Jafza management meets with Japanese business community in Dubai to forge stronger ties

Japanese companies continue to see Jafza as a prime venue for base of operations in Mena region, was the consensus expressed at a business community meeting in the Jebel Ali Free Zone recently. 

A number of high-profile businessmen, representing some of the largest Japanese companies, led by His Excellency Daisuke Matsunaga, the Consul General of Japan in Dubai, recently met Mrs. Salma Ali Saif bin Hareb, CEO Economic Zones World, Talal Al Hashemi, Chief Operating Officer, and Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi, Deputy CEO of Jafza and Chief Commercial Officer of Economic Zones World. 

Representatives of The Japanese External Trade Organisation (Jetro) and the Japanese Business Council were also present at the gathering, along with senior officials from major Japanese companies, such as Mitsubishi, Brother International, Denso, Panasonic, Honda, JVCKenwood, Daikin and Nippon Steel. 

Speaking on the occasion, His Excellency Matsunaga recalled that a Japanese company was one of the first to set up operations in Jafza at the time of the Free Zone’s establishment in 1985. He appreciated the role continues Jafza plays in the development and growth of businesses. 

In his welcome address, Ibrahim Al Janahi pointed out that Japan was a key business partner for not only the UAE and Dubai, but Jafza as well. 

“Japan is a traditional trade partner and a great friend of the UAE, and one of the first to recognize the country when the federation was formed in 1971. Over the past decade, our trade relations have seen continuous growth. 

“For Japanese and other companies operating out of Jafza and Dubai, there are tremendous opportunities as Dubai gears up for the future with upcoming World Expo 2020. The World Expo 2020 site is also practically next door. Adding to the opportunities present for businesses in the years leading up to the Expo, and beyond. Developmental initiatives undertaken by the government such as the Smart City initiative, coupled with the world’s first smart retail hub, Matajircom planned for Technopark and Jafza’s own developments of specialized Zones, are taking Dubai into a bright future,” he added. 

Jafza’s trade with Japan has grown steadily in line with the country’s trade with the UAE. Jafza’s trade with Japan doubled to more than US$3 billion following a steady rise from US$1.5 billion in 2004. Comparatively, UAE’s trade with Japan is currently around US$11 billion from its 2004 figure of roughly US$5 billion.

Adil Al Zarooni, Senior Vice President, Sales, Jafza, also gave the audience a presentation on Jafza, Technopark, and the latest developments in the products and services. 

A total of 145 Japanese companies currently operate out of Jafza. Last year, new companies including market leaders such as Electronics major Casio, and construction giant Dai Nippon Construction made Jafza their home, joining major global names such as Toshiba, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, Sony, Panasonic, Nissan, Honda and others.