Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and pharmaceutical companies based in Jafza generated trade worth Dh13.3 billion ($3.6 billion) in 2010, compared to Dh2.8 billion in 2001, marking an annual growth rate of 20 per cent.

The figures reflect trade generated by sales in food products, toiletries, cosmetics, pharma products and other similar goods.

Jafza officials announced these figures at the sixth Strategic Customer Forum held specifically for Free Zone customers in the FMCG and pharmaceutical sectors.

In 2000 there were 105 companies in the FMCG segment operating in Jafza. That number has since grown rapidly to 444 companies in July 2011.The number of pharmaceutical companies during the same period has grown more than four folds rising from 59 in 2000 to 259 in July, 2011.

Talal Al Hashimi, managing director, EZW, UAE region, said: “The consumer market in the region is still growing, in line with growing demand and changing lifestyles despite the challenging market conditions and the economic downturn.”

“The industry specific businesses based in Jafza have shown an impressive growth in 2010 after a slowdown in 2008 and 2009 and we are keen to help them maintain this momentum. The goal of this Strategic Customer Forum is to facilitate communication across the FMCG community and to share industry best practices.”

“We are always learning from our clients, which enable us to develop new policies, streamline procedures, add new services and facilities and enhance existing ones. The Strategic Customer Forum creates an interactive environment to bolster this learning,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service