airport Free Zone in MENA-twice 2007 and 2008
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© Press Release 2010
