The automotive sector in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) continues to ‎post impressive growth even as the total light vehicle sales in the region is set to reach 4.4 million in the next four years from 3.2 ‎million last year.

Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), the flagship UAE trade and logistics hub for the Middle East region including West Asia, the CIS, Africa and the Indian subcontinent, is instrumental in this growth saga.

It is currently home to over 620 automotive companies which includes global names such as Honda, Nissan, Ford, GM, Daimler & Chrysler, Caterplllar, Mobis and Schaeffler among others.

The free zone's automotive sector had generated trade worth $5 billion last year, said industry experts.

Jafza will be out in force at the Automechanika Frankfurt 2016, the international trade fair for sector parts, equipment and service suppliers, being held from September 13 to 17 at Messe Frankfurt Exhibition in Germany.

As the Middle East’s trade and logistics hub, Jafza will aim to attract the auto industry majors who are interested in expanding their presence in the region.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the group chairman and chief executive of DP World and chairman of ‎Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, ‎said the MEA automotive sector has registered spectacular growth  with global brands keen ‎to be a part of this success by increasing their footprint across the region.‎

Calling upon European multinationals in the auto sector to set up base in Jafza, Bin Sulayem said Jafza was the only regional trade and logistics hub in the world located between a world-class seaport and an international airport.

“The dynamic growth in the sector reflects the bright prospects for the industry over ‎the next few years . The buoyant mood in the auto sector in the GCC and Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region offer long-term growth opportunities to Jafza-based companies as well as multinationals ‎who want to capitalise on the world’s most attractive auto industry market,” he added.

Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi, the deputy chief executive and chief commercial officer of Jafza, pointed out that the automotive sector was one of the most dynamic and innovation driven in Jafza.

As per a Frost & Sullivan report, the number of vehicles on the roads in Mena region is forecast to rise to 44.5 million over the next four years.

This growth is expected to drive demand for parts and ‎accessories with sales in 2020 projected to reach $17.2 billion ‎compared to $12.98 billion in 2015, stated Al Janahi.

According to him, the free zone will organise a special Jafza Pavilion at the event providing its companies a base to network and get more brand exposure.

Leading names in the pavilion include Al Shamali Auto Parts, Apex of Gulf, Auto Parts East, Rolman World, Hella Middle East, Mineral Circles Bearings, KoKoRo Auto Parts, ATS International and Ghassan Aboud General Trading, he added.-TradeArabia News Service