DAFZ generates investment opportunities for Japanese businesses

Japanese companies represent 33 per cent of all Asian business based in Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ), with expectations this number will increase to around 36 per cent by the end of 2012. To address the growing bilateral relations between Japan and the UAE, the Freezone held a number of business seminars in Japan last week. Taking place in Tokyo and Nagoya, these seminars discussed economic areas of opportunities between the countries and the ways in which they can be maximised over the coming years. As a significant contributor to the UAE’s GDP and with a strong commitment to driving international investment, the Freezone put forward its position in facilitating trade relations and supporting international companies’ growth in the UAE. In Tokyo, a vast number of guests attended the event, which was supported by the UAE Embassy, Japan Co-operation Center for the Middle East (JCCME) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). The UAE Ambassador to Japan, Saeed Ali Al-Nowais delivered a keynote speech to open the seminar, then Taku Miyazaki, deputy director of JETRO, presented on ‘Business Opportunity in the Middle East and Northern Africa and the role of Dubai’. He was followed by Dubai Airport Freezone Authority’s (DAFZA) Senior Director of Sales, Mohammed Suwailem, who discussed specific business opportunities at the Freezone, brought to life by DAFZA tenant, Sumitomo Corporation. The seminar in Nagoya is the second organised by DAFZA, also supported by the UAE Embassy, JETRO and JCCME as well as the Nagoya Chamber of Commerce. To a significant number of business professionals, Miyazaki again delivered his presentation on business in Mena, followed by Jamal Bin Marghoob, Director of DAFZA’s Marketing and Corporate Communications taking guests through ‘Business Opportunities at DAFZA,’ with a personal account from DAFZA tenant, Toyota Automobile Corporation. Japanese imports from the GCC have increased by more than 40 per cent collectively over the past two years. The UAE has been one of Japan’s key suppliers of crude oil and both countries are currently in the process of working towards a mutually beneficial future through their common interest in renewable energy. Jamal Bin Marghoob, Acting Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications Department at DAFZ, said: “The Freezone’s seminars in Japan will work to strengthen the existing relationship.” From gulftoday