ADAC showcases Airport Free Zone at Global Business Forum in Hannover Messe, Germany

The four-million square metre development project which is planned to be built within the premesis of Abu Dhabi International Airport attracted interest from the ranks of business people attending the world's leading international showplace for industrial technologies.

Part of a delegation of companies from the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi Airports Company officials held talks with a variety of industries keen to explore the opportunities that an Airport Free Zone in the UAE capital will offer.

Interested industries range from the aviation sector, technology, logistics, as well as energy and car manufacturers; each expressing confidence that the planned investment and infrastructure would surely provide a key regional and forwarding transportation and business hub.

The Global Business Forum is a world leading trade issues conference and exhibition that runs concurrently to the Hannover Messe, a 10 trade exhibition which offers an important arena for matchmaking industries with influential global industry figures.

Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone project is to come about in phases with planning for Phase 1 underway with a view to be completed by 2010.

Planned to accommodate world-class business facilities, Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone's will offer light industrial units, commercial offices and land for lease - each tailored to the various business requirements.

Some of the clear economic benefits by the planned Free Zone include 100 percent duties and tax exemption,100 percent foreign ownership of the business and full repatriation of capital and funds to home markets.

'Hannover Messe is clearly a great platform from which Abu Dhabi Airports Company can present the opportunities and developments surrounding the airport and of which the Airport Free Zone is an intrinsic part,' said Saeed Al Mulla, Senior Development Director for Abu Dhabi Airport Free Zone.

Al Mulla, presenting at the Global Business Forum, added: 'We have noticed a clear interest from European companies looking for a solid base to access the Middle East market as well as providing a convenient hub for further routes into the Asian markets, for both of which Abu Dhabi is a strategic geographical location.'