High level Japanese delegation visit Jafza

Ibrahim Mohammed Al Janahi, Vice President of Commercial Sales in Jafza met the delegation that was headed by Kenji Shirasaki, Chairman of Mitsui & Co Thailand and President of Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok, Tetsuji Banno, Vice Chairman & CEO of Marubeni Thailand, Ryoichi Sasaki, Vice Chairman & CEO of Thai Toyota and Tsuyoshi Noro, Chairman of Thai Mitsubishi Corp, as well as directors in Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Thailand and top management officials in their operations companies.

Al Janahi welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the necessity of developing trade relations and the commercial environment between the two countries. He said that Japan is considered an extensive and valuable market for a wide variety of products, and that it is considered in Jebel Ali an essential target for marketing products from the Free Zone factories and companies.

"Japan is the fastest growing economy in the world, and Japanese manufacturing and industrial companies have emerged globally competitive. Many of these companies are looking to expand their operations to overseas destinations," said Al Janahi.

He also pointed out the existence of more than 92 Japanese companies in Jafza practicing different commercial, industrial and services activities and reinforcing that he's eager to see this number grow in the near future.

Al Janahi explained that Jafza which was established in 1985 has now grown to incorporate over 5,000 companies from over 120 nations and boasts a profound international reputation. Over 140 Fortune Global 500 companies, have set up facilities at Jafza.

The decision to accept a company in the Free Zone is not only solely based on the trade advantages that can be gained from acquiring a new company, but also depends on other factors, the most important being the company's ability to contribute an added value service to the national economy.

He also remarked on Jafza having expanded its area to over 140 square kilometers, due to the large demand of international companies wishing to establish a regional office, in order to take advantage of the regional market that incorporates over 2 billion prospective consumers. The current situation reveals that approximately 74% of Free zone companies are engaged in trade activities, while 22% are industrial and the remaining 4% are concerned in services.

On his part, the head of the delegation Mr. Shirasaki addressed the progress of commerce in the UAE and Jebel Ali. He also stated that, "the relations between Japan and the UAE are growing, but we would like them to expand even further than the present."

At the same time he mentioned the constant active participation of various factories and companies in commercial events and exhibitions held in Dubai. The Japanese delegation cited the excellent services that are offered by Jafza, which are considered truly of a superior class.

He also said that the purpose of this visit of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok comes in line with their plan to visit many countries, in order to find new business markets and deepen knowledge of them for Japanese businesses based in Thailand.

At the end of the meeting the delegation paid a tour to nJafza's different facilities and services areas.