Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), which is marking its 40th anniversary this year, has seen trade with China more than double in volume and value since 2020, with the UAE serving as a key gateway for Chinese exports to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
DP World's flagship free zone in Dubai has become a key hub for Chinese companies expanding their global footprint. Jafza is now home to 450 Chinese companies, employing over 1,500 people and spanning sectors like automotive, retail, machinery and equipment. These include 11 Fortune 500 companies, reflecting the depth of commercial engagement between the two countries.
His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & CEO, DP World, said: "The UAE and China have both reaped the benefits of strong trade infrastructure and free zones in recent years. In today's unpredictable global climate, free zones offer economic stability, business continuity, and efficient trade facilitation. At DP World, our model is built on collaboration with governments and industry, and that is exactly what we've achieved with our Chinese partners over the years. They've had a big role to play in our success over the last four decades and we look forward to strengthening this further."
2024 marked 40 years of diplomatic relations between China and the UAE. Today, the UAE is China's largest trading partner and supports the broader goals of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to enhance trade routes and economic cooperation across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The two countries aim to hit $200 billion in bilateral trade by 2030.
Jafza is seamless integrated with Jebel Ali Port, which provides 20 weekly services to 16 ports across China. Together they form a vital link in the growing automotive, spare parts and aftermarket trade between the two countries. Leveraging Dubai's role as the largest trade hub in the Middle East and China's status as a leading automotive exporter, the Jafza ecosystem supports the growing Ro-Ro trade volume between the two regions. Last year, Jebel Ali Port handled over 960,000 vehicles, with China being the largest automotive trade partner.
Established in 1985, Jafza has attracted over $30 billion in foreign investment over the last two decades, and created millions of jobs, both directly and indirectly. It has also recorded a 17% year-on-year growth in new business registrations, reinforcing its reputation as a top destination for international manufacturers and exporters.
Today, Jafza supports nearly 11,000 companies from 157 countries and is integral to Dubai's vision of being a global trade hub. Its model has been replicated across several strategic locations globally by DP World, including in Egypt, India and Somaliland.
The Free Zone, in partnership with Jebel Ali Port, continues to serve as a multimodal logistics ecosystem connecting over 3.5 billion consumers.