Jafza Marks 40 Years as Cornerstone of Dubai's Trade and Economic Growth
Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), Dubai's flagship trade and logistics hub, has marked its 40th anniversary, reinforcing its status as a cornerstone of the emirate's economic development and global trade leadership.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, praised Jafza's pivotal role in shaping Dubai's economic landscape, noting its contributions to supply chain resilience, investment growth, and diversification. Speaking on the milestone, he highlighted Jafza's importance as a model for global free zone development and a key driver of Dubai's comprehensive economic agenda.
Established in 1985 under the vision of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum and formalised by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Jafza was the region's first designated free zone. It has since evolved into a vital part of DP World's global logistics network.
Today, Jafza supports over 11,000 companies from 157 countries and has attracted more than AED110 billion in investment. In 2024, the free zone facilitated AED713 billion in non-oil trade, a 15% increase from the previous year, and accounted for 74% of Dubai's FDI in key sectors.
Spanning over 539 million square feet and integrated with Jebel Ali Port, Jafza is among the world's most advanced multimodal logistics ecosystems. It supports over 160,000 jobs directly and indirectly, contributing 36% of Dubai's GDP alongside the Jebel Ali ecosystem.
Recognised in 2024 by fDi Intelligence as the world's top free zone, Jafza is also leading in sustainability, powered entirely by renewable energy and home to the Middle East's largest rooftop solar project.
As it enters its fifth decade, Jafza remains central to DP World's global expansion strategy and the UAE's vision for a resilient, sustainable, and innovation-driven economy.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
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