JEBEL ALI, Dec 17, 2006: Dubai's non- oil foreign trade through the free zones in the emirate made a big leap forward during the first 9 months of 2006, registering AED 143 Billion.

According to data compiled by Dubai World's Statistics Department, the figure represents an impressive 30.15 percent increase over the AED 127 Billion recorded for the same period in 2005.

The figures confirm the substantial growth witnessed by free zones as a consequence of attracting foreign investments looking for a safe heaven in the region.

Adel Al Ashram, Senior Manager, Statistics Department, Dubai World, said:

"The initial statistical indicators between January and September this year show that the total non-oil foreign trade through Jafza, the Dubai International Airport Free Zone, the Dubai Multi Commodities Center, the Dubai Auto Zone etc. was worth AED 143 Billion.

"This is proof of the important role the free zones play in Dubai's economy.  These zones are commercial hubs with developed infrastructures, contributing greatly to the strengthening of the logistics sector.  They have created integrated systems that seamlessly link air, sea and land transport."

Not surprisingly, Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza)  had the biggest share (68.81 percent) of non-oil foreign trade through free zones at AED 98 billion, followed by the Dubai International Airport Free Zones at AED 37 billion (26.14%), the Dubai Multi Commodities Center at AED 4.3 billion (3%) and the Dubai Auto Zone at AED 2 billion (1.6%).

China tops the list of Dubai's main non-oil free zones (import-wise) during the first 9 month period of 2006, accounting for AED 13.8 billion (16.7%) of the total, followed by Japan with AED 8.3 billion (10%), USA with AED 5.8 billion (7%), Finland with AED 5.7 billion (6.9%) and South Korea with AED 5.1 billion (6.2%).

On the exports front, Iran was the main destination for non-oil goods through Dubai's free zones, recording AED 6.7 billion (11%), followed by Saudi Arabia with AED 5.2 billion (8.6%), Iraq with AED 3.3 billion (5.5%), India with AED 3.2 billion (5.3%) and Belgium with AED 3.1 billion (5.2%).

-Ends-

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© Press Release 2006