Dubai – The Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates saw USD 80.2 billion in non-oil-related deals last year, at 27.9 million tons handled. The amount of goods handled was up 17% year-on-year, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported last Sunday (13).
Jafza is a subsidiary of DP World, the holding company in charge of the eponymous Dubai-based, internationally-active ports operator. Jafza comprises the Jebel Ali Port, which is one of the region’s premier shipping facilities.
“The value and volume of trade through Jafza underlines the strength of the national economy and its ability to adapt to global trading conditions, create investment opportunities and open up new markets to exports from the UAE,” WAM quoted DP World chairman and CEO Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem as saying.
China was Jafza’s biggest trading partner in 2016 at USD 11.3 billion in deals. Several Chinese companies operating in Dubai rely on the free zone’s logistics to re-export their goods. The second biggest partner was Saudi Arabia at USD 7 billion in deals. Vietnam came in third at USD 4.3 billion, with the USA following suit at USD 3.7 billion.
Machinery, electronics and electrical goods accounted for 49% of trade at Jafza. Petrochemicals, oil and gas products made up 16% of trade, with food and fast-moving consumer goods at 8%, textiles and clothing at 7%, and automotive and spare parts at 6%.
Trade with Asia and the Pacific reached USD 32.4 billion, followed by the Middle East at USD 27.2 billion, Europe at USD 9.9 billion, the Americas at USD 5.5 billion and Africa at USD 5 billion.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
