Economic Zones World - Bi-Monthly Newsletter - Issue 25

PAGE 4DSC, Jafza sign MoU on exchange of statistical informationAgreement to strengthen combined efforts to benefit the Dubai business communityThe agreement aims to strengthen theircombined efforts to benefit the businesscommunity. As per the agreement, theCenter will provide support, guidanceand consultancy in statistics researchand study. Additionally, both partieswill benefit from an updated electronicsystem used by the Center to providecompanies with full and detailedstatistics on all aspects of life in Dubai.Speaking on the agreement, AlMuhairi said, “The Center and Jafzahave collaborated last year on someinitiatives and this MoU enhances ourcooperation. The Center will supportJafza by providing it with the latest dataand information covering all fields in theEmirate through the Electronic system.”Arif Obaid Al Muhairi, Executive Director of Dubai Statistics Center and Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi, Jafza Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer at thesigning in the presence of senior officialsDubai Statistics Center and Jafzahave signed a Memorandum ofUnderstanding recently to enhancecollaboration between the two partiesand to exchange the latest statisticsinformation and data. The MoU wassigned at the DSC headquarters by ArifObaid Al Muhairi, Executive Directorof the Center and Ibrahim MohamedAl Janahi, Jafza Deputy CEO and ChiefCommercial Officer in the presenceof senior management from bothcompanies.The MoU is the result of a long-termcooperation between both sides thatwill contribute towards and impactvarious economic projects handled bythe DSC. Jafza has actively promotedawareness among its companies onthe importance of statistics and datacollection conducted regularly by theCenter.The MoU includes several articles thathighlight the fields and mechanismsof cooperation between both parties.Ibrahim Al Janahi said, “As the oldestand largest free zone in the countryand region, with over 6500 companies,Jafza is in a strategic position to providevaluable data which could positivelyimpact policy-makers and benefit thebusiness environment of Dubai. Weextend our full support to the DSC intheir endeavors to collect accurate andupdated information and data related tobusinesses operating in the Free Zone.”The MoU was signed in the presenceof Tariq Youssef Al Janahi, Director ofDepartment of Corporate Excellenceand Support, Ahmad Al Dashti, Directorof the Department of InformationTechnology Department, and Tariq BinGhalaita, Vice President, Commercialat Jafza.Jafza receives prestigious ISO 27001 certificationImplements best in class information systems, minimizing security risksJafza recently received the prestigiousISO 27001 certification for itsInformation Security ManagementSystem (ISMS). This certificationconfirms the most stringent standardsfor information security managementand is respected and recognized acrossall industries. ISMS is a systematicapproach to managing sensitivecompany information in order toensure the confidentiality, integrityand availability of data pertaining tocustomers, employees and tradingpartners. ISO 27001 is an auditableinternational standard, which defines therequirements for Information SecurityManagement Systems.As part of the ISO 27001 complianceprocess, EZW, parent company of Jafza,has systematically examined informationsecurity risks, taking account of thethreats, vulnerabilities and impact.They then designed and implemented acomprehensive set of controls and otherforms of measures to address those risksthat are deemed unacceptable.Additionally, the company has nowadopted best practice managementprocesses to ensure that the informationsecurity controls continue to meet theorganization’s information securityneeds on an ongoing basis. Periodicsurveillance visits by third party auditorshelp the organization to stay vigilant andensure continued compliance withthe standards.Training sessions for employees relatedto ISMS awareness were also conducted,briefing them on information securitythreats and measures that shouldbe adopted on a continuous basisby individuals in order to minimizeassociated risks.Speaking on the subject, Ibrahim AlJanahi said, “EZW is an organization withcomplex security needs and we are partof an industry that demands protectionof important information assets.Receiving this ISO 27001 certificationconfirms our commitment to providinga safe and secure business environmentfor our clients at all times. We arecontinuously evaluating and enhancingexisting systems to find optimalsolutions in our operations, whichincludes implementing the best availableinformation security infrastructure.”In addition to the ISO 27001 certification,Jafza has also developed a processbased Quality Management Systemmeeting ISO standards which documentsall core business and support processesin the free zone. In 1996 Jafza won ISOaccreditation (ISO 9002:1994) becomingthe first ISO certified free zone in theworld for its Quality ManagementSystem. It was later enhanced to ISO9001:2000 levels in 2001 and the qualitywas actively maintained till 2009 afterwhich it was upgraded to ISO 9001:2008standards.

PAGE 5Etisalat, Jafza enter into strategic collaborationAgreement inked to deliver enhanced telecom services to Jafza customersTalal Al Hashimi, Managing Director, UAE Region, Economic Zones World with Abdulla Hashim,Senior Vice President, Business Solutions, Etisalat at the signing ceremonyEtisalat and Jafza have announced astrategic collaboration aimed to deliverenhanced telecom & InformationCommunication Technology (ICT)services to Jafza customers at the freezone with direct access to Etisalatservices on a priority basis. Thecollaboration will benefit more than6500 companies, employing over139,000 people, currently, in theFree zone.The strategic agreement stipulatesthat Etisalat will work closely with Jafzato create value for its customers andbring all the benefits of enhanced ICTservices to them. Etisalat, throughconstant interaction with JafzaJafza introduces online service for invoice paymentValue-added service to further secure and simplify payment processcustomers, would be able to understandtheir ICT requirements better andprovide customized solutions that willfurther enhance productivity for theseorganizations. Etisalat has also set-up adedicated email to facilitate a seamlessinteraction and provide prompt serviceto Jafza customers.Talal Al Hashimi, Managing Director,UAE Region, Economic Zones World,speaking at the signing said, “Our aim isto provide the most conducive economicconditions to cultivate entrepreneurialambitions. We are an investmentdestination par excellence, with athriving work culture and an enablingIT infrastructure. Our agreement withEtisalat is in line with our objective ofdelivering world class infrastructureto companies who are based in Jafza.This partnership will further augmentthe free zone's reputation as thepremier provider of business servicesfor a diverse range of national andinternational customers who rely on usto create the most attractive investmentopportunities for their business.”Ibrahim Mohammed Al Janahi, JafzaDeputy CEO and Chief CommercialOfficer added, “Etisalat is one of Jafza’skey strategic service partners. Thisagreement not only strengthens ourlong-standing relationship with thetelecommunications provider but givesour 6500-plus customers access tomore sophisticated and differentiatedservice offerings. Providing advancedtechnology infrastructure to clients ispart of our continuous innovation-led,customer-centric strategy. Improvedconnectivity and operational efficiencygives our customers sustainablecompetitive advantages in their businessand we will work closely with Etisalat tomaximise our joint value proposition.”Abdulla Hashim, Senior Vice President,Business Solutions, Etisalat, said, “Ourpartnership with Jafza is a significantmilestone and will pave the way fordelivery of world class communicationservices to the free zone. Our intentionis to work very closely with Jafza tounderstand their needs and help themachieve their business objectives byenhancing their ICT infrastructure,improving operational efficiency,boosting productivity and optimizingcosts through a partnership basedapproach.”“This partnership is part of our longterm strategy aimed at developing acloser relationship with our Small andMedium Business (SMB) customerslocated within specific business zonesacross the country and to deliver thebest in telecom and ICT services toenhance customer satisfaction. The SMBsector is a vital focus area for Etisalatand we are enhancing our ICT offeringsfor the sector to help companies achievehigher productivity and operationalefficiencies. This latest initiative will alsobring more synergies in terms of ICTservices & joint marketing activities withthe Jebel Ali Free Zone,” Hashim added.Jafza has introduced an online servicefor payment of customer invoices. This isa new value-added service to customersintended to simplify invoice paymentsthrough an easy-to-use, secure interfacecovering multiple channels. The service,facilitated through Dubai Trade, theintegrated online portal under DubaiWorld, will enable customers to view allpending invoices and their due datesonline. The new service then allows Jafzacustomers to select specific invoices thatthey would like to pay for and proceed toprocess them.Customers can select their paymentmethod from the various online channelsavailable including Mastercard, Visacard,eDirham and Direct Debit throughCommercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) andEmiratesNBD. The Direct Debit channelwill also include more banks in the nearfuture.Once the online payment is made,the system will apply the amountautomatically to the relevant invoicesselected by the customer. Onlinepayment services have been availableto Jafza customers for topping up theirPortal Deposit and Cash GuaranteeDeposit for over a year now and is apopular method of payment for severalcustomers. This facility is now extendedfor payment against invoices, enhancingcustomer convenience.Ibrahim Mohammed Al Janahicommented on the service saying, “Thenew service is yet another initiativelaunched to ease procedures andincrease operational efficiency for theconvenience of our customers. Theservice is expected to be exceptionallyconvenient, while being fully secure andreliable. We plan to make more servicesavailable online in the future, utilizingJafza’s investments in technology. Weremain committed to offering the bestsolutions possible to facilitate ourcustomer’s businesses.”This service adds to Jafza’scomprehensive existing menu of onlineservices, enabling very high e-Adoptionrates. Earlier this year Jafza launchedits e-License service which has alreadyevoked tremendous response. Over1,000 licenses were renewed onlinewithin the first month of its launch.Ibrahim Al Janahi, Jafza Deputy CEO & ChiefCommercial Officer

PAGE 6Gazeley lays the Cornerstone for Logistics Centre inBavariaOver 10,000 square metres under development for W&M Schenk GmbHFrank Brexel, Project Developer at Gazeley GermanyGmbH, Mr Mathias Schenk, owner of W & M Schenkand Mr Rudi Eck, Mayor of the town.The ten metres high warehouse will be developed ona 2.5 acre site next to the existing premises of W&MSchenk. The new building will be used for handling,repackaging, storing as well as to offer a numberof other value-added services to new and existingcustomers.Frank Brexel commenting on the occasion said, “Weare delighted to support our customer’s continuedgrowth with this state-of-the-art unit.”Mathias Schenk remarked, “The new building whichwill be our fourth distribution centre, plays animportant strategic role in our business plan, andwill initially create 35 full-time jobs, with as manyas 80 new full-time jobs once the premises are fullyoperative.” The storage capacity can be furtherincreased to support future expansion needs of thebusiness.From left to right: Rudi Eck, Mayor of Hassfurt, Mathias Schenk, Owner of W&M Schenk, Frank Brexel, Project Developer Gazeley, GermanyGazeley, Economic Zones World’s leading provider ofsustainable logistics space has laid the cornerstonefor a new logistics warehouse at Hassfurt, Bavaria.Gazeley is currently in the process of creating a stateof-the-artdistribution centre with a total footprint of10,400 sq.m for the textile logistics company, W&MSchenk GmbH.The ceremony marked the start of structuralframework construction and was attended by MrMayor Rudi Eck praised the development and thecreation of new jobs in the area saying, “This isa positive development for the region of LowerFranconia”.The building will be handed over to W&M Schenk inthe spring of 2011.Gazeley Beichen (Tianjin) Project Commences Construction24,000 square metre unit set for completion by mid 20113D masterplan of project at Beichen in Tianjin, China

PAGE 9Nestlé’s AED 500 million manufacturing facility inTechnoPark inaugurated515,000 Square foot facility will serve Nestlé markets across the regionSalma Hareb and Hisham Al Shirawi with HH Sheikh Saeed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HE Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy, HE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem and seniorNestle officialsUnder the patronage of His HighnessSheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid AlMaktoum, Vice President and PrimeMinister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai,HH Sheikh Saeed Bin MohammedBin Rashid Al Maktoum officiallyinaugurated Nestlé Middle East’s newAED 500 million (USD 136 million)manufacturing facility in TechnoParkthis month, marking a significantmilestone in the company’s decadeslonghistory in the region.The inauguration was attended byChief Executive Officer, Nestlé S.A.Paul Bulcke, Frits van Dijk, VicePresident in charge of Zone Asia,Oceania, Africa and Middle East, andYves Manghardt, Chairman and CEO,Nestlé Middle East along with seniorofficials of Economic Zones World(the parent company of TechnoPark)including Hisham Al Shirawi, Chairmanand Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, ChiefExecutive Officer, among others.Speaking at the event, Paul Bulckesaid, “Nestlé has been present in theMiddle East for 75 years, bringingmeaningful value to society at largeby sourcing locally, creating newlocal employment, offering nutritiousproducts and helping in the furtherdevelopment of the region. By openingour new facility in Dubai - our regionalheadquarters - we will be closer toour consumers in the region and canbetter adapt our products to theirneeds and preferences. The MiddleEast region is a very important part ofthe Nestlé business and our continuedcommitment and ongoing investmentsdemonstrate our confidence in theregion.”Salma Hareb wished Nestle on theoccasion, saying, “Congratulationsto Nestle on the opening of theirmanufacturing facility in TechnoPark.This is truly a proud moment whensome of their products that we knowand love become ‘Made in the UAE’,and a major step forward in boostingthe nation’s manufacturing sector.”Spread over an area of 1.02 millionsquare feet, the new 515,000square foot facility specializes inthe manufacturing, canning andpackaging of different Nestlé brandsincluding Nido powder milk and Kit Katchocolate and Nestlé Pure Life bottledwater. With the Middle East identifiedas a region with tremendous growthpotential for Nestlé, the company hasmade sufficient provision to expandthe operations to meet growing marketdemands for the next few years.Currently, the facility employs 555people.“I am extremely proud that the firstnew Nestlé confectionery factory builtin over a decade is here in Dubai. Thisfactory will become the third largestKit Kat plant worldwide and possessesstate-of-the-art technology to makea world class product every hour ofevery day. With such a facility wewill be able to meet the fast risingregional demand and eventuallycontemplate exporting to otherregions. This investment shows theclear commitment of the Nestlé Groupto the expansion of our activities herein the region,” said Yves Manghardt,Chairman and CEO of Nestlé MiddleEast FZE.The new facility also houses Nestlé’sRegional Microbiological Laboratory,which began operations in early2009. The state-of-the-art laboratory,which specializes in the analysis ofsalmonella, serves all Nestlé factoriesin the Middle East and is being usedas a training facility for variousgovernment bodies in the UAE.Further stepping up its R&D initiatives,Nestlé Middle East recently establishedan advanced Sensory Lab Unit forRenovation-innovation of Products inAl Quoz, Dubai. The lab is equippedwith cutting-edge sensory technologyand facilities, and serves as a centerof expertise for sensory profilinganalyses on shelf stable dairyproducts, coffee and confectionery.Nestlé Middle East has invested morethan USD 400 million in the regionsince its formal inception in 1997,owning and operating 17 factories and37 offices, employing more than 7,000people. These capital investmentshave contributed heavily to creatinglocal jobs, enhancing technologicaland manufacturing capabilities,and fostering national economiesaround the region. In 2009, the Nestlébusiness in the region contributedapproximately USD 1.4 billion to theGroup’s turnover.

PAGE 10Japanese Business Council meets with Jafza to enhance traderelationsFurther strengthening of commercial ties between Japan and UAE discussedSenior members of Jafza and the Japanese Business CouncilThe Jafza division of the JapaneseBusiness Council, headed by Mr.Yasuyoshi Matsunaga, ManagingDirector of Toshiba Gulf, recently metwith officials from Jafza to discussfurther expansion of commercial tiesbetween Japan and Dubai and ways toenhance the competitiveness of the freezone for Japanese businesses.The UAE has traditionally proven tobe a preferred business destinationfor Japanese companies looking tobase themselves in the MENA region.Over 40% of Japanese companies inthe region are based in the UAE. Jafzaalone is home to over 107 Japanesecompanies including big names suchas Sony, Hitachi, Toshiba, Panasonic,Nissan, Mitsubishi Motors, Bridgestoneand Fuji Film among many others. Manyof these companies are members of theJapanese Business Council which wasset up in March last year.Jafza has long considered Japan tobe a vital trade partner and has beenconducting periodic road shows andseminars in Japan for almost twodecades working closely with theJapan External Trade Organization(JETRO), Japan Cooperation Centre forthe Middle East (JCCME) among otherorganizations and partners.According to the latest numbers by theDubai office of JETRO, goods worth$22.727 billion (Dh83.45 billion) wereexported from the UAE to Japanin 2009.The UAE imported goods worth$6.497 billion from Japan, mostlycars, machinery, electronic goods,petrochemicals and iron. Japan’s mostpopular export items to the UAE arecars, led by Toyota, and car parts, withthis sector contributing 45 to 50 percent to the trade volume, accordingto JETRO.Jafza companies alone account for asignificant portion of the trade betweenJapan and the UAE, amounting to $2.03billion, making it the 6th largest tradepartner for Jafza. Japanese companiesin Jafza, further, create over 2000 directjob opportunities.Jafza’s meeting with the JapaneseBusiness Council served to re-iterate itscommitment and also to brief Japanesecompanies on detailed updates onthe latest developments in the freezone including improvements toinfrastructure facilities and services thatwill facilitate growth and development.Talal Al Hashimi, Managing Director,UAE Region, Economic Zones Worldsaid, “Jafza has emerged as animportant commercial gateway forJapanese companies, serving keymarkets in the Middle East and NorthAfrica Region. It is a vital profitcentre and an important re-exportcentre for these companies. Thefree zone has consistently sought toprovide a favourable environment toindustrial, trade and logistics sectors.With its continuous upgrades to itsinfrastructure and service offerings,customised investment models,dedicated build-to-suit capability and ahost of other incentives Jafza is a primeinvestment destination.”He also commented that the meetingwas an ideal occasion to not onlyhighlight new offerings at Jafza butalso to explore new opportunitieswith Japan. “Our joint initiatives andefforts will strengthen trade relations,encouraging, facilitating, and openingchannels for other Japanese companieslooking to do business in the region. Weare working closely with the JapaneseBusiness Council on best approachesand practices to stimulate investment.We have plans for more partnerships,road shows, seminars in key marketsand hope to continue to generatesignificant interest from Japanesecompanies eager to set up base here,”he added.Mr. Yasuyoshi Matsunaga, ManagingDirector of Toshiba Gulf and theDirector of the Jafza division of theJapanese Business Council said, “Themeeting was a very fruitful one andwe are very impressed with the newdevelopments in Jafza’s infrastructureand service offerings. The JapaneseBusiness Community’s mandate isto strengthen business relationshipsbetween Japanese and local companiesand organizations. We consider Jafza avaluable partner in the Middle East andlook forward to collaborating with themto facilitate businesses of Japanesecompanies in Dubai and to furtherstimulate trade relations between theeconomies.”

PAGE 11Mobis Parts Middle East FZE remains buoyant despite toughmarket conditionsPosts 22 % increase in revenue in 2009; set to double its growth rate this yearMobis Parts Middle East facility in JafzaMobis Parts Middle East FZE, a fullyowned regional subsidiary of HyundaiMobis, the largest Korean auto partscompany and a part of Hyundai MotorAutomotive Group, has hit the USD 226million mark in 2009, an increase of 22%on its revenue in the preceding year,despite the recession. The companyhas achieved a six fold growth in itsturnover in the last six years. Its revenueduring this period has soared from USD38 million in 2003 to USD 226 millionin 2009, which amounts to an averageannual growth of 32 percent. Further,Mobis has achieved an increase of 50%in its turnover in Q2 of this year. “Goingby the market demand we expect ourrevenue to well exceed USD 300 millionmark this year,” said Hyung Young Lee,Managing Director, Mobis Parts MiddleEast FZE, commenting on the growth ofMobis in the Middle East.“The spectacular growth of Mobisis attributed to the company’s rapidexpansion in the region, growingdemand for genuine spares in themarket and its strategic location inJafza, the Middle East’s largest tradeand redistribution hub offering excellentlogistics with integrated shipping andloading efficiencies, which facilitated usto serve our clients across the regionefficiently,” Lee added.The main goal of Hyundai Mobis in theestablishment of a regional subsidiarywithin the Middle East was to supportand provide a further boost to therapidly growing presence of Hyundai andKia vehicles in the region. Mobis PartsMiddle East has served the company’sprincipal objective very efficiently.Mobis Parts Middle East has helpedHyundai and Kia distributors reducetheir inventories substantially with a96% availability rate, reduced lead timesand enhanced competitiveness, whichultimately provided a major boost totheir sales. Before the establishment ofMobis Parts Middle East Hyundai andKia distributors got their supplies fromKorea, which required them to maintainan inventory for a minimum period ofthree months.from its new 60,000 square metrefacility in Jafza, which comprised a30,000 square metre state-of-the-artlogistics centre and a 2,300 squaremetre office facility on the first floor. Itserved 28 countries in the region. Thecompany started growing at a rapidpace. By 2006 Mobis’ gross revenuereached US$ 105 million, an increase of276% from the revenue of US$ 38 millionin 2003. To meet this progressivelyincreasing demand, Mobis, in 2006,initiated a US$ 12 million expansionplan and added 15,000 square metresof high-tech warehousing space to itsexisting facility. The expansion doubledits storage capacity in Jafza and allowedit to serve its rapidly growing marketsmore efficiently. Mobis has more thandoubled its revenue since 2006 to reach226 million in 2009 as it expanded itsreach to 42 countries in the Middle East,Africa and the CIS, which included morethan 100 Hyundai and Kia distributorsin the region. Even in the economicdownturn, Mobis has maintained itsgrowth momentum in 2009. In 2010the company expects to exceed itsaverage growth rate of 32% by a goodmargin, a plan already off to a start withthe achievement of over 50% growth inits revenues in the first half of the yearcompared with the same period in 2009.Mobis aspires to become one of theMiddle East, Africa and the CIS region’stop five companies in the automotiveparts industry by 2020 and double itsturnover by 2015. With rapidly growingdemand for Hyundai and Kia vehicles inthe region this does not look like abig aim.Hyung Young Lee, Managing Director,Mobis Parts Middle East FZEMobis Parts Middle East FZE wasestablished in Jafza in June 2001. Thecompany started its operations in 2002Inside view of Mobis facility in Jafza

PAGE 12Bulandi Distributors FZE Record over 500 percent growth inrevenues over five yearsJafza based SME eyes a doubling of turnover by 2012Bulandi Distributors FZE, an SME (Smalland Medium Enterprise) specializing inethnic hair care products, has outpacedthe market growth by two and half timesin recession hit 2009. The companyhas recorded an increase of more than30% in its revenue in the year, which is250% more than the estimated marketgrowth in the sector during the period.In the last five years Bulandi has seenmore than a fivefold growth in its annualrevenues increasing from AED 8 millionin 2004 to AED 42 million in 2009.Bulandi’s remarkable growth can beattributed to its total commitment toprovide customers what they need inthe most efficient way. “Our locationin Jafza has enabled us to meet ourdelivery commitments efficientlyallowing us to grow at such a pace,”said Harsha Bagia, Managing Director,Bulandi Distributors FZE, commenting onthe impressive growth of the companyin the last six years. Harsha Bagia, aTanzanian national of Indian origin, is adynamic woman entrepreneur. She wasinstrumental in the establishment ofBuniyad Limited in 1993 in Tanzania andits subsequent success.“African consumers have shown a strongdesire for deep conditioning productsthat will relax and tame unmanageablefrizz. I have tried to understandthe requirement and needs of theconsumers and catered to their needsin the best possible way.“Our focused approach has resulted in agood following of loyal customers whichcontinues to grow as time passes. ThisHarsha Bagia, Managing Director,Bulandi Distributors FZEInside view of Bulandi Distribution Centrehas been one of our major strengthsthat helped us grow at such a fast pace,”she added.Bulandi Distributors FZE had modestbeginnings. The company wasestablished in 2004 in Jafza as a sistercompany of Tanzania based BuniyadLimited, a leading dealer in ethniccosmetic products. Bulandi startedoperations from a custom built 545square metre warehouse with justone agency “Dark & Lovely” hair careproducts, a US brand developedspecially for ethnic population. In lessthan three months the company, withits aggressive marketing and customerfocused approach, established itsfootprint across the UAE. To serve itscustomers more efficiently Bulandiopened a subsidiary “Buland 2 TradingLLC” in Deira in Dubai, a traditionalmarketplace for retail and wholesaletrading in the city. The company addeda few more brands to its portfolio andmoved forward with a vision to evolveinto a market leader. In the very firstyear Bulandi achieved a turnover of AED18 million. It has not looked backever since.Bulandi was established to cater tothe needs and requirements of thepopulation of African descent, initially inthe UAE and the neighboring countries.Soon it expanded its operation toserve traders coming to Dubai fromdifferent parts of the Africa continentto source their requirements. “This wasthe time when the African populationwas finding it hard to get the brandsthey needed. We identified their specificneeds and added the best brands inrespective categories to serve the needsof customers efficiently, on time. Thisremains the core of our marketingstrategy,” Harsha said. “We have addedmore than 30 brands since then withmore than 2,000 SKUs in differentproduct categories.”To pursue its vision unhindered HarshaBagia acquired 100% equity in BulandiDistributors FZE in early 2008 and thecompany became an independent entity.Bulandi today deals in skin care andsalon equipment besides hair careproducts which remain its mainstay.The company follows a six point growthstrategy focused on – availability– awareness – quality – good price– service and – satisfaction. Harshacommenting on the company’s keystrategic focus said: “We makeconcerted efforts to ensure theavailability of all the products we dealin to meet customer demands at thefastest pace. The awareness aboutour products is done through focusedadvertising campaigns in relevantmedia and other modules includingdirect mailers. To ensure quality wedeal in only those brands which haveimpeccable track record. We maintainunbeatable prices by highly efficientoperations and leveraging our capabilityto buy large quantities. To be able tooffer guaranteed satisfaction to ourcustomers we stay in touch with globaltrends and market demands and ensureavailability of latest products.”To meet its massive growth Bulandileased a 500 square metre warehousein 2006 in Al Quoz in Dubai to stockproducts for the local markets and 3custom built warehouses of 545 squaremetres each in Jafza in early 2010 for itsglobal operations.Bulandi expects its turnover in 2010to reach close to AED 60 million whichwill be an increase of 40% over itsrevenue in 2009. “We are aiming toachieve AED 100 million in revenue by2012 end. All our efforts are gearedtowards securing this formidable goal,which includes quadrupling our storagecapacity in Jafza, the backbone of ourimpressive growth so far,” said Harshaspeaking on its growth plan for theyears ahead. “We will be expanding ourprofile by including other segments incosmetic industry and more brands inthe existing categories. We want to be asingle source of all cosmetics for ethnicconsumers in the GCC and Africa,”Harsha asserts.

PAGE 13SOME IMPORTANT DELEGATIONS in NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2010A two member delegation from Swedish Embassy in the UAE comprising HE MagnusScholdtz, Ambassador and Johan Murray, Counsellor visited Jafza recently. They werereceived by Ibrahim Al Janahi, Adil Al Zarouni, Khadija Al Bastaki and Mansoor Al Bastakiat the free zone.HE the Consul General of Japan recently visited Jafza to explore ways to furtherstrengthen their ties with the free zone. He was received by Ibrahim Al Janahi at the freezone. Al Janahi briefed the guest on new developments at Jafza.A 13 member senior Government delegation from Western Cape, South Africa visited Jafzaon December 14. The delegation led by the Premier of the Western Cape was received byAdil Al Zarouni and Khadija Al Bastaki at the free zone.A high power Government delegation from Turkey visited Jafza on November 30 to exploretrade and investment opportunities. They were received by Adil Al Zarouni at the free zone.Al Zarouni briefed the delegates on unique Jafza offerings and value propositions.A six member business delegation recently visited Jafza on familiarization trip. They werereceived by Khadija Al Bastaki at the free zone. Khadija briefed the delegation on salientfeatures and unique strengths of the free zone.A 16 member business delegation from Fars province of Iran visited Jafza on November24 to explore business opportunities. They were received by senior Jafza officials at thefree zone, who briefed them on strategic advantages of being in the free zone.

PAGE 14Market SpotlightThe State of QatarQatar (State of Qatar) is officiallyan emirate in the Middle East. As apeninsula on the northeastern coast ofthe much larger Arabian Peninsula, itshares borders only with Saudi Arabiato the south. A strait of the Arabian Gulfseparates Qatar from the nearby islandnation of Bahrain.Qatar has been ruled by the al-Thanifamily since the mid-19th centuryand has since transformed itself froma primarily pearling nation into anindependent state with significant oiland natural gas revenues. It currentlyhas the third largest gas reserves inthe world.Qatar has experienced rapid economicgrowth over the last few years on theback of high oil prices, and in 2008posted its eighth consecutive budgetsurplus. Economic policy is focused ondeveloping Qatar's natural gas reservesand increasing private and foreigninvestment in non-energy sectors, butoil and gas still account for more than50% of GDP, roughly 85% of exportearnings, and 70% of governmentrevenues. Oil and gas have made Qatarthe second highest per-capita incomecountry and one of the world's fastestgrowing. Proven oil reserves of 15 billionbarrels should enable continued outputat current levels for 37 years.Led by a bold, reformist emir, Qatarhas been transformed into the world’slargest exporter of liquefied natural gas.Part of the earnings have been investedoverseas, primarily through a $85 billionsovereign wealth fund established sevenyears ago to save for future generations.While oil and gas will probably remainthe backbone of Qatar’s economy forsome time to come, the country seeksto stimulate the private sector anddevelop a “knowledge economy”. In2004, it established the Qatar Science& Technology Park to attract and servetechnology-based companies andentrepreneurs, from overseas and withinQatar. More recently, with the supportof the Qatar Foundation, some majorAmerican universities have openedbranch campuses in Education City,Qatar. These include, among others:Carnegie Mellon UniversityGeorgetown University School ofForeign ServiceTexas A&M UniversityVirginia Commonwealth UniversitySchool of the ArtsCornell University’s Weill CornellMedical CollegeNorthwestern UniversityIn 2009, the Qatar Foundation launchedthe World Innovation Summit forEducation – WISE – a global forumthat brought together educationstakeholders, opinion leaders anddecision makers from all over the worldto discuss educational issues. The firstedition was held in Doha in November2009.Qatar invests heavily in infrastructure,notably sports related. For the 15thAsian Games in Doha, it establishedDoha Sports City, consisting of Khalifastadium, the Aspire Sports Academy,aquatic centres, exhibition centres andmany other sports related buildingsand centres. And most currently, it willbecome the first Middle Eastern hostof the World Cup after FIFA announcedthe 2022 tournament will be held inthe country. They have won the honourbeating off the rival bids from the UnitedStates, Australia, South Korea and Japan.Over the years, Qatar has proven to bea clever purchaser of assets, particularlythose in distress. They helped saveBarclays, UK and Switzerland’s CreditSuisse at the start of the financial crisis,stepping in with a $5 billion deal forinvestments into Greece. Last year theyput $10 billion into Volkswagen andPorche, as well as bought Harrods.The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)provides financial institutions with worldclass services in investment, margin andno-interest loans, and capital support.These platforms are situated in aneconomy founded on the developmentof its hydrocarbons resources,specifically its exportation of petroleum.It has been created with a long termFull nameperspective to support the developmentof Qatar and the wider region, developlocal and regional markets, andstrengthen the links between the energybased economies and global financialmarkets.Apart from Qatar itself, which needs toraise capital to finance projects of morethan $130 billion, the QFC also providesa conduit for financial institutions toaccess nearly $1.0 trillion of investmentswhich stretch across the GCC as a wholeover the next decade.On the communication front, Al Jazeera,(“The Peninsula”) is a television networkheadquartered in Doha, Qatar. Al Jazeerainitially launched as an Arabic news andcurrent affairs satellite TV channel ofthe same name, but has since expandedinto a network of several specialty TVchannels.Qatar and the UAETrade exchange between Qatar and theUnited Arab Emirates reached AED 631million in the month of August 2010.This accounts for 14 percent of the totaltrade of the GCC which was AED 4.6billion, according to a report issued bythe Unified Customs Authority in theEmirates.Re-export volumes between Qatar andEmirates totalled AED 382 million, whichis 19 percent of total re-exports fromthe Emirates. Emirates exports to Qatarwere worth AED 172 million, accountingfor 18 percent of total exports, whileimports from Qatar were AED 77 million,accounting for 5 percent of the totalimports.Quick FactsThe State of QatarPopulation 1.5 million (UN, 2010)CapitalAreaMajor languageMajor religionLife expectancyMonetary unitMain exportGNI per capitaDoha11,437 sq km (4,416 sq miles)ArabicIslam76 years (men), 78 years (women) (UN)1 Riyal = 100 dirhamsOil, gasn/a

PAGE 15Senior EZW Executive achieves a record feat; scalesKilimanjaro in less than 24 hoursRaises UAE flag on the mountain topAli Dawood, Senior Vice President,Emerging Business Units, EconomicZones World has created a history onceagain. Ali accompanied by his friendNasser Al Khaja has conquered Africa’shighest peak in less than twenty fourhours, creating a record. With thisfeat the two Emiratis became the firstUAE nationals to scale the Uhuru Peak,Kilimanjoro summit at an altitude of5,681 metre, in just one day. On hislast climb Ali took 2 ½ days to reachthe peak. This was his fourth trip to themountain.On reaching the peak Ali and Al Khajaraised UAE flag on the mountain top.The duo has dedicated their rareachievement to the UAE leaders HisHighness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed,President of the UAE and Ruler ofAbu Dhabi and His Highness SheikhMohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Vice President and Prime Minister of UAEand Ruler of Dubai.“By unfurling the UAE flag onKilimanjaro we wanted to send amessage to all Emiratis that we canall do anything we set our heartson, and nothing is impossible,” saidAli commenting on their symbolicachievement.Mount Kilimanjaro is located innortheast Tanzania and is the highestpeak in Africa.Ali commenting on the meticulouspreparations leading up to the climbsaid “The climb involves vigoroustraining. We climbed 35 floors of stairs10 times daily with cardio trainingconsisting of regular walking to prepareAli Dawood, Senior Vice President, EBU, Economic Zones World and Al Khaja at the Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaroourselves for the steady endurance theclimb demands.”"Planning the trek was very importantbecause we needed to get permissionfirst from the park's warden so that wecould start at 6am instead of 9am likeeverybody else. Otherwise we wouldn'thave been able to make it in that recordof time. Every Friday and Saturday,Nasser and I would go on the treadmillat an upward slope for three hours inthe morning and once in the afternoon,and cover 70 kilometres every week."Ali, who played squash for the UAEnational team in 1999, is an avidsportsman. "I have sports in my bloodand I have to work out every day,” Alisaid. Recounting his trek, he explainedthat he started out the route at MaranguGate which then goes through arainforest and up to Manadra Hut. “Wethen took the Alpine route, which is veryhard work, because the hills are verysteep,” he said, emphasizing that theymanaged to complete the first leg of thetrek in one hour and 45 minutes insteadof the usual three hours.“At this point we were 4,700 metresabove sea level and it was very cold. Itwas very slippery and snowing heavily,and we had to drink fluids constantlyand eat a light lunch. But we managedto find the strength in ourselves tocontinue.”The team then went on from Mandara toHorombo in four hours instead of fivehours where they then slept the night,before reaching Gilman's point, whichis a 45 minute walk from their finaldestination of Uhuru Peak.CorrigendumIn issue 24, there was an error onthe photo caption under the firstpicture of the delegation news.The right photo caption for thepicture is as follows: “Senior Jafzaofficials with Yukihiko Murakami,Managing Officer of DENSO’sAftermarket Sales Group and histeam in Jafza.”The error is regretted. - Editor4 1 3 85 67 36 18 45 27 18 42 9 6 59 4 6 1 3 7 5 2 81 7 3 8 2 5 6 4 95 8 2 9 6 4 1 7 33 2 7 6 4 1 9 8 58 6 5 3 7 9 2 1 44 9 1 5 8 2 3 6 77 1 9 2 5 8 4 3 66 5 8 4 1 3 7 9 22 3 4 7 9 6 8 5 1