“Jafza” is a success story that started in Dubai 40 years ago

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Dubai, confirmed that over four decades, the free zone of Jabal Ali (Jafza) was a basic pillar in the Dubai Development March, and a pioneering model in establishing the emirate’s position as a global center for trade and logistical services.

His Highness added: “We are proud of what DP World has achieved through (Javza), not only in supporting economic diversification and expanding the investment base, but in its active contribution to building a flexible economic system, keeping pace with global challenges, and contributes to the growth of supply and trade chains by enabling international partnerships. We look forward to a greater role for (Javza) in advancing the process of comprehensive economic growth in Dubai and supporting the World Trade movement, through a unique system that combines innovation, comprehensive services, land, marine and air connection.

This came on the occasion of the celebration of Jabal Ali (Jafza) free zone, the leading free zone of the Dubai Ports Group «DP and DRED), this year, with the 40th anniversary of its establishment, completing four decades of partnership in promoting trade, supporting the expansion of global business, and enhancing economic diversification in the Emirate of Dubai, to become a“ Jafza ”a model that is worldly to be followed in the establishment of free zones.

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum added: “Our celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of (Jafza) is a celebration of cross -border national achievements, and in the spirit of leadership that led Dubai to present a sustainable and inspiring development model for the world. We continue to build a future based on innovation, partnership and openness, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God bless him, to consolidate Dubai’s position as a global platform for the opportunities industry, and to enhance its readiness for the future, thanks to its leading institutions and its distinguished achievements ».

His Highness said in a post on X yesterday: “40 years ago, one of the major success stories in Dubai began with the establishment of the free zone of Jabal Ali (Jafza) in 1985, and the beginning was only 19 companies, and today it includes (Jafza), which is affiliated Today is more than 160 thousand employees. We congratulate Brother Sultan bin Selim and his creative work team on these exceptional achievements, and we look forward to a greater role for (Javza) and Jabal Ali in advancing the process of comprehensive economic growth in Dubai and supporting the World Trade movement, through a unique system that combines innovation, comprehensive services, land, marine and air connection.

Special logo

In conjunction with this distinguished occasion, Javza revealed a special slogan, and was keen to organize community activities, events and initiatives at the sector level, to involve customers and commercial partners throughout the year.

It is noteworthy that on the sixth of May 1980, the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, may God rest his soul, issued the first law to establish a free zone in Jabal Ali, to start with it a future foregoing vision that will witness the development of one of the most ambitious economic projects in the region, and by 1985 the free zone of Jabal Ali (Jafza) was officially established, according to a decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, to become the first free zone Dependable in the Middle East.

An important partner

During the past two decades, Jafza established its role in promoting investment and growth, as it attracted more than 110 billion dirhams of investments, and today contributes 36% of Dubai GDP, along with the Jabal Ali integrated system. “Javza” continues its pivotal role in supporting major national strategies, including Dubai Economic Agency D33, “project 300 billion” and “made in the Emirates”.

From a small nucleus of only 19 companies in 1985, Javza turned into one of the largest free zones in the world, today embraces more than 11 thousand companies from 157 countries, including more than 100 companies listed in the Fortune 500 list.

In 2024 alone, Javza contributed a pivotal role in stimulating the non -oil trade of Dubai, by facilitating trade transactions worth more than 713 billion dirhams, with a remarkable annual increase of 15% compared to 2023. The free zone also constituted 74% of foreign direct investment in the emirate within the sectors of manufacturing, trade and transportation in 2023.

Today, the advanced infrastructure of “Javza” extends over more than 539 million square feet, and provides multi -style links across the sea, atmosphere and righteousness. In integration with the port of Jebel Ali, which last year, its second highest performance during a decade, the “Javza” system and the port together are one of the most developed logistical centers in the world.

Job center

The importance of “Jafza” is highlighted as one of the largest employment centers and enhancing economic development in the UAE, by providing more than 160,000 jobs within the free zone in a wide range of sectors, extending from logistical services and the auto sector, to the food industries and advanced manufacturing.

In 2023, Javza and Jebel Ali port contributed to providing more than a million direct and indirect jobs, equivalent to 27% of the total jobs in the emirate. This contribution included about 40,000 jobs for Emirati citizens.

“The 40th anniversary of the founding of (Jafza) is an opportunity to celebrate our customers around the world, and with the insightful vision of our wise leadership that made Dubai a beacon of global trade. For four decades of continuous investment in infrastructure and innovation, Jafza has established its position as a vital growth engine, and today it has become the main axis of the Dubai economy. As we entered a new chapter of growth, (Jafza) continued her career with confidence to follow the expansion and present a role model for the DP World’s economic centers around the world.

Deep commitment

For his part, the CEO and General Manager of “DB and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Abdullah bin Damithan, said:” Our success over 40 years is due to our deep commitment to support our customers. Last year, we witnessed a remarkable growth represented in an increase of 12% in the number of new companies that started from (Javza), while the port of Jebel Ali continues its leadership among the top 10 ports in the world. Today, companies are facing increasing challenges in international trade, but thanks to our various industrial base, multi -style connection, our wide global network, and our deep experience, we offer our customers a unique competitive advantage. We celebrate this achievement, we extend our deep thanks to our customers and the growing society for their choice of Jabal Ali. ”

Bin Damithan added, during a meeting with the media yesterday, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the start of the “Jafza” work, that the free zone with the Port of Jebel Ali contributes about 36% of the GDP of the Emirate of Dubai.

He continued: «We noticed an increase in the number of companies in (Jafza) during the recent period, three years ago there were 8,000 companies, while now the number exceeded the barrier of 11 thousand companies. The integrated system provides a mixture that collects maritime transport with wild and air.

shipping

Bin Damithan indicated that the increase in the capacity of the shipping with the opening of other stages from the Al Maktoum International Airport, will stimulate the business sector in “Jafza”, pointing out that the increase in the number of companies in the free zone in Jabal Ali played a role in the high volume of handling through the port of Jebel Ali, the more companies that reflected this on the size of the handling, explaining that during the year 2024, the port witnessed the handling of 15.5 million stereotypes, an increase of one million containers 2023, to record the best performance since 2015.

He stated that the food and beverage sector in “Jafza” has witnessed great growth in recent years, while the region is expected to witness the opening of more facilities and factories that are still in the production stage, pointing out that some companies export their products to 60 countries from Jabal Ali, while “Javza” products reach various markets around the world, including the markets of Europe and America.

Regarding the extent of the impact of customs definitions on trade, Bin Damithan said that the partnership agreements signed by the UAE with its partners around the world, which reached about 20 agreements, contributed significantly to stimulating the commercial movement, for example, the trade with India increased by 15% after signing the partnership agreement.

Great investment

In turn, the CEO of Operations, Complexes and Free Zones, “De Dubai World”, the Gulf Cooperation Council states, Abdullah Al -Hashemi, said that “Javza” continues to invest heavily in the development of infrastructure, and during the next three years, “Jafza” will invest about 8.5 billion dirhams, of which about one billion dirhams to improve and develop the infrastructure in the free zone of Jabal Ali, and 3.5 billion dirhams to develop products And new logistical facilities in the free zone to meet the needs of investors, in addition to investing about 4.1 billion dirhams to develop specialized markets and other facilities.

He added that one of the most prominent projects is the “Mart Mart” project, which was launched last month, and will be officially opened next year, explaining that the project will be held on an area of ​​2.7 million square feet, and will serve as a commercial gate linking Indian companies with 150 naval destinations and 300 cities through the port of Jebel Ali.

He stated that the new investments in the free zone aim to keep pace with the Dubai Economic Agency «D33) in doubling the volume of trade during the next decade, noting that“ Javza ”contributes to providing facilities, as Javza’s efforts join the efforts of other economic areas in providing the facilities that investors need.

Capacity

Al -Hashemi stated that the free zone in Jabal Ali provided during the past three years an capacity of about one million square feet, through the “Javza” logistical complex – the first stage, and the “Jafza” logistical complex – the second stage.

He pointed out that the free zone has allocated investments of 90 million dirhams to develop the second phase of its logistical complex, by adding more than 360 thousand square feet that include first -class facilities and facilities.

He explained that the occupancy rate in the “Jafza” facilities is high, as it ranged in the warehouses between 95 and 100%, while for the leased lands to 92%, in tricks, the offices of the offices reaches 94%, indicating that the facilities that the free zone builds contribute to the continuous increase in the capacity.

Al -Hashemi indicated that “Jafza” has special initiatives for small and medium companies represented in a center to embrace these companies, and provides them with offices and rental options at a preferential price for three years in order for the company to start its business in the Emirati market, indicating that many of these companies succeeded and their business has expanded in this framework, and large companies have warehouses and warehouses.

He said: “We have many companies that have been operating for 40 years,” adding that “(Jafza) does not depend on a specific sector, but there is an interest and focus on various fields, as we witnessed in the recent period a significant increase in the auto sector, manufacturing, import and export.”

A more sustainable future

In line with the UAE’s strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, Javza focuses on the goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2040, and net zero emissions by 2050, and in a tangible step towards this goal, the operation of the free zone has become entirely based on renewable energy, according to the standards of the International Organization for Renewable Energy Certificates (I -RC) issued by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.

Dubai Crown Prince:

• “Javza” is an essential pillar in the Dubai development march, and a pioneering model in consolidating the emirate’s position as a global center for trade and logistical services.

• “Javza” attracted investments exceeding 110 billion dirhams during the past 20 years, within which more than 160,000 employees operate.

Abdullah bin Damithan:

• The free zone with Jebel Ali Port contributes about 36% of Dubai GDP.