carving a brighter tomorrow, together - Jebel Ali Free Zone

PAGE 11Chinese Vice Premier Visits JafzaHolds talks with officials to strengthen bilateral commercial linksIbrahim Al Janahi welcomes H.E. Li Ke-Qiang, First Vice-Premier, People’s Republic of China to JafzaA high-profile, 40-member delegationfrom China led by His ExcellencyLi Ke-Qiang, First Vice-Premier, recentlyvisited Jafza. They held talks with seniorofficials to strengthen the businesslinkages between China, one of theworld’s top manufacturing centresand Jafza, the Middle East’s trade andlogistics hub.Ibrahim Al Janahi, Senior Vice Presidentof Commercial Sales at Jafza, togetherwith other senior officials from thefree zone and the port, received thedistinguished guests. The visit, alongwith discussions, reflected the strongand continuously growing economic tiesbetween China and Dubai in which thefree zone plays a major role.The delegation, which included seniorministers and government officials,was provided with a detailed briefingon the free zone’s operations, withparticular emphasis on the services andincentives Jafza offers to its clients.The discussions covered areas ofmutual interest, prospects of furtherstrengthening ties, and also thesuccessful operation of Chinese firmsbased in the free zone.China is one of Dubai’s top tradingpartners and is also an importantdestination for Dubai World’s overseasinvestments. Dubai World is the parentorganisation of Economic Zones World.Jafza handles a large part of the tradebetween the two economies and is alsohome to more than 800 successfulChinese firms.In addition, a tour of the free zone wasorganised for the visiting VIP delegationwhich also comprised You Quan, DeputySecretary General of the State Council,Wang Guangya, Vice Minister of ForeignAffairs, Zhang Guobao, Vice Ministerof National Development and ReformCommission, Gao Yusheng, ChineseAmbassador to the UAE, Gao You Zhen,Chinese Consul General, Gao Hucheng,Vice Minister of Commerce, Liu Shiyu,Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank ofChina, and Ning Jizhe, Deputy Director ofthe Research Office of the State Council.The delegation was highy impressedwith the quality of infrastructurefacilities available at Jafza, including theoutstanding calibre of customer service.China achieved the top position amongDubai’s trading partners for importin 2008, with AED 57 billion worth ofgoods imported during the year.China also topped the list in non-oilimports through free zones, whichstood at AED 28 billion.