Latest news with #IFZA
Zawya
27-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
High-level German delegation visits IFZA for strategic business talks in Dubai
Dubai, UAE – In response to the shifting dynamics of global trade, German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly seeking stable and strategic markets for international expansion. Reflecting this trend, a high-level business delegation from the German Association for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (BVMW) visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The visit was hosted by IFZA, Dubai's most dynamic Free Zone community. The visit comes at a time when many German SMEs are actively expanding into international markets such as the UAE, as trade relations between both countries continue to grow. The delegation was warmly welcomed by H.E. Sybille Pfaff, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai. In her opening remarks, she shared valuable insights into the bilateral ties between Germany and the UAE, emphasizing the growing importance of economic partnerships. The official agenda included IFZA-led presentations on company formation, legal framework, tax efficiency and market opportunities, as well as success stories of German companies in Dubai. These were complemented by legal consultations and expert insights from tax specialists, offering participants practical guidance on the UAE's legal and fiscal framework. 'Dubai offers German entrepreneurs more than just a foothold in the Middle East – it serves as a gateway to the emerging markets of Asia and Africa,' said Jochen Knecht, CEO of IFZA. 'We are pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with BVMW and showcase how German businesses can establish themselves in the UAE and benefit from its liberal business environment and robust infrastructure. We are confident this visit will serve as a catalyst for further collaboration and investment between Dubai and Germany, contributing to shared growth and prosperity.' During the visit, IFZA Chairman Martin G. Pedersen received a special honor from the BVMW: in recognition of his outstanding contributions to SMEs and his responsible leadership in business and society, he was officially appointed as Honorary Economic Senator (Wirtschaftssenator h.c.)—making him a member of the BVMW's highest committee, the Federal Economic Senate (BWS). Discussions between both sides focused on global supply chains and Dubai's role in international business and trade networks. Delegates also explored the emirate's wide range of investment opportunities and the shared vision of attracting multinational corporations and fast-growing startups from Germany to Dubai. A key highlight of the visit was a reception hosted at the German Embassy in Abu Dhabi, underlining the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations. 'The three-day exchange with IFZA marked another key milestone in our ongoing collaboration,' said Christoph Ahlhaus, Chairman of the BVMW Federal Executive Board. 'The Gulf region is one of the world's fastest-growing economies, and our visit confirmed the tremendous potential the UAE holds for German SMEs. This delegation trip opens a new chapter in our international engagement, strengthening global ties and emphasizing the BVMW's international orientation—with IFZA as a strong and trusted partner on the ground in Dubai. We are confident that our longstanding partnership and the joint efforts of all involved will significantly support our growing presence in the UAE and strengthen the German economy for the future.' The delegation also enjoyed several opportunities for networking, including a desert dinner, cultural excursions, and a visit to the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), providing them with a comprehensive overview of the business and lifestyle benefits Dubai has to offer. Germany has long been one of the UAE's most important European trading partners. As trade relations continue to deepen, Germany remains the UAE's second-largest EU trading partner and its 13th globally. With over 2,500 Professional Partners worldwide—including a strong presence in Germany, IFZA is a natural partner for German businesses looking to future-proof their global expansion strategies. About IFZA IFZA is the most dynamic and truly international Free Zone Community in the UAE, optimising the country's strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. IFZA differentiates itself through its multi-national approach, providing personalised business establishment solutions through its network of Government Authorities and Professional Partners. Business Owners and Employees can also benefit from a wide spectrum of value-added services within the IFZA ecosystem, including but not limited to property solutions, visa packages and training and development. The IFZA Business Park offers a wide variety of cutting-edge office facilities tailored to meet each Licensee's individual needs and provides a professional, welcoming environment to greet clients, network with other businesses and thrive. For details contact: Daniel Ford Head of Corporate Communications, IFZA dford@ M: +971 56 415 3075
Hi Dubai
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Smart Cities Council and IFZA Forge Global Alliance to Drive Urban Innovation from Dubai
The Smart Cities Council and Dubai's International Free Zone Authority (IFZA) have joined forces to accelerate smart city innovation, unveiling a series of strategic initiatives aimed at transforming how cities are built and connected—starting in Dubai and extending worldwide. The announcement was made during the Smart Cities Summit North America 2025 in San Francisco, where over 450 senior leaders from government, business, and academia gathered under the theme 'Public Safety, AI, and the Middle East in Focus.' As the summit's key partner, IFZA steered discussions around creating inclusive, sustainable, and tech-driven urban communities. Highlighting Dubai's emergence as a global smart city model, IFZA CFO Holger Schlechter emphasized the emirate's role as a launchpad for international innovation. 'Dubai represents more than just an economic opportunity; it represents a vision of what future cities can be,' he said, positioning Dubai as an ideal destination for American tech entrepreneurs and innovators. In a major step forward, SCC and IFZA announced the launch of two joint ventures—Smart Cities Council Middle East and Smart Cities Academy—geared toward accelerating urban innovation and education across the region. The collaboration underscores the growing ties between the U.S. and UAE in advancing sustainable, technology-led city development. 'By connecting Silicon Valley's innovation with Dubai's dynamic business environment, we aim to create a powerful launchpad for entrepreneurs,' said Corey Gray, President of SCC. Further reinforcing its commitment to innovation, IFZA also introduced Scale360, a Dubai-based open innovation platform developed with Plug and Play. The initiative aims to link startups with investors, corporates, and growth opportunities across the Middle East. Dubai, currently ranked 4th in the 2025 IMD Smart Cities Index, continues to set the benchmark for smart urban transformation. News Source: Emirates News Agency
Zawya
13-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Smart Cities Council and IFZA partner to drive cross-border innovation at Smart Cities Summit North America 2025
DUBAI, UAE – At the recently concluded Smart Cities Summit North America 2025, the Smart City Council (SCC) and IFZA (International Free Zone Authority), Dubai's leading Free Zone community, came together to advance a shared vision for innovation. As the key partner for the event, IFZA helped steer conversations toward building more inclusive, sustainable, and connected cities - starting with Dubai and reaching across international markets. Held in San Francisco, the summit brought together more than 450 senior leaders in government, business, and academia under the theme 'Public Safety, AI, and the Middle East in Focus.' Through keynote sessions, IFZA shared insights on how smart cities and free zones intersect as engines of social transformation through economic innovation, a principle deeply aligned with SCC's mission. 'Dubai represents more than just an economic opportunity; it represents a vision of what future cities can be,' said Holger Schlechter, CFO of IFZA. 'As Smart Cities Council partners, we are proud to champion this vision by building meaningful connections, sharing global insights, and opening new pathways for international tech entrepreneurs. This collaboration reflects the growing synergy between the United States and the UAE across diverse industries - and we believe Dubai offers the ideal platform for American innovators to bring their smart city solutions to life in Dubai and beyond.' Smart Cities Council and IFZA also announced two joint venture organisations, Smart Cities Council Middle East, to support the rapidly increasing demand for smart city solutions across the Middle East, and Smart Cities Academy™, a platform focused on smart city education and training. 'Our collaboration with IFZA marks a new chapter in how smart cities are imagined and built across borders,' said Corey Gray, President of Smart Cities Council. 'By connecting Silicon Valley's innovation with Dubai's dynamic business environment, we aim to create a powerful launchpad for entrepreneurs to test, adapt, and deploy their smart solutions globally. The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing regions for urban innovation, and through our solutions, we aim to equip governments, and organizations with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive in a smarter, more sustainable future.' Dubai, ranked 4th globally in the 2025 IMD Smart Cities Index, is already a benchmark for smart urban development, with world-class infrastructure, digital public services, and forward-looking policies. As a launching pad for transformative regional projects like NEOM in Saudi Arabia and New Cairo in Egypt, it provides international innovators with immediate access to high-growth opportunities across the Middle East. IFZA also announced the launch of Scale360, an open innovation platform based in Dubai designed to connect global startups with corporate partners, investors, and market access. Developed in partnership with Plug and Play, Scale360 reflects IFZA's growing role in supporting not just business setup, but business transformation. IFZA was created to be a platform where entrepreneurs and like-minded individuals come together, do business and thrive - not just by removing barriers to entry, but by building bridges to global markets for businesses, and eventually nations. IFZA believes in the power of business to connect and bring people together, cross borders, and create opportunities that unite individuals around shared goals. There is no better place for this vision to become a reality than the UAE due to the future-oriented mindset of its Government and leaders. Through its role as SCC's partner, IFZA aims to bridge Silicon Valley and Dubai, connecting entrepreneurs and ecosystems. At the summit, IFZA highlighted the evolving UAE–US relationship, built on shared priorities in diverse sectors. With over 1,500 American companies already active in the UAE- including Microsoft, Uber, and Cleveland Clinic - and 75% of the UAE's GDP now driven by non-oil sectors, Dubai has become a natural destination for American businesses that want to grow fast, stay agile, and lead globally. Participation at the summit marks the beginning of IFZA's US strategic engagement roadmap, which includes upcoming events such as Deep Tech Week San Francisco (June 2025) and the flagship Deep Tech Week Dubai (November 2025). About IFZA IFZA is the most dynamic and truly international Free Zone Community in the UAE, optimising the country's strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. IFZA differentiates itself through its multi-national approach, providing personalised business establishment solutions through its network of Government Authorities and Professional Partners. Business Owners and Employees can also benefit from a wide spectrum of value-added services within the IFZA ecosystem, including but not limited to property solutions, visa packages and training and development. The IFZA Business Park offers a wide variety of cutting-edge office facilities tailored to meet each Licensee's individual needs and provides a professional, welcoming environment to greet clients, network with other businesses and thrive. For details contact: Daniel Ford Head of Corporate Communications, IFZA dford@
Zawya
01-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
IFZA leads global dialogue as key partner of Smart Cities Summit North America 2025
Dubai, UAE: IFZA, Dubai's most dynamic Free Zone community, is pleased to announce it is the key partner for the upcoming Smart Cities Summit North America (SCSNA), taking place from the 6-8 May at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel, San Francisco. This year's summit, held in collaboration with Charter Cities Institute, Deep Tech Week, Leading Cities, Miami-Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Smart Cities Americas, and the Smart Cities Council, will bring together 450+ global experts from government, business, and academia. Focussed on the theme 'Public Safety, AI, and Africa & Middle East in Focus', the event explores how innovation and policy are shaping the future of urban living. IFZA will lead several sessions and conversations at the event, including a keynote address from Holger Schlechter, IFZA's CFO, who will speak on Dubai's role as a global business gateway and IFZA's vision to enable international entrepreneurship, digital economies and drive Foreign Direct Investment into the UAE. 'This summit is a milestone in IFZA's expansion into the US,' Schlechter said. 'San Francisco and Silicon Valley represent the very spirit of entrepreneurship, and we are proud to be part of an event that reflects our core values. At IFZA, our mission is to empower businesses to grow from Dubai and beyond. By being here, we are introducing more than just a launchpad for American businesses in Dubai - we're building bridges that enable innovation, collaboration, and sustainable growth between the US, Middle East. Where smart cities and IFZA combine perfectly is the notion of social transformation through economic innovation – this is what IFZA offers and which is central to SCC's mission.' 'In mid-2024 SCC and IFZA commenced our partnership, and from the beginning the strong and strategic links between UAE and the USA were clear, which is why we convened the summit. Roll forward nine months and we've had the UAE announce a $1.4 trillion investment in the USA in advance manufacturing, energy and AI, and the new Administration make the UAE one of the first stops on its international calendar,' added Corey Gray, Chair & president of Smart Cities Council. 'Add to the discussion the ability for UAE – Dubai in particular – to be a home base and launchpad for the broader Middle East as well as African engagement, and it is a compelling strategic alliance.' As the Middle East regional lead for the Smart Cities Council (SCC), IFZA is committed to forging meaningful connections, sharing global expertise, and enabling international innovators to scale their smart city solutions from Dubai to the world. This mission reflects the broader UAE - US partnership, as both nations continue to strengthen ties across AI, clean energy, infrastructure, and smart technologies. As one of the most open and future-ready economies, the UAE remains a significant economic partner of the United States, and events like the Smart Cities Summit play a crucial role in accelerating cross-border innovation, investment, and collaboration. Today, more than 1,500 US companies operate in the UAE, including Microsoft, Bank of America, Cleveland Clinic, Uber, and Starbucks. Ranked 8th globally in Kearney's 2024 FDI Confidence Index, the UAE continues to attract American businesses with its diversified economy - where more than 75% of activity stems from non-oil sectors - and its consistently pro-business regulatory environment. The summit also follows the recent UAE–USA bilateral talks, which focused on joint investments in AI, healthcare, Future Tech and industrial innovation. With senior delegations in attendance from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman, the event is expected to catalyse high-level dialogue and unlock new cross-border opportunities. Smart Cities Summit forms a key step in IFZA's US engagement roadmap, which also includes participation in Deep Tech Week San Francisco (June 22 - 27), Smart City Expo Miami (October 6 - 8), and the flagship Deep Tech Week Dubai (November). About IFZA IFZA is the most dynamic and truly international Free Zone Community in the UAE, optimising the country's strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. IFZA differentiates itself through its multi-national approach, providing personalised business establishment solutions through its network of Government Authorities and Professional Partners. Business Owners and Employees can also benefit from a wide spectrum of value-added services within the IFZA ecosystem, including but not limited to property solutions, visa packages and training and development. The IFZA Business Park offers a wide variety of cutting-edge office facilities tailored to meet each Licensee's individual needs and provides a professional, welcoming environment to greet clients, network with other businesses and thrive. For details contact: Daniel Ford Head of Corporate Communications, IFZA dford@ About Smart Cities Council Headquartered in Washington DC, Smart Cities Council, ('SCC'), is the world's largest and longest-running membership-based Social Impact Organisation for Smart Cities, Smart Buildings, and Technology. With operations in over 30 countries globally, SCC leads policy and advocacy, and through Global Thought Leaders, Regional Leads, Task Forces, Events, and Partnerships SCC develops thought leadership, knowledge, playbooks, educational assets and tools that enable the creation of positive, self-sustaining social, environmental and economic benefits. Contacts: Robyn Francis Events and Engagement Lead Smart Cities Council
Zawya
15-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
IFZA strengthens strategic partnership with BVMW to showcase UAE to German businesses at Zukunftstag in Berlin
Dubai, UAE – Reinforcing its commitment to strengthening bi-lateral business ties between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Germany, IFZA played a central role at this year's Zukunftstag (Future Day) in Berlin, hosted by the Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft e.V (BVMW), the German Federal Association of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses. This marks the second consecutive year of partnership between IFZA and BVMW at Zukunftstag, underlining a shared vision to unlock global opportunities for entrepreneurs and SMEs. Aligned with IFZA's mission to bring Dubai to the world and the world to Dubai and marking a pivotal step in its strategy to support Dubai government's ambitious D33 initiative; the partnership reiterates the organization's commitment to building bridges and forging meaningful connections across borders to unlock international business opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs. Commenting on IFZA's involvement with BVMW and Zukunftstag, Jochen Knecht, IFZA's CEO commented: 'IFZA has an impressive track-record of successfully serving the German business community, and we are thrilled to have been part of this landmark event for the second consecutive year. At IFZA we believe that business has a unique 'superpower' to bring people together. No matter how different we may be, there is common ground to be found by working together. Our presence at Zukunftstag not only supports German businesses in their international expansion but also strengthens the UAE economy by driving Foreign Direct Investment.' 'As a global business facilitator, IFZA connects businesses and entrepreneurs from around the world to the UAE, enabling them to optimize and unlock opportunities, and create meaningful impact to the UAE and beyond.' Speaking at the event, H.E. Ahmed Al Attar, UAE's Ambassador to Germany said, 'It was my pleasure to attend for the second consecutive year at Zukunftstag Mittelstand — an excellent platform celebrating the strength and innovation of German SMEs. I was pleased to visit the IFZA booth, one of the event's key sponsors, and to engage in a productive roundtable with over 18 companies, highlighting the growing interest in the UAE's dynamic opportunities and our shared commitment to deepening economic collaboration between the United Arab Emirates and the Federal Republic of Germany.' Germany is among the most important suppliers and contributors to the UAE's economy with a history that spans more than 50 years. The UAE is home to around 1,200 renowned German companies, with approximately 30,000 German citizens living in the country. The event brought together influential voices from Germany's SME sector, international partners, and government stakeholders, offering a platform for meaningful dialogue, knowledge exchange, and partnership opportunities. Commenting on IFZA's relationship with BVMW and continued support of Zunkunfstag, Christoph Ahlhaus, Chairman of the Federal Executive Board of the BVMW, said: 'It was a pleasure to once again welcome IFZA once again as the main partner at the largest SME event of the year. This partnership underlines the successful cooperation between the BVMW and IFZA and creates valuable synergies on both sides, as well as new growth opportunities for German SMEs.' As a key milestone in its global outreach, IFZA's presence at Zukunftstag 2025 further cemented its role as a trusted gateway between Germany and the UAE, enabling businesses to grow beyond borders. BMVW's office at IFZA's premises in Dubai connects its membership with the UAE market and serves as a hub for connecting German businesses with potential partners across the region. IFZA's ongoing international expansion includes dedicated offices in Berlin and Frankfurt, offering localized support for German entrepreneurs exploring opportunities in the UAE. The company continues to extend its global presence with established offices in Spain, Switzerland, China, Austria and Denmark, and additional offices are planned for the UK, Pakistan, India, Africa, and Latin America in the coming year. About IFZA IFZA is the most dynamic and truly international Free Zone Community in the UAE, optimising the country's strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. IFZA differentiates itself through its multi-national approach, providing personalised business establishment solutions through its network of Government Authorities and Professional Partners. Business Owners and Employees can also benefit from a wide spectrum of value-added services within the IFZA ecosystem, including but not limited to property solutions, visa packages and training and development. The IFZA Business Park offers a wide variety of cutting-edge office facilities tailored to meet each Licensee's individual needs and provides a professional, welcoming environment to greet clients, network with other businesses and thrive. For details contact: Daniel Ford Head of Corporate Communications, IFZA dford@ M: +971 56 415 3075
