Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem: We continue to invest in infrastructure to enhance Dubai's competitiveness

Dubai, January 20, 2018:  Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) the flagship free zone subsidiary of global trade enabler DP World has opened the “Jafza Bridge” for traffic, linking Jafza North and Jafza South across Sheikh Zayed Road. 

The bridge, built in collaboration with the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will facilitate the flow of traffic between Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone, and Al Maktoum International Airport. It further enhances the efficacy of the Dubai Logistics Corridor which links the port, free zone and airport under a unified customs bond, creating one of the most efficient sea – air logistics link in the world. 

DP World Group Chairman and CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: “Jebel Ali Port and Free Zone continue to invest in infrastructure in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the Dubai Plan 2021 and the ‘Emirate After Oil’ strategy to diversify sources of income and build a sustainable economy based on knowledge and innovation. 

“The DP World group continues to attract more foreign investments and maintain the competitiveness of the port and the free zone globally with focus on innovative development of the global supply chain to strengthen the country's position as a regional and global business hub, facilitate trade movement and open up new markets for companies operating from the Free Zone in Dubai.”

Increased competitiveness

Mr. Bin Sulayem said that the Dubai Logistics Corridor, a key facet in facilitating container and cargo traffic between Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port, reduces the time taken for moving cargo between land, sea and air to less than an hour, shortens the distance and eases traffic congestion, ultimately leading to reduced carbon emissions. Additionally it reduces the cost of logistics and transport and plays a significant role in enhancing trade movement, linking Dubai with the world and facilitating DP World customers’ easy access to their target markets. This reflects Dubai's increased competitiveness, and boosts the contribution made by trade and logistics sectors to Dubai's GDP,” he said.

He pointed out the strategic location of Jebel Ali Port and the Free Zone as a logistics platform that includes modern warehouses capable of serving the transport and logistics sector more efficiently, as well as a range of incentives and advantages to the logistics sector, which has strengthened the UAE's position on the global trade map and helped attract more companies wanting to reach their target markets in record time.

328 logistic companies

Logistics is a key sector in Jafza, with 328 logistics companies from 29 countries around the world operating from the Free Zone. The growth of trade flow between Jafza and its trading partners in the GCC, West Asia, Africa, India and China has helped create new growth opportunities for the logistics sector companies operating in the free zone.

According to the World Bank's World Bank Logistics Performance Index, the UAE has leaped in the last few years to reach the 13th position globally in 2016 compared to 27 in 2014. The index measures key elements such as customs, infrastructure, freight and transport, and the time or schedule of shipments to rank countries.