Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), the flagship Free Zone operations of Economic Zones World (EZW) sought to find ways to capitalize on the emerging growth opportunities for the Electronics and IT sector in the UAE and the Middle East region triggered by upcoming Dubai World Expo 2020 and several other historic initiatives taken by Dubai and the UAE’s visionary leadership, at the Strategic EZW Customer Forum held recently in the state-of-art Business Park conference room in TechnoPark.
Ibrahim Mohammed Al Janahi, Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer of Jafza commenting on the Forum said:
“There is a strong need for collaboration between the industry leaders, experts, Jafza Management and its partners to reinforce Jafza and Jafza-based electronics industry’s strength as the electronics sourcing hub for the Middle East in order to capitalize on the impending growth opportunities in the region.
“His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s historic Dubai Smart City project and World Expo 2020 are set to open huge opportunities for Jafza based companies in the electronics and IT sector, which must be fully capitalized on. We must find the most efficient way to do it. The customer forum was all about this.”
The Customer Forum for Electronics and IT was part of Jafza’s ongoing initiative of maintaining open channels of communication with its customers, and provide a platform to discuss global trends and prospects in the sector. The forum provided an opportunity to Jafza management and customers to enter into a comprehensive dialogue to find ways to take optimum leverage of emerging opportunities and boost growth in the industry segment.
Jafza has seen 43 percent growth in the number of companies in the Electronics and IT sector in the last 5 years growing from 846 in 2009 to 1248 today. The sector has generated trade worth USD 28.44 billion in 2013, up 3 percent from its trade in 2012.
Jafza expects significant jump in the electronics and IT sector in the next 5 years as the preparations for hosting Expo 2020 in Dubai gathers steam.
Adil Al Zarooni, SVP – Sales in Jafza, commenting on the future prospects for the industry said:
“The 2020 Expo will drive demand for products in three segments –PC’s including tablets, audio-visual and smart mobile devices. The experts estimate that around 81,000 new hotel rooms will be needed by 2020 to cater to the requirements of more than 25 million visitors that are expected to visit Dubai during the World Expo. The furnishing of the rooms and refurbishment of existing hotels and other accommodation facilities will drive demand for electronic and IT products and services. The UAE’s e-government initiatives including its focus on widespread E-Learning in academia and Dubai Smart City project will have huge impact on growth in the telecom, consumer electronics and IT sectors. Similar initiatives in other Middle East countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar are set to provide major boost to electronics sector in the region which Jafza as a hub serves.”
Al Zarooni, in this context, briefed audience on the Free Zone’s new strategic initiative “matajircom”, world’s first purpose built smart retail hub.
“Through this inclusive initiative, EZW, in collaboration with Dubai Customs, will put in place an eco-system that brings all players in “e” domain to partner and collaborate with each other in a synergetic and rewarding experience enabling a customer initiate online trade with utmost precision.”
Senior Jafza officials, in the open discussion, briefed industry gathering on several initiatives the Free Zone has taken to enhance its infrastructure and facilities such as the development of a number of entry and exit gates for light and heavy vehicles in Jafza South, expansion of Gate 4 in Jafza North from 5 to 16 tracks, the opening of a new bridge connecting North and South, the opening of new Medical Centre and a new service centre in Jafza South to process DHA and EIDA applications. They also highlighted the Free Zone’s iconic Jafza One complex which offers over 100,000 square metre of prime office space, 16,000 square metre convention centre, 600-seat auditorium and 322-room four star hotel.
Corporate business heads from leading electronics and IT companies including HP, Toshiba, Jumbo, Imation, Samsung, Brother, L&T, Alpine Electronics and Daiken among others attended the event.
The attendees included top Jafza management including Talal Al Hashemi, Chief Operating Officer and Asim Al Abbasi, Group Chief Financial Officer and senior executives from Jafza’s strategic partners including Dubai Customs, DP World, Trakhees, Dubai Chambers, Dubai Trade who collectively addressed queries and suggestions to improve operations and the Free Zone’s effectiveness.
The Forum also discussed ways in which Jafza customers could take advantage of emerging opportunities in high-growth markets globally by being part of Jafza Roadshows in emerging markets and also joining Jafza team that participates in various important trade exhibitions and business seminars across the world.
