JAFZA
Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) is a part of Dubai based, state owned Economic Zones World, one of the world’s biggest developers of Economic Zones, Logistics and R&D driven Industrial Parks. JAFZA is one of the most popular free zones in Dubai.
Created under an Emiri Decree, Jafza commenced operations in 1985 with standard size office units and warehouses to provide ready built facilities to customers. In 1990, Jafza expanded its facilities to include light industrial units.
Located next to Jebel Ali Port, the largest port in the Middle East and, at 30 minutes drive from the Dubai International Airport, Jafza is well positioned to enable its partners the fastest possible access to a market of over 2 billion people in the South and West Asia, the CIS and Africa. Supported with the region’s extensive highway network Jafza presents itself as the most efficient ally for all types of business opportunities.
Jafza is one of the world’s most services driven, customer centric free zones. Free from of red tape and vexing restrictions, Jafza provides its customers an environment which is most conducive for growth. Jafza’s deep commitment to service excellence has enabled it to win ISO 9001:2000 certifications in 1996, making it the world’s first ISO accredited free zone.
The incredible journey from a base of 19 member companies has manifested itself into a present where we are a globally renowned commercial and industrial hub, home to nearly 6,000 companies from well over 110 countries.
Facts and Figures
Jafza, spread over an area of 49 square kilometers, ranks among the world’s largest and the fastest growing free zones. In its 21 years of operation, Jafza has posted more than 300 times growth in its number of companies growing from 19 in 1985 to about 6000 in 2006. Since the turn of this century the Jebel Ali Free Zone has grown over 330 per cent.
Situated between Jebel Ali Port the world’s 8th largest seaport and the upcoming Jebel Ali International Airport, the world’s largest cargo airport, Jafza is the only free zone in the world to be located between the two major logistic enablers. With a six lane highway Jafza will facilitate the transportation of goods (custom bound) from sea to air in just 20 minutes.
Jafza is well positioned to enable its partners the fastest possible access to a market of over 2 billion people in South and West Asia, the CIS and Africa. Jebel Ali Port is part of DP World, which is the 4th largest port operator in the world, having combined throughput capacity of more than 48 million TEU’s in 2006.
About the Group
Jafza is a flagship brand of Economic Zones World (EZW), one of the world’s biggest developers and operators of Economic Zones and Business Parks. EZW currently operates Techno Park, Dubai Auto Zone and Jafza International.
EZW is Dubai World’s flag-bearer entity in the field of creation, development and management of special economic zones, Free Zones in Dubai, all of UAE’s Free Zones, logistics and industrial parks. With its focus on cultivating economic wealth worldwide, EZW has embarked on an ambitious journey of developing a strong international network of Economic Zones across the world.
The parent holding company, Dubai World, is the Dubai Government’s leading corporate entity for developing and managing a diverse portfolio of businesses and projects. DP World, Nakheel, Limitless, DC World, and Istithmar are few of Dubai World’s leading entities. In this capacity, Dubai World has been one of the primary accelerators for Dubai’s meteoric rise in commerce and trading in the region.
Dubai World has invested its talent across a wide range of strategic industry segments ranging from ports, economic zones, real estate to investments, leisure and financial services.
Value Proposition
From the start, Jafza was designed as an international business hub that offers an unrivalled package of benefits to its investors.
Jafza located in Dubai, well placed midway between Europe, Asia, and Africa, provides its clients a huge customer base of over 2 billion. From Jafza all important destinations in the region are less than 24 hours away.
Outstanding logistics infrastructure is one of Jafza’s key strengths. Situated between Jebel Ali Port the world’s 8th largest seaport and the upcoming Jebel Ali International Airport, the world’s largest cargo airport, Jafza is the only free zone in the world to be located between the two major logistic enablers. With a six lane highway Jafza will facilitate the transportation of goods (custom bound) from sea to air in just 20 minutes.
A wide range of state-of-the-art facilities are provided at Jafza, which include pre-built modern warehouses ready to be leased, office space in various sizes to accommodate the requirements of any company of any size, and plots of land for large-scale operations such as manufacturing and extensive warehousing.
Jafza boasts a wide range of commercial incentives, from a 100% foreign ownership, zero corporate and income taxes for a period of 50 years to exemption from local labour restrictions, full repatriation of profits and capital, and no foreign currency restrictions.
We help to set up company operations at Jafza and are committed to continually expand our offerings to our clients, to enable them to keep moving ahead.
Types of Companies
Companies can be formed in Jafza in the following different ways:
Free Zone Establishment (FZE) and Free Zone Company (FZCO): FZE and FZCO applicants can avail of Jafza’s unique offer of forming a company as a separate legal entity. An FZE can be formed with a single shareholder with a minimum capital of AED 1 million. An FZCO can be formed with 2 to 5 shareholders with a minimum capital of AED 500,000.
Branch Company: Companies having valid registration and license outside Jafza can apply for the formation of a branch Company in Jafza.
Special Status Non-Resident Offshore Companies: Jafza, under Jebel Ali Free Zone Offshore Companies Regulations 2003, allows the formation of an Offshore Company by individuals or corporate bodies, as a non-resident company, having a corporate legal entity.
TTypes of Licenses
Jafza issues various types of licences:
General Trading Licence allows the holder to import, distribute and store all items as per Jafza rules and regulations.
Trading Licence allows the holder to import, export, distribute and store items specified on the licence.
Industrial Licence allows the holder to import raw materials, carry out the manufacture of specified products and export the finished product to any country.
Service Licence allows the holder to carry out the services specified in the licence within the Free Zone. The type of service must conform to the parent company’s licence, issued by the Economic Department or Municipality of the relevant Emirate in the UAE.
National Industrial Licence is designed for manufacturing companies with an ownership or shareholding of at least 51% with AGCC (Arabian Gulf Co-operation Council) nationals / citizens. The value added to the product in the Free Zone must amount to a minimum of 40%. This licence allows the holder the same status as a local or AGCC inside the UAE
Jafza is a most favorable location for your enterprise operations as it is considered to be one of the best free zones in Dubai as well as among the free zones in UAE.
