Dubai World statistics reaffirm free zone role as growth engine

Figures compiled by the Statistics Department of Dubai World and released on Wednesday (Feb 1) show that the total value of non-oil trade that passed through the free zones last year amounted to Dh193.6 Billion compared to Dh177.8 Billion in 2005.

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

"Imports through the emirate's free zones increased by 12 per cent, from Dh99 Billion in 2005 to Dh111 Billion in 2006, whereas the exports grew by only five per cent, from Dh78.7 Billion in 2005 to Dh82.6 Billion in 2006".

China topped the list of exporters to Dubai's various free zones with goods worth Dh18 Billion, followed by Japan with Dh10.7 Billion, USA (Dh8 Billion), Finland (Dh6.8 Billion) and Germany in the fifth place with Dh6.4 Billion.

Iran was rated the top Exporter from Dubai Free Zones with a total value of Dh9.4 Billion, trailed by Saudi (Dh7.2 Billion), Iraq (Dh4.7 Billion), India (Dh4.5 Billion) and Belgium (Dh4.3 Billion).

Mr Al Ashram said: "The number of companies operating from the emirate's eight free zones has also witnessed substantial jump over the last few years, reflecting their role as growth engines of Dubai's commerce."

The Jebel Ali Free Zone reasserted its pole position by taking the lion's share of the total non-oil foreign trade volume passing through free zones. It accounted for Dh136 Billion, Dh79 Billion in imports and Dh57.6 Billion in exports.

The Free Zone of Dubai International Airport took the second place with Dh46.8 Billion, Dh25.8 Billion in imports and Dh21 Billion in exports.

The Dubai Metals and Commodities Centre (DMCC) netted Dh6.3 Billion, Dh3.6 imports and Dh2.7 Billion exports, followed by Dubai Cars and Automotive Zone (DUCAMZ) which recorded Dh2.9 Billion, Dh1.8 Billion imports and Dh1.1 Billion exports.

Dubai Internet City recorded Dh534 Million, Dh472 Million for imports and Dh62 Million exports.

Dubai Media City accounted for Dh251 Million in business.

And finally, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Dubai Health City recorded imports worth Dh23.5 Million and 21.6 Million respectively.