Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), a DP World Company and the UAE’s flagship trade and logistics hub for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, has posted a 22.5 per cent growth in foreign companies from the Food and Beverage Sector (F&B) — rising from 480 companies in 2015 to 588 last year.

Jafza said it will be at the Gulfood Exhibition meeting some of the leading companies from the F&B sector who are planning to locate in the region.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO  of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation underlined the increasing role of the F&B industry in the UAE in driving economic growth and in addressing the food requirements of regional markets.

"The vision of our wise leadership to make Dubai as the Global Islamic Economic Capital provides a major boost to our economy by attracting foreign investment, especially those that are Halal food related. The Dubai Industrial Strategy complements the competiveness of the food industry where local companies can partner global counterparts to increase the emirate’s exports," remarked Bin Sulayem.

"We are also focused on research and development in the industry to develop new products and commodities that will suit different tastes and attract consumers," he stated.

Bin Sulayem pointed out that of the F&B companies based in Jafza, 57 per cent were from the Middle East region, 18 per cent from Asia-Pacific, 13 per cent from Europe, eight per cent from the Americas and four per cent from Africa.

"The importance of Jafza as a preferred destination is apparent from the high occupancy rate in  facilities, ranging from plots of land and warehouses top  showrooms and offices dedicated to the F&B industry, spread over 1.67 million sq m," he stated.

Bin Sulayem, said Gulfood is an annual event that brings together local and international leaders of the F&B industry under one roof and is a vital platform to meet and discuss cooperation and the investment plans of companies in the UAE, Middle East and Africa.

"Jafza is keen to meet manufacturers, wholesalers, packaging and logistics companies that are looking to reach out to new and emerging markets and benefit from our modern infrastructure and the highly efficient logistics network that will help enable the support and supply process," he added.-TradeArabia News Service