Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) has been named by fDi Magazine as 'Free Zone of the Year for SMEs - Middle East & Africa' and also 'Free Zone of the Year for SMEs – UAE in their Middle East Free Zones of the Year rankings and awards for 2014 / 2015.

DMCC is the government of Dubai Authority with a mandate to enhance the emirate’s position as a global gateway for commodity trade and enterprise.

Commenting on the achievement, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the executive chairman, said SMEs were the key driving force behind the growth of the economies of the UAE and the region.

"Receiving two awards is a strong indicator of Dubai’s and DMCC’s leading role in attracting fDi to the region. As the largest and fastest growing free zone in the UAE with over 8,700 member companies, 95 per cent of which are new to Dubai and 70 per cent of which are SMEs, we will continue to ensure businesses have access to everything they require to succeed, trade with confidence and access new markets," he added.

While 70 per cent of today’s members are SMEs representing every sector ranging from Just Falafel – the biggest falafel franchise in the world; to acdc – a LED design and technology provider; to NSI Gulf – a fast growing technology consultant firm and regional leader in Salesforce implementation; through to Unisteel International – the global steel trader; the DMCC Free Zone is also home to multi-nationals such as American Express, Diamdel (DeBeers), Glencore Xstrata, Harley Davidson, Louis Dreyfus, LVMH, Nutricia Danone and Rio Tinto Alcan.

"In our inaugural Free Zone of the Year awards for the Mena, it gives us great pleasure to recognise DMCC as the top free zone in both the UAE and the broader region for attractiveness for SMEs," remarked Courtney Fingar, the editor-in-chief, fDi Magazine.

The UAE sets the standard for free zones worldwide, so excelling in the world's most competitive country for free zones takes "dedication, excellence and a strategic vision as well an eye for detail and strong customer service. The fast rate at which new companies are registering at DMCC is testament to its successful approach despite the many other alternatives that companies moving to Dubai are presented with," he added.-TradeArabia News Service