Dafza keen to attract new business, FDI from China

DUBAI / WAM

Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (Dafza), one of the UAE’s leading free zones, has stepped up efforts to attract new business and foreign direct investment (FDI) from China following official Chinese delegation visits this week.
Jamal bin Marghoob, Senior Director of Sales at Dafza, along with senior officials welcomed the delegation from the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Sichuan Council (CCPIT), which was represented by Yang Shibo, Minister of the Association and another delegation from the Sichuan Provi- ncial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, which was led by Zhang Lyu Ping, Deputy Director-General.
The delegation consisted of representatives from a number of Chinese companies which aim to better understand investment policies, economic and trade regulations and to explore opportunities for cooperation. The delegation was given a tour of Dafza’s facilities and were also introduced to the free zone’s services and project updates, including presentations on Dubai CommerCity, the region’s first e-commerce dedicated free zone and Dafza’s Halal trade initiatives.
A key point of discussion during the visit was the One Belt, One Road initiative and how it will benefit both UAE and Chinese businesses. The initiative is a $900 billion policy initiated by the Chinese government to build on ancient trade routes from China through central Asia by rail and to Africa and beyond by sea. It covers 69 countries which make up 60 percent of the world’s population and 40 percent of global gross domestic product, GDP.
Commenting on the visit, Jamal bin Marghoob, said, “The UAE and the Republic of China have held strong strategic relations politically, economically and socially for many decades. The UAE re-cognises China as one of the most prominent economic forces in the world. With the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative between China and UAE, Sichuan is at the frontier of China’s future economic plan.”
“We see big opportunities for cooperation between China and the UAE across a range of strategic sectors including trade, logistics, science, technology, tourism and aviation. Dubai is a transportation hub connecting Asia and the rest of the world and we believe that greater collaboration between Sichuan and Dafza will bring significant benefits to businesses on both sides,” added Marghoob.
Dafza has invested in a number of strategic initiatives to help support Chinese businesses set up in the free zone.
These include Dafza signing a new partnership with Liaoning Chamber of Commerce UAE. The MoU will increase the collaboration between the two organisations and will help create new business and investment opportunities with Liaoning province.