(Dubai) – The Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (DAFZA) posted yet another banner year in 2015, achieving an impressive total revenue growth of 7 % and total assets growth of 3 %.
As a gateway connecting the emerging markets in Middle East and Africa, the Freezone grew its number of registered companies by 22 %, with multinational companies in particular rising 9 % as reflected by the growth of new sales revenue by 18 %. The share of GCC and Middle Eastern companies in DAFZA reached 40 %, followed by American and European companies at 36 % and Asian companies at 18 %. The share of companies from other parts of the world collectively reached 6 %.
Reflecting the resurgence of Dubai’s business environment, DAFZA witnessed higher demand for its office packages due to various factors, such as sustained economic growth and eager anticipation over global prospects related to the upcoming 2020 Dubai World Expo. According to official 2015 statistics, leasable office spaces across the Freezone increased by 11 % over 2014.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of DAFZA, said, “DAFZA is taking steady steps towards positioning itself as a main player and major driver for economic development and trade growth in Dubai, posting a strong performance and achieving significant growth at the operational level and among the focal sectors in the free zone. Last year’s buoyant financial results are testaments to DAFZA’s high potentials and competitive advantages which reflect its pivotal role in attracting foreign investments in the coming months.”
“Our successive achievements drive us to intensify our efforts to implement our ambitious initiatives that we launched in 2015, such as the DAFZA Innovation Strategy that comes in line with the directives of Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. We are looking forward to supporting economic diversification policies which complement the ‘UAE Beyond Oil Strategy.’ We will focus on creating integrated solutions and innovative initiatives that contribute to the achievement of these ambitious objectives and national priorities.”
“We aim to make a positive impact on smart transformation through investments in innovative ideas and projects’ expansion in the Free zone. We will pay great attention towards strengthening the bridges of communication with the international business community, maintaining our status as one of the most premium free zones in the world, and effectively contributing to the economic development in Dubai and the UAE,” he added.
(Courtesy WAM)
