Business Bureau, Gulf Today

Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority (Dafza), announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the  Federation Israeli Chambers of Commerce (FICC), to define frameworks for bilateral cooperation between the two sides in the field of encouraging and supporting Israeli companies to establish their businesses and take advantage of commercial and investment opportunities and incentives.

They were presented by the Dubai Airport Free Zone, during a virtual ceremony held remotely, in the presence of Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of the Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority, and Uriel Lynn, President of the Federation Israeli Chambers of Commerce.

Through the memorandum, Dafza will promote the emirate of Dubai as a global trade centre. A stimulating business environment for Israeli companies, to introduce them to the nature of business and investment opportunities that they can benefit from through several joint initiatives that will be organised in cooperation with the FICC, which serves as roof organisation to over 5000 businesses and organizations operating in more than 120 divisions, for what Dafza represents as an ideal location for business growth at the regional level and the Emirate of Dubai as a platform to enable Israeli companies to expand and reach the Asian and Middle Eastern markets through the air logistics port of Dubai International Airport.

Dafza will provide the companies of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce with incentive offers to establish businesses and integrated services in this context, by supporting startups, as Israel is the second incubator for emerging companies in the world, in addition to e-commerce companies that will benefit from the free zone specialized in e-commerce ‘Dubai Commercity’, which will enable them to gain access to the different e-commerce system in the emirate with competitive incentives agreed upon by both sides.

Also, the two parties will cooperate in the field of exchanging information and experiences to achieve common goals, in a way that contributes to introducing the companies of the two countries to the vital business environment for establishing and developing their business, in addition to promoting the services and facilities provided by Dafza and FICC.

Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, Director General of Dubai Airport Freezone Authority, affirmed that this agreement reinforces the commitment of Dafza as a vital tributary to the growth of the economy of the UAE in general and the Emirate of Dubai in particular, given its position as a global destination for business growth and prosperity and a vital engine for the economy of the Emirate of Dubai. In line with the strategic objectives of the Emirate of Dubai aimed at enhancing the contribution of non-oil sectors to the emirate’s GDP.

Al Zarooni added, “Dafza enjoys a strategic location that makes it a gateway to Asian markets, as it will redirect trade movement smoothly, faster and more efficiently to those markets through the emirate of Dubai, which provides important commercial opportunities for Israeli companies.” The Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority seeks to attract more foreign investments and support them, as this agreement emphasizes the role of Dafza in encouraging companies from various sectors to launch and expand their business in Dubai by providing all facilities, competitive incentives, and other services that reflect Dubai’s leadership in the business scene at the regional and global level.

This is what Israeli companies can benefit from, supported by the free zone site next to one of the busiest airports in the world. Adv. Uriel Lynn, President of the Israeli Federation Israeli Chambers of Commerce, said: “The signing of the MoU with Dafza- Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority is a historic event that will go down in history as an example what can be achieved in our world if 2 countries are bent on creating more prosperity for their people. It will be a mutually advantageous for Dubai and the Israeli business community, as more business will utilize the developed facilities and services in Dafza, and create a bridgehead for Israeli business for enhancing its foreign trade in products and services.

The message of peace will take a form of working together for the people of both countries.” It is noteworthy that this cooperation between both parties will enhance the process of supporting the business of many major targeted industries, such as logistics, technology, and electronics, in addition to the precious stones and metals industry, the agricultural industry, the pharmaceutical, and medical equipment industries, and areas of research and development.

In 2019 machinery and electrical and electronic equipment ranked first with 55% of the total foreign trade in 2019, with a value of Dhs37.4 billion for imports and Dhs53 billion for exports and re-exports.