Ajman Free Zone unveils smart warehouses

In a statement, Mahmood AL Hashemi, General Manager of the Ajman Free Zone Authority (AFZA) said, "The launch of Smart Warehouses follows our decision to focus on business of all sizes and types facilitating a diverse range of investment and licensing options to suit their business requirements and budgets."

Al Hashemi, further added, "We have been able to attract significant investments from all over the world over and are confident that Smart Warehouses is an unparalleled proposition that will further catalyze the flow of global businesses to the Ajman Free Zone and it is imperative that we focus on facilitating these investments through cost-efficient, flexible and innovative investment platforms."

AFZA has been taking sustained steps in the recent past to position itself as an ideal business hub through road shows and participation in exhibitions across East Europe, the Indian Sub Continent and the Far East, the latest being its participation at the dedicated Hong Kong SME Expo.

So far AFZA has attracted over 7,000 companies with a significant chunk of SME investments in the portfolio. AFZA is also undertaking a major expansion drive of its premises anticipating a rise in the flow of investors to the free zone in the context of its flexible platforms that are unique and investment friendly.

"AFZA's endeavor is to offer unparalleled flexible investment & licensing options. The state-of-the-art Smart Warehouses combined with the advantages of location, infrastructure and facilitation-focused rules of AFZA will work well for global companies looking to have a base in the UAE," said Nader Eldesouky, Deputy General Manager, AFZA.

Elaborating on the rationale following the launch of the Smart Warehouses, Rishi Somaiya, Sales Director of the Free Zone said, "This is one-of-a kind proposition in the UAE and the region. Smart Warehouses have been designed in a flexible and scalable manner. Companies requiring small spaces have the option of renting units starting from a 100 sq.m. and investors can take up larger warehouse spaces by combining multiple units. Instead of investing in large warehouse space in the initial stages of a business, investors now have an option to take small spaces and expand it in a modular manner according to their business growth."

Rishi Somaiya further added, "The smallest sizes starting at a 100 sq.m are offered at an annual rental of Dhs35,000 per annum."

Along with Smart Warehouses, AFZA also offers other inexpensive investment platforms - Smart Offices and Executive Offices. Under the Smart Office category, investor are offered a shared office space for a meager $555 per month while in the case of Executive offices the investment is only $777 per month which includes the cost of the license.

The diverse investment platforms come with the other advantages including lease contracts of up to 40 years in two tranches of 20 years each, which has attracted scores of companies to the free zone that is home to over 7,000 enterprises currently.

Ever since its incorporation in 1988, the free zone has been instrumental in renewing industrial activity in the Emirate of Ajman. In the last few years the number of companies in AFZ has quadrupled.

The benefits of investing in Ajman Free Zone include 100% foreign ownership, comparatively cheap labour structure, proximity to sea and airports backed by the excellent transport infrastructure of the UAE. Ajman Free Zone also offers cheap energy, an up to date technology backed infrastructure, low handling charges and a single window clearance for investors with licenses issued within 24 hours.