Record breaking year for DMCC in 2012 with 2033 new company registrations

With 1,362 registrations in 2011, DMCC has witnessed a 50% growth year-on-year, a 5-fold increase over the last 5 years (from 1,155 companies in 2007 to over 5,720 companies 2012), positioning DMCC as one of the key contributors to Dubai's economy.

Located at the crossroads of the producing and consuming nations, Dubai's global relevance for business and trade is clearly illustrated through the diverse international representation of companies choosing to operate their businesses from the JLT Free Zone.

Out of the 2,033 registrations in 2012, 9% are from the Americas; 30% from Europe; 11% from the GCC; 8% from Africa; 42% from Asia and Australasia.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC, said, "At DMCC, we have harnessed Dubai's logistical offering (port, airport, metro) and its strategic position to establish Dubai as the global gateway for commodities trade and to create a business friendly marketplace for start-ups through to multi-nationals in the JLT Free Zone."

"Seeing the number of businesses choosing to operate from the JLT Free Zone double year-on-year is testament to that drive and determination. We will continue to innovate whilst providing our members with the new products and services they require to succeed in 2013 and beyond," he added.

DMCC has also made the ease of doing business for its members a key priority and have launched an extension to its Client Service Centre offering. As of December last year, DMCC improved its services by dividing the Centre into two operations, one solely dedicated to new clients (which allows for faster and more efficient registration for new members) and the other to renewal and all other amenities. Both services are situated on the first floor of the Almas Tower and have their own space and dedicated teams.

Gautam Sashittal, Chief Operating Officer, DMCC, said, "Over 94% of organisations that chose to operate from the JLT Free Zone in 2012 are new to Dubai indicating a substantial foreign direct investment contribution to the Emirate. We understand that companies new to Dubai in particular require an array of tailored services and support in order to open for business in an efficient and cost effective manner. Companies seeking to launch or expand in Dubai this year will therefore benefit enormously from our new client service specifically launched to cater for these requirements."

"DMCC will be introducing new and innovative projects which you will start to see implemented as of 2013, to ensure our members have access to world-class financial and physical infrastructure in order to successfully operate their businesses from the JLT Free Zone," he added.

Companies choosing to operate from the JLT Free Zone in 2012 include: ABN AMRO Bank's International Diamond & Jewellery Group (ID & JG), Dunkin' Donuts, Kempinski Hotels SA (JLT Branch), Guerlain (LVMH Group), BAT, GAC, Vertu, ENI IRAQ BV, Burger Fuel, Foster Wheeler E&C Ltd and Pacific Gulf Shipping Co.

DMCC's mandate was issued by Royal Decree 10 years ago with a strong focus on commodities trade. Its free zone offering has since grown to accommodate companies across all business sectors from across the globe due to its world-class physical and financial infrastructure, regulation, products and services that enable businesses to operate and trade with confidence from the JLT Free Zone.

JLT, with 64 mixed-use commercial and residential towers and over 160 retail outlets in operation, now has 55,000 people working and living within the development. It recently announced the transformation of one of its lakes into a park and the works will begin in early 2013.