logo

DFZ Council, DWTC Free Zone welcome Louis Vuitton under Dubai's One Freezone Passport Initiative

Zawyaa day ago
The Dubai Free Zones Council (DFZC), today announced the successful implementation of the One Freezone Passport, a ground-breaking initiative aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business across Dubai's free zones.
The initiative provides businesses with seamless access to multiple free zones while maintaining a single licence. This milestone underscores Dubai's commitment to fostering an agile and investor-friendly business environment, aligning with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
Building on this momentum, Dubai World Trade Centre Authority (DWTCA), which operates Dubai World Trade Centre Free Zone (DWTC Free Zone), has welcomed the global luxury brand Louis Vuitton as the first company to leverage this pioneering initiative.
The global luxury leader will now maintain its warehouse operations in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) while establishing its corporate office at One Za'abeel, part of DWTC Free Zone. This development highlights the programme's effectiveness in streamlining business expansion across Dubai's economic zones.
The streamlined free zone licence expansion process, completed in just five days, showcases Dubai's unparalleled efficiency in business setup and operational facilitation. This achievement aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33's objectives of establishing Dubai as a premier global destination for business setup and expansion.
Dr. Juma Al Matrooshi, Assistant Secretary General at Dubai Free Zones Council, said, 'The One Freezone Passport is a transformative initiative that cements Dubai's position as a global economic powerhouse. By enabling businesses to expand seamlessly across our world-class free zones, we are reinforcing Dubai's reputation as a premier investment destination. The swift and successful onboarding of Louis Vuitton through this program exemplifies the efficiency and attractiveness of Dubai's regulatory framework for international businesses.'
Abdalla Al Banna, Vice President of Free Zone Regulatory Operations at DWTC, said, 'The successful onboarding of Louis Vuitton, one of the world's most prestigious luxury brands, through the citywide One Freezone Passport initiative demonstrates both the calibre of businesses Dubai continues to attract and our commitment to fostering an efficient business environment. The company's decision to expand operations into DWTC Free Zone from JAFZA reinforces international confidence in Dubai's business ecosystem. This innovative programme from Dubai Free Zones Council enhances Dubai's attractiveness for global enterprises by enabling seamless operations across the city's free zones, actively contributing to Dubai's vision of becoming the world's leading destination for international investment and business setup.'
Amna Al Ali. Vice President, Licensing and Registration at Jebel Ali Free Zones, reconfirmed that the One Freezone Passport initiative represents a transformative approach to free zones operations in Dubai. The programme enables companies licensed at a single free zone to benefit from facilities located in other free zones across the emirate without requiring additional licensing. This innovative framework supports Dubai's vision by allowing companies to expand their operational footprint through a streamlined and fast-paced process, enhancing the emirate's competitive advantage in the global business landscape.
The successful implementation of Louis Vuitton's expansion reinforces DWTC Free Zone's position as a catalyst for business growth and innovation in Dubai. The initiative builds on Dubai's successful track record of implementing forward-thinking programmes that drive economic growth, strengthening the emirate's position as a global economic hub while enhancing operational efficiency for international businesses. Through these combined efforts, Dubai continues to attract and retain global business leaders across various sectors, reinforcing its status as a premier destination for international commerce.
The DWTC Free Zone offers a competitive and robust ecosystem, set within a regulated environment. Home to global companies, SMEs innovators, and entrepreneurs across over 40 diverse sectors, the DWTCA Free Zone offers a dynamic and business-friendly environment in the heart of the city with a key focus on offering tailor-made services to meet wide-ranging tenant requirements.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Dubai Business Events drives continued growth in H1 2025
Dubai Business Events drives continued growth in H1 2025

Khaleej Times

time3 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Dubai Business Events drives continued growth in H1 2025

Dubai Business Events (DBE), the city's official convention bureau, has continued to accelerate the growth of Dubai's business events ecosystem and support the city's tourism growth in line with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, securing 249 successful bids in the first six months of 2025 to host events through 2025 till 2029, including major congresses and high-profile incentive programmes. This marks a 29% increase in bid submissions compared to the same period last year, with a total of 391 bids submitted year-to-date and a conversion rate of 64%, up from 58% in H1 2024. These confirmed wins are expected to bring 127,087 delegates, a 35% year-on-year increase in delegate numbers, further enhancing Dubai's global standing as a hub for international business events and the emirate's knowledge economy. This performance underlines the overwhelmingly strong response to Dubai's destination proposition and global MICE positioning. The successful bids will enable Dubai to host distinguished international conferences, congresses, and incentive meetings, with a pipeline extending into 2029. This growth reinforces the importance of business events to the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which is focused on doubling the size of the city's economy by 2033 and cementing its status among the world's top three cities to visit, live, and work in. Through strategic collaboration, DBE, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, worked closely with stakeholders, partners, and local associations, including the Al Safeer Congress Ambassadors, a network of UAE-based key opinion leaders, industry professionals, and government representatives working to bring international business events within their sectors to Dubai and secure high-profile events. The Al Safeer Ambassador Programme, in partnership with the Dubai Association Centre, plays a vital role in strengthening the city's global reputation as a premier destination for meetings, incentives, and conferences, contributing significantly to bid development and success. Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: 'Guided by the country's wise leadership, Dubai's achievement during the first half of 2025 is a testament to the city's commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration in business events. In collaboration with our stakeholders and partners, we continue to drive the D33 vision and make Dubai a knowledge and business global hub. The diversity and extent of events booked this year confirm Dubai's infrastructure of international standards, accessibility, and market insight. In future years, we remain committed to delivering exceptional value to event organisers and delegates, and to establishing Dubai's leadership position on the international stage.' DBE's active engagement in the international market contributed to its strong performance, with teams conducting five sales missions across Asia (China, Japan and South Korea, India) as well as Europe (France and Belgium) and North America, engaging over 50 stakeholders and partners as well as representing Dubai in key strategic industry trade shows such as IMEX Frankfurt during H1 2025. These persistent activities have kept Dubai at the top of the minds of global event organisers and garnered the interests of decision-makers and delegates worldwide across core sectors. Dubai's global stature as a preferred business events destination was further underlined by new accolades in 2025. The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranked Dubai number one globally for highest attendee number per association meeting and the city retained its number one spot in the Middle East and Africa for total number of association meetings hosted. Meanwhile, Cvent confirmed Dubai's leading position among the Top 25 Meeting Destinations in the region. These recognitions affirm the city's ability to successfully and seamlessly accommodate the needs of international organisers across all event types. Dubai's growing appeal is also reflected in its success across corporate, incentive, and association segments. Notable wins during the first half of the year include the 2029 edition of Sibos, which is expected to attract 12,000 delegates, the 2027 1st Conjoint Meeting of the Cervical Spine Research Society - Asia Pacific and Europe with 800 delegates, and the 2026 edition of the World Congress on Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ISUOG), which will bring 2,000 delegates. Other association events include the 2026 Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat International Conference with 1,500 delegates and the 2026 International Symposium on Electronic Art (ISEA) with 1,000 delegates. In the corporate and incentive space, Dubai secured the 2026 Africa Energy Forum with 2,000 delegates, the Herbalife Multiple Market Incentive with 2,400 delegates, and the Planisware Incentive with 1,300 delegates. Returning events include Token2049 in 2026 with 15,000 delegates. Google will also call Dubai its home for two of its flagship conferences in 2026 and 2028, with 4,000 delegates each year. These achievements were further supported by DBE's Al Safeer Programme, which contributed to 51 ambassador-led bids during the period, winning 32 to date. Through year-round engagement and close collaboration with hotels, venues, Professional Congress Organisers (PCOs), Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and other service providers, DBE continues to attract prestigious business events to Dubai. The bureau also hosted study missions and participated in international events such as IMEX Frankfurt, providing meeting planners and industry stakeholders the opportunity to experience Dubai's dynamic business events infrastructure first-hand. Through the rest of the year, DBE will continue to participate in key strategic trade shows and events including Epex, IMEX Las Vegas, IBTM Barcelona, the ICCA Middle East Summit in Bahrain and ICCA global congress in Porto, joined by partners and stakeholders to grow collaborative efforts and drive Dubai's business events positioning further.

Chinese retail apps drive nearly three-quarters of UAE eCommerce ad spend
Chinese retail apps drive nearly three-quarters of UAE eCommerce ad spend

Khaleej Times

time3 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Chinese retail apps drive nearly three-quarters of UAE eCommerce ad spend

In the first half of 2025, Chinese apps accounted for nearly three quarters (73 per cent) of all user acquisition (UA) spend in the UAE. While further behind, France (13 per cent) and India (8 per cent) are also fast emerging as significant challengers, driven by targeted campaigns and potentially expat-focused strategies. The details were revealed as AppsFlyer released the UAE findings of its annual State of eCommerce Mobile Marketing report, revealing how Chinese eCommerce apps continue to dominate UA spending in one of the world's leading mobile-first economies. The report highlights the intensifying competition overseas brands pose to local eCommerce retailers, which saw their own UA investments shrink. This likely reflects a mix of budget reallocations, mounting competitive pressure, and market consolidation. However, AppsFlyer experts note that home-grown players still have an opportunity to grow, provided they adopt clearer strategies and embrace performance-driven, localised campaigns. 'Chinese apps have long been seeking growth outside their home market, and with tariffs and global trade headwinds pushing them to diversify, the UAE has been a natural fit given its premium audience and digital maturity,' said Sue Azari, Industry Lead - eCommerce, AppsFlyer. 'At the same time, French brands are tapping into premium iOS users here, while Indian advertisers likely see the UAE's significant South Asian expat base as an affordable, yet highly engaged segment.' The report underscores how iOS is entering a breakout phase in the UAE. While by the end of this year, Android app installs are projected to grow 713 per cent since 2017, iOS is surging to over 1383 per cent over the same period, with installs expected to more than double year-on-year in 2025. iOS has also seen a marked improvement in fraud prevention, with fraud rates dropping 63 per cent year-on-year in H1 2025. By contrast Android's fraud rate jumped 234 per cent in the same period. This suggests iOS is becoming an increasingly attractive, and safer, channel for marketers, even as Android remains critical for scale. Despite the UAE's advanced mobile ecosystem, with smartphone penetration at 97 per cent and average daily mobile internet use exceeding four hours, UA ad spending by eCommerce apps declined in H1 2025. Android UA spend fell 21 per cent compared to the same period in 2024, while iOS spending was down just 6 per cent, reflecting its relative resilience. Yet, H1 2025 still delivered the largest half-year remarketing spend to date, with Q1 alone tripling Q1 2024 levels — a clear sign of the impact of seasonal spikes during Ramadan and major retail events. 'Marketers should take note of the pronounced peaks in Q1 tied to Ramadan and plan their upcoming campaigns accordingly, while building in remarketing strategies to sustain engagement beyond holiday periods,' added Azari. 'The decline in Android UA spend could also present opportunities for savvy brands to capture lower-cost inventory while still reaching a vast user base.' With Android remarketing campaigns tripling late last year and iOS installs accelerating, the UAE remains a dynamic and competitive market for mobile commerce. 'Advertisers who balance premium iOS strategies with cost-effective Android engagement, and adapt budgets around seasonal patterns, stand the best chance of standing out in a crowded field,' concluded Azari.

Multiply Group completes acquisition of Tendam, doubling operational Ebitda
Multiply Group completes acquisition of Tendam, doubling operational Ebitda

Khaleej Times

time3 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

Multiply Group completes acquisition of Tendam, doubling operational Ebitda

Multiply Group, the Abu Dhabi-based investment holding company that invests in and operates businesses globally, on Wednesday completed its first major investment in Europe with the acquisition of a majority stake in Tendam, Spain's second-largest apparel group by market share . The deal doubles Multiply's operational Ebitda post-consolidation and expands its model to acquire standout businesses, unlock potential through capital and tech, and deliver sustained market leadership. As one of Europe's leading omnichannel apparel groups, Tendam operates more than 1,800 points of sale and runs successful digital loyalty programmes in over 80 markets, including Spain, Portugal, France, the UAE, and Latin America, making it well-positioned in the evolving retail landscape. From affordable fashion to premium styles, the company's diversified portfolio of 12 established brands caters to multiple customer segments through its leading fashion brands such as Women'secret, Springfield, Cortefiel and Pedro del Hierro, among others. Multiply now has a majority interest of 67.91 per cent in Castellano Investments S.À R.L. ('Company') (the owner of Tendam Brands S.A.U. and other subsidiaries), with Llano Holdings S.À R.L. and Arcadian Investments S.À R.L., the corporate investment vehicles for CVC Funds and PAI Partners, remaining as minority shareholders. With this investment, Multiply Group deepens its investments in consumer-focused industries and establishes a presence in the retail and apparel sector, with Tendam becoming a platform business under Multiply's Retail & Apparel vertical. Multiply will lead the next growth phase of Tendam. This growth is predicated on further international expansion across Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Embedding AI across all aspects of the business, from sourcing to customer operations, will support this growth journey and will leverage the digital infrastructure the company already has in place. In addition, Multiply will support the business on targeted M&A to introduce new brands and categories. Samia Bouazza, Group CEO and Managing Director of Multiply Group, said: 'This acquisition marks Multiply Group's strategic entry into the retail and apparel sector. By securing a controlling interest in a leading omnichannel platform, we are investing in a future-focused, high-performing business model backed by an outstanding management team. Built on strong, well-established owned brands, the platform offers the agility and vision to expand into new categories and scale emerging brands globally. With our expertise in creating synergies, deploying AI, and driving strategic M&A, we are poised to accelerate growth and unlock long-term value for our shareholders.' From a strategic standpoint, the acquisition offers Multiply Group a significant opportunity to leverage Tendam's strong brand platform and proven performance to drive future growth, supported by favourable consumer tailwinds in the global apparel retail market. Jaume Miquel, Chairman and CEO of Tendam, highlighted: 'Today we are starting a new era. Together, shareholders and management team, will fully deploy the Tendam potential, extending our brands to new formats, markets and channels supported by advanced artificial intelligence and digital technology, delivering stronger growth and profitability through a unique, unrivalled omnichannel brand ecosystem.' Since 2020, driven by its proven management team, Tendam has recorded steady, quarter-on-quarter growth, strengthening its business model in core markets while expanding its international presence. At the end of June 2025, the company reported last twelve months sales of €1.4 billion and Ebitda post-IFRS 16 of €340.7 million. Multiply Group has been advised by Greenhill (a Mizuho affiliate), Hogan Lovells and KPMG on the transaction. Castellano and its current shareholders have been advised by Uria Menendez. Ramón Hermosilla Abogados and Latham & Watkins LLP were legal advisors to Tendam on this transaction.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store