Explores opportunities to strengthen commercial ties between Japan and the free zone
HE Daisuke Matsunaga, the Japanese Consul General in the UAE visited Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) recently to explore further opportunities for Japanese companies to expand reach in the Middle East markets from Jafza, the region’s trade and logistics centre. He was received by Ibrahim Aljanahi, Deputy CEO Jafza at the free zone.
Aljanahi briefed the Consul General on Jafza’s growth driven industry practices and unique culture as well as the free zone’s continuing role as an important contributor to the local economy. He also referred to the importance of on-going cooperation between the countries to increase the level of global investments. HE the Consul General and Ibrahim Aljanahi had detailed discussions to strengthen commercial relations between Japan and the free zone.
The Consul General was also briefed on Jafza’s world-class infrastructure, facilities and new developments in the free zone such as the expansion project in the South Zone which began in 2003 to accommodate growing demand including the Convention Centre Complex, under construction and other recent developments.
Jafza has become a prominent regional business hub for Japanese businesses looking to base themselves in the Middle East. The free zone is home to over 100 Japanese companies including Sony, Hitachi, Toshiba, JVC, Panasonic, Sanyo, Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors, Fuji Film, Nichibo, Mitsui & Co, Obayashi, and Sumitomo Corporation among others.
UAE remains Japan’s top export market in the Gulf. The overall trade between Dubai and Japan in 2010 was valued at AED 17.5 billion, according to Dubai World’s Statistics Department. The total trade between Jafza and Japan in 2010 amounted to AED 7.28 billion.
