Electronics sector in Jafza posts 400% increase in the last ten years

HE Hisham Abdullah Al Shirawi, Chairman, Economic Zones World, the parent company of Jafza, commenting on the sector's remarkable growth said, "The Electronics and IT industries are among the key drivers of economic development globally, and more so in the Middle East, which is considered one of the fastest growing and richest regions in the world. In the last ten years the number of electronics and IT companies in Jebel Ali Free Zone has seen 4-fold growth rising from 280 in 2003 to 1121 in 2012. Electronics and IT sector constitutes 16% of the Jafza's total strength but these companies account for 39% of the Free Zone's total trade. The electronics and IT sector has generated trade worth Dhs130bn in 2011."

Quoting a recent study Al Shirawi said, "The growth in the electronics sector in the Middle East is expected to be driven by new technology equipment like smartphones, tablets, ultra books, E-readers, OLED TVs etc. In the UAE the growth will majorly be driven by various technology backed Government initiatives such as making the entire gamut of Government services available online and rising demand for smart devices from the new generation of consumers in the country. Growth in the electronics sector in Dubai and Jafza will come from West Asia, Africa, the CIS and South Asia, the markets Jafza, as a hub, serves."

HE Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, CEO of Economic Zones World, commenting on the Forum said, "The electronic and IT sector is one of the most dynamic and innovation driven business sectors. To maintain our leadership as a hub for the electronics industry in the Middle East we need to keep ourselves abreast with the latest trends and rapidly changing consumer demands globally and in the region and respond appropriately. That is what this customer forum seeks to do. The forum provides a platform to the industry and industry enablers to exchange knowledge and ideas to enhance their respective capabilities and making the operating environment within Jafza even more conducive for the businesses to grow."

Senior Jafza officials briefed the industry gathering on various initiatives the Free Zone has taken to enhance its infrastructure in physical and digital space such as new road networks being developed in Jafza South, upgrading of existing infrastructure such as Gate 4 and Roundabout-6 in Jafza North and various new e-initiatives such as its recently launched "JafzaSmart", its first smartphone applications for iPhone, Blackberry and Android phones. JafzaSmart will enable Jafza customers to log into their Dubai Trade account from their smartphones, making business transactions with Jafza easier and seamless than ever before.

Corporate business heads from leading electronics and IT companies including Sony Gulf, Panasonic Marketing MEA, Samsung Gulf, Pioneer, Black & Decker, Nikon, Jumbo and Nikai Gulf among others attended the event.

The attendees included top Jafza management including HE Hisham Al Chairman, HE Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, CEO, Talal Al Hashemi, Chief Operating Officer and Ibrahim Mohamed AL Janahi, Chief Commercial Officer of EZW and senior executives from Jafza's strategic partners including Dubai Customs, DP World, Trakhees, Dubai Chambers, Dubai Trade who collectively addressed queries and suggestions to improve operations and the Free Zone's effectiveness.

The Forum also discussed ways in which Jafza and its customers could take advantage of emerging opportunities in high-growth markets in Africa, the CIS and the Far East.

The Strategic Customer Forum was the first in a series of industry events initiated by Jafza to encourage dialogue with key clients in 2013.