DLC attracts investor interest at Asias premier aerospace exhibition

Dubai Logistics City (DLC), set to become the world's largest supply chain community within Dubai World Central - the huge city-within-a-city taking shape at Jebel Ali in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, has attracted investor interest at China's premier aerospace event.

The Congress allowed local Chinese, as well as global investors, to experience the project's future designation as the world's largest supply chain community. The DLC stand, covering a total of 180 square-metres and featuring a full display of the project, was held at the Air Freight Asia conference and exhibition. Phase one of DLC is set for operations by end of 2008.

Sino-UAE trade reached US$14.2 billion last year making the UAE its second largest trade partner among the GCC countries and the largest market for Chinese exports in the region.

"The Asian Aerospace Congress will allow investors to witness the potential that DLC holds for them in terms of logistics opportunities in Asia and the Pacific," said Michael Proffitt, CEO, Dubai Logistics City.

"DLC has been one of the key highlights of the Supply Chain Management Pavilion at the Air Freight Asia exhibition, which has allowed us to demonstrate the long term logistics benefits for investors in the project; China is an emerging superpower and the need for a truly multi-modal logistics platform can be met only through a project like DLC, where we foresee unprecedented growth in the next ten to fifteen years, in terms of airline fleet expansion, airport facilities and logistics projects."

Abdulla Al Falasi, Marketing and Corporate Communications Director of Dubai World Central, said that China's role as the world's fastest growing commercial aviation market has the ability to offer unique business opportunities within the supply chain industry.

"Throughout the Asian Aerospace Congress, DLC has been able to attract its key target audience, allowing us the opportunity to network with top buyers and suppliers. DLC, alongside the Dubai World Central International Airport (JXB), will provide investors with the premier regional and global supply chain community."

- ENDS

Photo Caption:
(L-R) John Tsang, Hong Kong's Special Administrative Region financial secretary, and Abdulla Al Falasi, Marketing and Corporate Communications Director of Dubai World Central, at the DLC stand during the Asian Aerospace International Expo and Congress.

About Dubai World Central:
Dubai World Central (DWC) is a 140 square kilometre urban aviation community centred around the world's largest international airport. Currently being built 40 kilometres from the existing Dubai International Airport the project is almost twice the size of Hong Kong Island.

DWC creates a new benchmark in urban planning and destination living designed to support Dubai's aviation, tourism, commercial and logistics requirements until 2050 and represents one of the most important developments in the history of the United Arab Emirates.

Eventually home to 900,000 people, DWC will be true 'city-within-a-city' with all the amenities that make up a world-class residential destination.

DWC, with infrastructure costs estimated at US $33 billion, comprises six specialized clustered zones: Dubai World Central International Airport (JXB), Dubai Logistics City (DLC), DWC Commercial City, DWC Residential City, DWC Aviation City and DWC Golf City.

DWC is backed by the Government of Dubai and is chaired by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Aviation Corporation - Dubai World Central, Government of Dubai.

About Dubai World Central components:

JXB, when completed, will be the world's biggest passenger and cargo hub, with a capacity of 120 million passengers and more than 12 million tonnes of cargo annually. The airport will have six parallel runways and as many concourses with a 91 metre high control tower that will be an aviation landmark in the Middle East.

DLC will be part of the world's first truly integrated multi-modal logistics platform in a single-bonded free zone environment made up of DLC, JXB, Aviation City and Jebel Ali Port. It is designed as the region's unchallenged logistics hub catering to some two billion people throughout the Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Africa and the CIS, all within three-to-four hours flying time from Dubai.

DWC Commercial City will be DWC's business and finance hub featuring more than 850 towers, ranging from 6-75 storeys in height. The city, expected to employ 130,000 people, will also boast 25 hotels ranging from deluxe, through to five-star, four-star and three-star properties.

DWC Residential City will include a mix of five-ten storey mid-cost apartment blocks. Up to 250,000 people are expected to live in this 'city'. A special staff village will house blue-collar workers within high-quality accommodation.

DWC Golf City will feature two 18-hole golf courses, extensive practice facilities, driving ranges, putting greens, a luxury clubhouse with restaurants and a pro-shop. Up to 2,500 freehold homes will surround the courses. The resort will also feature a high-end boutique hotel.

DWC Aviation City will be the region's premier centre of excellence for technology manufacturing and science and technology education.

Fouad Kassem at MCS/Action, PO Box 20970, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tel: +9714 390 2960;
Fax: +9714 390 8161

or visit www.dwc.ae