STRATEGY, DRIVE, INNOVATION: THE SECRET BEHIND

Compliance in Jafza: towards a secure business environment

THE JEBEL ALI FREE ZONE IS ONE OF THE LARGEST FREE ZONES IN THE WORLD, WITH A TOTAL OF 9,000 COMPANIES IN A VARIETY FIELDS. IN ITS RELENTLESS PURSUIT TO PROVIDE BUSINESS WITH THE BEST SERVICES IN LINE WITH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL LAWS, RULES, AND BEST PRACTICES, JAFZA HAS ESTABLISHED A CLEAR AND DEFINED FRAMEWORK OF COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT ALL ITS OPERATIONS COMPLY WITH RELEVANT LAWS AND LEGISLATIONS.

Compliance is an essential and important part of any business, regardless of what sector the company is operating in. The purpose of compliance is to adhere to both internal policies and procedures as well as governmental laws. Implementing compliance procedures protects your company’s reputational risk, improves your company’s vision and value, and helps prevent and detect violations of rules. Non-compliance with the standards set by law would lead to fines and penalties, as stipulated for in the applicable laws.

Manual of Compliance Having a solid compliance manual that all stakeholders and employees follow will help you avoid fraud, waste, discrimination, and other issues that could jeopardize your company. Your company’s compliance manual should include all compliance practices relevant to the company’s entire scope, such as the management of external regulations and internal policies, as well as an extensive employee training program. The company compliance manual will ensure that all departments and employees collaborate in order to meet company and legal requirements. This will reduce the likelihood of major problems or violations. An effective manual improves all levels of communication and interaction between management and employees in a company. The following items should be included in the compliance manual:

• Creation, implementation, revision, and delivery processes. • Revision of compliance policies in accordance with any new or updated regulations. • All members of the company should be aware of all the rules and laws that govern how business is done.

Compliance Procedures in JAFZA To comply with UAE government rules for regulating compliance procedures, “Cabinet Resolution No. 58 of 2020 regarding the procedures of the ultimate beneficiary owner “UBO” and Cabinet Resolution No. 53 of 2021 regarding administrative penalties for Resolution No. 58 violators,” Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) announced that UBO registration controls would be implemented for licensed companies in the free zone. With this done, more than 9,000 companies registered in Jafza, and offshore companies can work in a safe environment.

Jafza sends out bulletins and circulars to clients regularly about compliance procedures and any changes related to.

The Compliance Department of Jebel Ali Free Zone works to identify and prevent the occurrence of regulatory risks for registered companies as well as their directors and employees by examining and auditing the identities of the owners and owners of companies and their suitability with Jafza’s terms and conditions. It also provides guidance on how to manage and resolve these risks in order to protect firms from them through effective procedural mechanisms and instructions, such as frequent monitoring and inspection, periodic audits, and clarification of the procedures followed.

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The client submits all the 3The customer provides copies The customer submits Jafza documents required by the Compliance Department.

If the customer is a 6If any additional information The Compliance Department branch of a company, the customer must provide the commercial license of the parent company. of the passport, the ultimate beneficiary form, and the DMS Jafza application. or documents are required, such requirements must be submitted by the customer. registration application and a Know Your Customer form (KYC), with all data filled in. provides all information about the company's structure, legal form, ultimate beneficiary owner model, and KYC.

Violations of the compliance rules & regulations In case of violation of the provisions of Cabinet Resolution No. 53, the penalties stated in the resolution will be imposed. During periodic companies’ inspections, the Compliance Department conducts a comprehensive investigation in the event of suspected activity such as money laundering or terrorist activities, and if this is proven, the Financial Intelligence Unit is notified to take the necessary action. Otherwise, the company is classified as high-risk, and close and continuous monitoring procedures are initiated in order to achieve full compliance.

Indoguna Productions: The masters of rich taste halal food products

DISTRIBUTING DELICIOUS, SUPERIOR-QUALITY MEAT AND VEGAN PRODUCTS TO THE UAE AND THE WIDER GCC, INDOGUNA PRODUCTIONS HAS BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH ‘QUALITY’ IN THE F&B INDUSTRY.

100% halal

meat and vegan products

ARNAUD THULLIEZ CEO INDOGUNA PRODUCTIONS

SDFA-approved and ESMA-certified

61% revenue

growth in 2021 Establishing a brand in the halal meat and vegan products sector is a huge challenge. However, Indoguna Productions opened its facility in Jafza to become one of the most wellknown brands for its delectable lines of meat and plant-based products that use the best ingredients and infuse them with the company’s deep-running passion for great food.

We are extremely passionate about the quality of our food products, and go above and beyond to exceed consumer expectations.”

The company’s halal food manufacturing plant boasts the highest standards in food hygiene and quality in Jafza. Arnaud Thulliez, CEO, Indoguna Productions, comes from a culinary background, understands what goes into the making of extraordinary food, and has extensive experience with Michelin-Star restaurants and 5-star hotels around the world.

During his exclusive interview with the Zone, Arnaud shared insights into how the company became a fast-growing convenience food producer and distributor in the UAE and beyond.

Attention to detail and dedication to quality The Carne Meats butchery and charcuterie range of products are handcrafted works of art, known for being exquisite in taste. However, it’s not just the meat that Indoguna Productions is known for, it’s also their vegan and plant-based product line, Arlene, which has won the hearts of people around the world.

“Our products are perfect for all food aficionados, including vegan, vegetarian, as well as meat lovers.” The company is known in the retail industry for going above and beyond to exceed customer expectations. “We like to work closely with our customers, and offer tasting opportunities to clients to ensure that the taste of our products meets their expectations before they make a purchase.”

What makes them different from other food producers is the quality of the raw ingredients used. Their specialty, however, is air-dried meat. The absence of water creates an environment that prevents bacteria from growing, making the meat healthy and delicious to consume. “The seasoning used to create these masterpieces as well as the equipment is imported from Europe, while our dry meat is produced right here in Dubai. We are 100 per cent halal, ESMA certified, and SFDA-approved.”

Indoguna products aren’t just consumed in the UAE but are also loved by customers in Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Currently, Indoguna Productions is exploring opportunities to get a stronger foothold in France, Canada, and Australia, where their vegan product line, Arlene, is expected to gain wide appeal.

Sustainable development Apart from creating exceptional quality products for the F&B industry, the company is doing its part to reduce its carbon footprint. “We have implemented a wastewater treatment plant that allows us to regenerate water and use it to make our facilities greener.” They also use LED lights throughout their factories to reduce power consumption and are installing solar panels to utilize more sustainable means of energy.

Success in the UAE Today, Indoguna products are being distributed across several retail chains in the UAE including Waitrose, Kibsons, and Spinneys. The company also produces OEM and private labels with several brands in the region to provide innovative solutions that push the entire industry forward.

Despite its exceptional success trajectory, Indoguna Productions continue to create benchmark solutions for the industry. More recently, they have introduced a consultancy program where the company enables clients to build top-rated facilities from the ground up. Through this program, Indoguna helps its clients fulfill the requirements of various local authorities, secure properties, source the right equipment, and supports them throughout the implementation phase. The solution enables customers to go straight to the market with their products and reach profitability faster.

Indoguna Productions is also providing central kitchen solutions to restaurant chains so quality products can be standardised in one facility, and distributed throughout to facilitate the expansion of the group while maintaining quality and consistency in food flavor and standards.

According to Arnaud, the company owes a big part of its success to Jafza. “Being located inside Jafza is one of our biggest benefits. We benefit massively from the access and convenience of being so close to a major port. This enables us to clear containers and export goods efficiently. We receive constant support from the Jafza team that works alongside us to support our growth.”