The Zone: Edition 66

IN THIS ISSUE

10 DP WORLD MARKS THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN BY PROVIDING 250,000 MEALS TO EMPLOYEES IN JEBEL ALI

28 BISSELL’S PURPOSE: HELPING PEOPLE AND PETS SHARE HAPPY, HEALTHY HOMES

32 HOSHAN PAN GULF: REVOLUTIONISING GLOBAL STATIONERY TRADE

36 HOW SIDEWAYS SPORTS INDUSTRIES IS MAKING WELLNESS SUSTAINABLE

38 JAFZA’S RAIL ECOSYSTEM: KEEPING RETAIL TRADE ON THE RIGHT TRACK

22

LALS GROUP: FROM HOME-GROWN FRANCHISE TO SUCCESSFUL RETAIL CONGLOMERATE 24 ALSHAYA: ENHANCING CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES THROUGH INNOVATIVE RETAIL SOLUTIONS

26 BEFORE AND AFTER JAFZA: TONY JASHANMAL SHARES GROUP’S TRADING JOURNEY

42 REVOLUTIONISING THE UAE’S ECONOMIC MODEL: EMBRACING INTERNATIONAL BEST PRACTICES FOR A DYNAMIC ENVIRONMENT FOR FOREIGN INVESTMENT

46 FINE HYGIENIC HOLDING CONTINUES MENA EXPANSION THANKS TO SUPPORT FROM JAFZA

Jafza: Raising the Bar on the Retail Sector in Dubai

Jafza supports the growth of Dubai’s retail sector on a local and global scale, handling 1.2 million tonnes of commodities in 2021, a quarter of the emirate’s total retail

The retail sector has evolved considerably in the past decade. From wider selections internationally to a range of digital platforms, ensuring we support the UAE and Dubai’s retail sector requires strategies and solutions to help grow sales volumes. It can’t be stressed enough how essential this sector is in the UAE, with Dubai considered a global shopping haven. With our goal of supporting the UAE and Dubai’s retail sector growth, Jafza’s integrated system caters to all the needs of the industry.

Dubai’s retail sector is quickly becoming one of the leading contributors to the UAE economy. In fact, DP World UAE facilitated the trade of AED 592.7 billion worth of goods in 2021, highlighting the retail sector’s consistent growth. This was made possible by understanding the changes in consumer behaviour, which are vital for the logistics sector in which we operate.

Jafza has long supported the sector with multimodal solutions for land, sea, and air transportation and through its unparalleled infrastructure. Whether it is optimising inventory flows or ensuring timely delivery, our sensitivity to the demands of our stakeholders and the end consumer sets us apart.

This is further enhanced by our expansive reach to over 180 ports through more than 80 weekly services, serving 11,000 port customers in retail, from China to Europe, the Indian subcontinent, as well as East and North Africa. Our connectivity also opens up access for our partners to a vast market of over 3.5 billion people, facilitating the expansion of their consumer base on a global scale.

Despite the fierce competition from major exporting countries like China, India, the United States, Vietnam and Bangladesh, Jafza’s retail provision continues to attract and retain leading businesses from the GCC and beyond. All thanks to our comprehensive understanding of the industry’s complexities and our expertise in logistics. Presently, 1,380 companies from 94 countries are using our state-of-the-art facilities spread over an area of 1.89 million m2. A total of 10,600 professionals have been employed by the retail sector in the free zone. These numbers indicate our competitiveness, economic viability and efficient business practices. We are indeed proud of the status we have achieved over the years as the destination of choice for multinationals and SMEs. Our aim now is to continue our upward trajectory.

Empowering Global Supply Chains

In line with this, last year we launched the Yiwu Market, a pathbreaking endeavour to empower regional and global supply chains. The first phase of the Dubai Traders Market, which will eventually house 20,000 traders and tenants, is designed to cater to the retail and wholesale industries. While eliminating potential disruptions in supply chains, the market will facilitate the efficient movement of Chinese goods in the UAE, making the country a gateway for seamless distribution across the Middle East, Africa, the Mediterranean and Europe.

Apart from this, we recognise the immense potential of the retail sector in Africa. We are consistently expanding our DUBUY.com e-commerce platform, which is allowing homegrown African businesses to become international enterprises by providing access to new markets in Africa, the Middle East and the rest of the world. This is another integral part of our ongoing efforts to improve global trade.

SULTAN AHMED BIN SULAYEM GROUP CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF DP WORLD AND CHAIRMAN OF PORTS, CUSTOMS AND FREE ZONE CORPORATION

Xylem’s Cutting-Edge Dubai Centre Strengthens its Middle East Footprint

Xylem, a global water technology company, has announced the opening of its new 10,000 m2 service centre with an investment of AED 4.404 million in Jafza. The new development will expand its presence in the Middle East, and tackle water-related challenges in the region more efficiently.

Currently, the company has operations in over 150 countries, with its regional headquarters in Jebel Ali serving throughout North Africa and the Middle East, including Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.

The service centre features an advanced analytics lab and rental hub, a wash bay, lifting and handling cranes, tooling and balancing machines, testing benches, original spare parts, a painting booth,

programming and calibrating equipment and devices. Currently employing 16 staff members, including engineers and technicians, the centre is expected to create 300 new job opportunities, while accelerating economic growth in the region.

Dedicated to solving water problems by developing innovative and smart technology solutions that are energy-efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable, Xylem aims to meet the world’s water, wastewater, and energy needs.

Major Boost for Acme Intralog with 30% Revenue Growth in 2022

Acme Intralog, a Jafza-based warehousing automation solutions provider, witnessed a robust 30 per cent increase in revenue in 2022, compared to the previous fiscal year. The main reason for growth was the strong demand for Acme Intralog’s solutions, both regionally and internationally. To cater to the growing demand and customer care, Acme has expanded its regional workforce by 24 per cent to ensure swift and seamless industrial solutions in the region.

The company is well-positioned to take advantage of current growth, with a dedicated team of over 20 engineers and technicians in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and a new design and planning department in its German office.

One of the company’s notable achievements in 2022 was the set-up of fully automated storage facilities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia for a major e-commerce company, as well as the completion of the largest palletisation system in the region for a food and beverage distribution centre. These projects demonstrate the effectiveness of Acme’s technology and services in improving warehouse operations for various sectors.

HIMA Middle East Opens New Regional Head Office in Jafza

HIMA, a leading provider of safety-related automation solutions, is pursuing a clear strategy to strengthen customer partnerships in key markets and enhance collaboration between its partners, sales and engineering services. The latest example is the new head office in the Middle East region.

HIMA has been present in the Middle East region for over 20 years, serving an installed base across the 82 countries and building partnerships to be closer to customers. HIMA Middle East opened its new head office in Jebel Ali, Dubai, on the 28th of February, 2023, strengthening its presence in the region. During the opening event, Managing Partner Steffen Philipp, CEO Jörg de la Motte, CFO Michael Löbig and HIMA Middle East Vice President Andrew Dennant, welcomed customers, guests and the local authorities. Abdulla Al Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer, Parks and Zones, DP World UAE said: “At Jafza, safeguarding the interest of our customers has always been one of our top priorities. We are proud to have companies like HIMA Middle East that share our commitment to safety, as part of our Jafza family. The company has focused on enhancing safety in the Middle East for over 20 years, playing a vital role in safety and security, and we are delight-

ed to celebrate the inauguration of its new office and expansion in Jafza.

“By expanding our market presence in the Middle East, we are confirming our long-term commitment to supporting our customers and partners in this important region,” stated Steffen Philipp, Managing Partner of HIMA. As customers across the Middle East, Africa and the CIS countries, move towards digitalisation in functional safety in the Process and Rail industries, HIMA has co-located a wider range of expertise in the region.

“Our approach is to help customers within the region digitalise functional safety with

added value. The investment in the new office is to enable further growth within the region in line with the long-term development of HIMA,” emphasised Jörg de la Motte, CEO at HIMA. “We have industry, application, cybersecurity and product expertise headquartered here in the UAE. Our goal is to be as close to our customers as possible as we double our safety-related automation solutions business within this region, and our new head office are a key enabler of our plans,” commented Andrew Dennant, Vice President at HIMA Middle East.

The facility houses a centre of excellence for Project Engineering, Lifecycle Services, and Product Support that is available 24/7 with a strong focus on sustainability. The installation of water-saving washroom facilities reduces the building’s overall water consumption by as much as 80 per cent, and an air dispersal feature saves up to 30 per cent of the annual electricity consumption, resulting in a potential 76 per cent carbon footprint reduction in these two focus areas. The new HIMA Inspiring Work concept facilitates hybrid working and collaboration with customers regardless of the nature of the expertise that is required.

Jafza Records 30% Growth in New Customer Registrations in 2022

DP World’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) witnessed the highest customer registrations in a decade, marking a 30 per cent year-on-year growth, and taking the total number of companies to over 9,500 in 2022. The free zone has created unparalleled opportunities in a variety of sectors through end-to-end logistics solutions, digital trade platforms and access to DP World’s global portfolio offering trade enablement support at every step of the supply chain.

An Ideal Business Hub for Diverse Industries

During the past 10 years, Jafza has seen a 13-fold increase in logistics customers, while the vehicle and transport segment saw a compound annual growth rate of 26 per cent. The increased reliance on manufacturing, logistics and e-commerce opened new market opportunities for retailers and general traders and created a demand for logistics and transport companies to handle the movement of goods through the free zone.

Strengthening Ties with Key Trade Markets

China and India remain key trade and economic partners for the free zone. The number of newly registered Chinese companies in Jafza saw a 4X increase in 2022, indicating a post-pandemic, healthy demand from the Far East. In recent years, the UAE and China have strengthened their relationship through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the UAE-China Economic Partnership.

The total number of new registrations of Indian companies increased by 30 per cent from 2021. DP World’s India-UAE Trade Bridge, and economic partnerships like the UAE-India CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) have increased customers’ confidence in expanding their reach through Jebel Ali.

Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World UAE and Jafza said: “At Jafza, we have aligned our efforts with the vision of the leadership of the UAE, in diversifying the country’s economy and increasingly relying on alternate industries. Last year, the UAE’s non-oil foreign trade reached a record AED 2.23 trillion, increasing more than 17 per cent year-on-year. We can proudly say that we have played a significant role in enabling this achievement. With trade facilitated through our Jebel Ali hub increasing considerably in 2022, Jafza continues to take the lead in achieving national goals.

“The notable increase in newly registered Chinese and Indian companies in the free zone has undoubtedly played a vital role in UAE-China trade, valued at AED 264.5 billion, and that of UAE-India trade at AED 180.9 billion, in 2022. Initiatives such as trade bridges, alongside multimodal connectivity and access to DP World’s global portfolio for end-to-end logistics and supply chain solutions have only enhanced the attractiveness of Jafza to business owners and allowed them to stay ahead of the curve,” Bin Damithan added.

Mitsumi Distribution Opens Second Logistics Centre in Jafza

Mitsumi Distribution is excited to announce the launch of their new Mitsumi Logistics Centre (MLC), the second warehouse in Jebel Ali, Dubai, which will serve as the central hub for their Middle East and Africa operations.

The 75,000 ft2 facility boasts state-of-the-art technology and equipment, including a storage automation system, advanced security features, and real-time tracking capabilities. With the ability to handle a large volume of goods, the MLC is wellequipped to meet the growing demand for distribution and logistics services in the region, and marks a significant step forward for Mitsumi Distribution’s logistics capabilities in the area.

Prioritising safety and security, the Mitsumi IT transformational team collaborated with Integralnetworks to design and install a

high-performance CCTV system that meets or exceeds all SIRA requirements. In addition, the company placed a high importance on productivity, efficiency, and sustainability, partnering with industry-leading companies such as SPAN, Jungheinrich, Promstahl, and STELLIUM, and investing in top-quality materials and high-efficiency products.

AJEX Launches New Series of Domestic EndTo-End and E-Commerce Services

AJEX Logistics Services has launched a new series of end-to-end logistics services for its business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) customers in the UAE, GCC, and across the globe. The new services include domestic and e-commerce express solutions that offer same-day and next-day delivery services across the seven emirates. AJEX’s international road express connects the UAE to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, while its international road services are available in the GCC, Egypt, and Jordan.

The Jafza company has an ambitious expansion plan for 2023 in the UAE, including the opening of its fourth facility close to Dubai International Airport for more seamless operations. By the end of the first quarter, the company intends to add another 50 staff members and around 50 vehicles to its fleet. It also plans to have 100 vehicles and 140 employees by year end. As part of its commitment to promote diversity, AJEX’s staff members represent eight nationalities, with a female-gender ratio of 18 per cent, which the company aims to increase to 30 per cent in 2023.

Since starting its operations in the UAE in July 2022, AJEX has hired 40 local staff members, opened three new facilities, and introduced a fleet of vehicles with capacities ranging from one to 20 tonnes.

YIWU Market Dubai: Making Trade with China a 5-Star Experience

Known as the factory of the world, China’s world-class production quality is transforming global manufacturing and retail. However, traders wanting to source and import products from China has become an arduous process. The need to travel coupled with the difficulty of finding reputed manufacturers, requires significant investment and effort.

The situation has been made more complicated by recent disruptions to supply chain flows from China. New business models are required to effectively deal with Chinese manufacturers, and this is precisely what YIWU Market Dubai has done.

Traders and retailers are now choosing YIWU Market Dubai as their favourite destination to do business, making it easier for

them to deal with Chinese factories to maintain a stable inventory. Here’s how:

Enter YIWU Market Dubai!

YIWU Market Dubai is a joint venture between DP World and China Commodity

City Group (CCC) located in Jafza, offering a one-stop destination for trading in the MENA region and globally. YIWU Market Dubai opened in 2022 and offers over 400,000 products from more than 100,000 suppliers in China, making it a go-to hub

The one-stop shop for a range of categories has quickly become a heaven for traders and retailers

for traders and retailers seeking affordable and quality products. And Dubuy.com, DP World’s e-commerce portal, means it is possible for YIWU Market traders to access a wider range of markets and extend their reach.

There’s Something for Everyone

YIWU Market Dubai supports both wholesale and retail purchasing due to its unique business model. This flexibility allows small and medium-sized businesses to operate at a low cost and minimal risk, while meeting the demand for quality products. Traders and retailers can find tools and hardware, including auto spare parts, kitchen and bath, bedding, and clothing items on the ground floor, while they can visit the first floor to shop for electronics and appliances, home and office supplies, as well as fashion and beauty products.

China at Your Doorstep

YIWU Market Dubai’s strong connection with Chinese factories has been a significant factor in its success. The Market acts as a bridge between manufacturers in China and the rest of the world. This means that traders can have direct access to factories in China and purchase products at a lower cost. This has helped businesses to cut down on shipping and handling expenses. The market has become a one-stop shop for everything from the manufacturing process to the final delivery of the products.

Easy Dock and Stock

YIWU Market Dubai provides efficient logistics support and storage facilities to traders, courtesy of its warehouses. YIWU Market Dubai’s storage capabilities, with 324 bonded and non-bonded warehouses running parallel, are particularly of interest for re-exporters. The advanced logistical

4,000+ Products 100,000+ Manufacturers

er parts of the world with ease, courtesy of YIWU Market Dubai’s strategic location.

Easy Buy from DUBUY.com

The integration of YIWU Market Dubai with DUBUY.com, an e-commerce platform from DP World, offers a convenient way to shop from home or work, saving time and energy for individuals, businesses, and sellers. The platform ensures that sellers can reach a wider range of customers through a strong online platform, opening up new opportunities for business growth.

1,600 Showrooms

support allows for seamless movement of goods into and out of the warehouses.

Quick in, Quick out

YIWU Market Dubai, located at Jafza, is at the intersection of trading corridors. It is minutes away from Al Maktoum International Airport and Jebel Ali Port, one of the largest container terminals in the region and gives traders greater access to Middle East and African markets. Businesses can enjoy the luxury of delivering their products to oth-

Combining Bonded with Non-Bonded

YIWU Market Dubai has been playing a pivotal role in serving both inland and international clients with its unique business model. By combining both bonded and non-bonded custom zones, the market has created a profitable platform for buyers and sellers alike. For inland clients, the market provides easy access to a wide variety of goods without having to deal with customs formalities. On the other hand, international clients benefit from the non-bonded custom zone which provides a duty-free environment to conduct business. This enables them to purchase goods at competitive prices without having to worry about high import duties.

950m Length 200,000m2 Area

324 Warehouses

VICE PRESIDENT,

DP World Marks the

Holy Month of Ramadan by Providing 250,000 Meals to Employees in Jebel

Ali Labour Camp

The company commits AED 4 million to spread more joy this Ramadan with the distribution of Iftar and Suhoor meals. The organisation’s people-first initiatives epitomise the holy month’s virtues of good deeds, community spirit, and charity

We acknowledge our social responsibility towards our people and value community action, with the hope of seeing positive outcomes for society.”

Inspired by the values of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, DP World has achieved the milestone of providing 250,000 meals for employees in the UAE to mark the Holy Month of Ramadan. This follows news that the company has committed AED 4 million as part of efforts from its humanitarian arm, the DP World Charity Foundation, to support causes associated with health, education, and food, both on local and global levels.

The company has always led the way in community engagement, contributing significantly to society by initiating several pioneering endeavours. As part of its commitment to smart and fair trade, the company owes a major part of its success to the local communities in which it operates.

The company’s endeavours are in continuation of its support to the ‘’1 Billion Meals Endowment” campaign, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Reinforcing the UAE’s humanitarian efforts, DP World contributed AED 10 million to the campaign.

Nabil Qayed, Vice President, People and General Administration, People Department, DP World UAE said: “Taking inspiration from the life of the late Sheikh Zayed, we have embraced sustainability as an integral part of our corporate culture. It forms a key component of our comprehensive strategic plan that includes caring for our employees, launching

volunteering initiatives, and developing integrated frameworks to care for customers. We have, time and again, ensured that we as an organisation not only meet the needs of our employees, but also provide an environment for businesses to flourish and communities to thrive, locally and regionally.”

Qayed adds, “Throughout the holy month of Ramadan, we have hosted several events to observe the essence of togetherness in society and cohesion among the DP World family. This year, we are committed to investing AED 4 million in our Ramadan initiatives to support every part of our society. We acknowledge our social responsibility towards our people and value community action, with the hope of seeing positive outcomes for society.”

Fostering Strong Community Values

This year, DP World provided approximately 250,000 Iftar and Suhoor meals. In col-

laboration with the DP World Foundation - launched last year - the company distributed the meals across various business units throughout the month.

As a diverse, cross-cultural organisation, DP World has always focused its energies on employee engagement. In line with this, the company hosts an annual Iftar for employees and their family members. This year, the company hosted staff for a special gathering at the DP World Pavilion at Expo City.

Reaffirming its focus on creating an inclusive and compassionate society, in partnership with Dubai’s Community Development Authority (CDA), DP World UAE also hosted a senior citizens’ Iftar at The Majlis - Dubai World Trade Centre. Accommodating 60 people, the event was a success with DP World employees volunteering for 27 hours.

As part of the Zayed Humanitarian Day initiatives, in alliance with DP World Foundation and DUBUY, the company distributed 700 food boxes to female workers at the ladies’ camp in Jebel Ali’s New West Accommodation. Truck drivers at DP World Jebel Ali Custom Gate 3 Complex were also given food boxes.

DP World UAE has been actively involved in welfare services and supporting local and global non-government organisations. Its efforts, in line with the UAE’s Fifty-Year Charter, aim to achieve sustainable growth in humanitarian work, develop the nation, enhance the quality of life, and endorse its organisational values and ethics.

Connecting the Dots from Ship to Shop

Discover the simple and efficient process of cargo handling operations at Jebel Ali Port and Jafza, which makes the trade hub the top choice for retail companies

During a recent keynote speech, Sultan Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World, revealed that Dubai’s location was not initially advantageous for international trade, as it does not overlook major trade routes like the ports of Aden or Salalah. However, the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President

and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Jebel Ali Port a destination for international shipping lines motivated the DP World team to add efficiency and speed to its services. These efforts have attracted the largest commercial ships, even though diverting to Dubai increases the sailing time by 150 hours. Thanks to DP World’s endeavours,

Import Process

Jebel Ali Port has achieved an exceptional triumph and currently is the world’s twelfth largest container port. In 2022 alone, the port managed to handle over 14 million containers, with an expansive range of over 100 berths spanning 25 kilometres of the quay to cater to all your port terminal needs.

Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

Documentation

It is crucial to validate all shipping documents, particularly the bill of landing, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and health/phyto certificate.

Online Applications and Payment

Through the Dubai Trade website, the freight forwarder submits a request on behalf of the consignee to collect cargo upon landing.

Vessel Unloading

Upon the vessel’s arrival and docking at Jebel Ali Port, the containers are unloaded and arranged in the import container (laden) yards.

DPA Token

Using the Dubai Trade portal, the freight forwarder reserves a time slot for the truck to arrive at the port for delivery and issues a DPA ‘Token’.

Truck Loading

On arrival at the container gate, the trucker gets a location slip for the container and proceeds to retrieve the cargo at the designated time slot.

Truck Departure

The container-loaded truck returns to the terminal gate for inspection and seal verification, then departs to the consignee’s warehouse.

Unloading

Upon arrival at the consignee’s warehouse, the truck unloads the cargo from the container.

Inspection

For Jafza-bound cargo, Dubai Municipality or other authorities may inspect it before utilisation or further processing. Online and in-person inspections are conducted, and once completed, the consignee may proceed with further activities involving the cargo.

22.4 Million TEU is Expected to be the Total Capacity of the Port

Container Terminals:

Terminal 1: This terminal has enabled Jebel Ali Port to be among the top ten ports worldwide

Terminal 2: Its state-of-the-art technology has decreased carbon emissions by 30%

6.25 Million m2 of Total Terminal Area

Terminal 3: It comprises of 19 automated quay cranes and 50 automated rail-mounted gantry yard cranes, and is capable of handling Ultra Large Container Vessels

Terminal 4: Upon its completion, Terminal 4 will increase the port capacity to 22.4 million TEUs

4 Container Terminals (T1, T2, T3, and T4)

Export Process

Phase 1

Submission

The shipper produces a commercial invoice and packing list to submit to the freight forwarder to obtain the Certificate of Origin and Health Certificate.

Booking

The freight forwarder reserves cargo space with a shipping line that meets the shipper/consignee’s delivery requirements.

Obtain Container

Using the Export Booking, the haulier can generate an empty container delivery token to retrieve a container from the port.

Phase 2

Container Stuffing

The container is stuffed with the cargo according to the details mentioned in the commercial invoice and packing lists.

Cargo Inspection

Inspection of cargo may be required at Gate 3, depending on the cargo and shipper/ consignee’s needs.

Token Generation

The freight forwarder requests an ‘Export IN’ token, which enables them to return the loaded export container to the port.

Phase 3

Export Declaration

While undertaking Cargo Inspection and Token Generation steps, the freight forwarder completes the Customs Export Declaration and submits it to DP World

Delivery to Export Yard

The cargo/containers are transported to the export (laden) yard and kept there until the arrival of the vessel.

Container Loading

On arrival of the vessel, the goods are loaded for the onward journey to the destination.

Storage on Demand as You Expand

In Jafza we recognise that storage is an essential component of any business that manages a supply chain network. This is why we have created a wide range of 360-degree storage solutions, which cater to businesses at all stages of growth and with varying demands

Warehouse Categories

Available in Jafza

Customised Development

Industrial Warehouses: Jafza has been providing warehousing solutions since 1980. Industrial warehouses in Jafza are available with as low as 543 m2 of space

Showroom Warehouses are accessible from Jafza’s main roadways and each one has a warehouse space at the rear with a glass facade showroom at the front, with 772 – 890 m2 area per unit on offer

Solutions offering includes extensive services ranging from network planning, site selection, design, and project management to the development and integration of customer-specific infrastructure

Lease Contract Types

Sub-Lease Contract: Under this contract, the sub-lessee is responsible for all operating costs, and the original tenant is responsible for ensuring that no one violates the terms of the original lease

Light Industrial Units (LIUs): An LIU is a perfect solution if you need storage space that doesn’t take up too much room or requires too many resources. These unique repositories in Jafza are available in three categories:

LIU 1000s: Up to 1,020 m2 storage space, and up to 45 m2 office space

LIU 500s: Up to 550 m2 storage capacity, and up to 190 m2 office space

LIU 300s: Up to 270 m2 storage area, and up to 80 m2 office space

Leasehold Contract: The leasehold contract typically includes a minimum lease term of one year and can be renewed upon expiration

Short-Term Lease: The short-term lease contract has a minimum lease term of one month and can be extended as needed. This contract is ideal to store goods temporarily, such as during a busy season

Palmon Group: Making a Mark in the Local and Regional Retail Business

With its modest origins as a garments factory in Mumbai in 1974, the company’s move to Jafza a decade later helped establish it as one of the most well-respected and long-standing manufacturing, retail, and logistics companies in the UAE

Being the first to introduce the ‘Made in UAE’ label to the world’s largest retailers, Palmon Group has gone from strength to strength. Owing to its expertise in several industries, the company has expanded beyond its core clothing manufacturing business to logistics, warehouses, fashion, facilities management, food and beverages and interior design. The company’s portfolio has witnessed exponential growth over the years, both in terms of value and physical assets.

Meher Mirchandani, Managing Partner and Head of Corporate, Palmon Group, sheds light on the background, history, and expansion plans of the conglomerate.

Can you share anecdotes from your journey and how Jafza became a preferred choice for the business?

My father, Manohar Lahori, Founder and Chairman, Palmon Exports, founded his first company, a garment factory in Mumbai, India, in 1974. Palmon relocated its business to Dubai as a result of a meeting with His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. My father stopped in the UAE while travelling from India to the UK to explore what was being developed as a free zone.

Our fund’s value has increased from USD 50 million to USD 80 million

MEHER MIRCHANDANI MANAGING PARTNER AND HEAD OF CORPORATE, PALMON GROUP

Impressed by the enthusiasm and vision of His Excellency Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, and the facilitation by his team, my father was convinced about starting the first garment manufacturing production facility in Jafza.

We were all in the process of learning something new. With the demand from our customers and the support of Jafza, we were able to expand to three facilities. Needless to say, they were as pleased with our accomplishments and growth as we were.

We were the first to introduce the ‘Made in UAE’ label to the world’s largest retailers. I can still recall His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, visiting our factory and showering praise on us for promoting the UAE as a manufacturing base in Europe and the US. The demand for our product increased rapidly, pushing us to increase production at a faster rate through organic growth and acquisitions. Today, our business employs over 4,000 people to produce garments in over 30 factories in the Gulf.

Palmon Group began as an apparel factory but has now expanded into different sectors. Can tell us more about your expansion strategies? The Palmon Group grew rapidly since its inception in Jafza in 1985. We expanded beyond our original core business of clothing manufacturing.

We were the exclusive UAE dealer for Ernestomeda, a major Italian brand that manufactures and exports approximately 70,000 kitchens worldwide each year.

Additionally, we represented the US-based kitchen appliance brand Sub-Zero and installed approximately 1,800 speciality refrigerators in Burj Khalifa’s apartments. We supplied 150 kitchens for the first phase of Al Barari, a luxury eco-development off Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, as well as 60 kitchens for Lime Tree Valley, which is a part of the Jumeirah Golf Estates.

We have increased our diversification by launching the UAE’s first logistics fund in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which is managed by Dalma and

ferred regional supply chain and re-distribution gateways for multinational companies.

In recent years, the UAE has transformed from a logistics hub to a supply chain nerve centre due to the successful implementation of national logistics plans and digital transformation initiatives undertaken by the public and private sectors.

Hence, there will always be high demand for world-class logistic centres like Jafza. We, thus, endorse Jafza’s vision. Our investment in the free zone speaks volumes

regulated by Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). With assets primarily in Jafza, the fund will meet the needs of the region’s growing e-commerce industry.

How do you view your long-term partnership with Jafza?

We have unwavering faith in the leadership of the UAE and Jafza’s management. Huge infrastructure investments including those that are ongoing, trade facilitation reforms and swift customs clearance are recognised as the chief contributing factors that make the UAE and Jafza pre-

of our belief. We are looking forward to growing our footprint in Jafza in the coming years.

What are some of your key achievements?

We are grateful for our consistent growth. In terms of built-up area, our portfolio has grown from 500,000 ft2 to 1.1 million ft2 in the last five years. Our fund’s value has increased from USD 50 million to USD 80 million, with a goal of reaching USD 150 million by 2025.

What are your expansion plans, both locally and regionally?

The Fund’s strategy is to expand locally in the future by acquiring more space in the categories of e-commerce, logistics, distribution, and document/data centres. The long-term plan is to make it a GCC-wide fund by expanding regionally, starting from Saudi Arabia.

Over 4,000 people are employed in our businesses in the region

Over 30 factories producing garments all over the Gulf region

Landmark Retail: Building Smart Supply Chains to Drive Customer Loyalty

Staying competitive in the retail industry is tough. Landmark Retail, with the help of Jafza’s smart trade tools, is optimising the supply chain to help foster its outstanding customer loyalty

In a fiercely competitive industry, Landmark Group has been leading the retail sector in the MENA region and India for over 50 years. With a diversified portfolio of 43 brands and 2,200 stores spanning 21 countries, the company has grown from humble beginnings – with a single store in Bahrain – to becoming a multi-billion-dollar business.

With eight category-leading retail brands, Landmark is achieving astronomical business growth, fuelled in part by the smart services offered by Jafza.

Landmark in Jafza: a ‘Smart’ Partnership for Smart Services

The group began with a modest 500 ft2 space in Jafza in 1993, and now occupies a sprawling 330,000 ft2 space. It’s Jafza’s smart digital services that is supporting the company’s increasing efficiency of its distribution, according to Ashish Sood, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Landmark Group.

“Jafza’s digital platforms for trade and logistics, customs clearance and warehousing have been very beneficial to us, in terms of optimising processes in the supply chain. Specifically, the recently launched smart services app, iJafza – which provides integrated connectivity with the back-end systems of Jafza, Imdaad and World Security – has been instrumental in creating a more joined up, efficient model,” said Sood.

Landmark Retail and Jafza have enjoyed a long-standing partnership. In 2019, they partnered to launch Omega DC, a fully automated logistics and distribution hub. As the tallest warehouse in the GCC, standing at a staggering 43 metres, Omega DC can accommodate up to 2.2 million cartons and two million hanging garments. It is the largest, most technolog-

ically advanced, privately-owned facility of its kind in the MENA region. Its “strategic location” has played a crucial role in the company’s growth and development plans, according to Sood, by providing easy access for the distribution of goods across the MENA region.

“Jafza’s ecosystem has allowed Omega DC to use cutting-edge technology and efficient processes and is helping us expand our business. We’ve achieved several significant milestones, including the implementation of advanced warehouse automation technologies, and the use of robots to facilitate decision-making and reduce manual efforts,” said Sood.

Increasing Customer Satisfaction

Building customer loyalty is vital to the longterm success of retailers and is an area of Landmark Retail’s laser focus. “Providing excellent customer service is key to competing with other major players in the retail industry,” said Sood.

“We achieve this by paying close attention to our customers’ needs and preferences, using our omni-channel network to curate our prod-

uct offerings, and by investing in advanced supply chain systems and technologies to ensure timely delivery of products. We must always be nimble in our response to customer demands,” he added.

The Power of Data

Pivotal to the customer experience are data and analytics – the key ingredient for driving improvements. Insights here help analyse a customer’s lifetime behaviour, preferences and needs. This data is then used to create more personalised experiences, improve product offerings, and increase customer satisfaction. Such data-driven decisions have improved operational efficiency, optimised pricing strategies and enhanced marketing efforts, according to Sood. “Landmark Retail also uses advanced analytics to identify and predict trends, such as changes in consumer demand, as well as providing insight into improving forecasting and planning,” he added.

Towards a Greener Future

Additional to Landmark’s operational excellence, there is also a clear goal to operate with a sense of purpose. With that aim, they have

enhanced their already environmental-friendly operations in line with the announcement made by the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan that 2023 would be the ‘Year of Sustainability’.

Landmark Retail is adopting several initiatives to contribute to the vision of a cleaner and greener future, and the company is focusing on several sustainable initiatives. The retail giant, according to their sustainability report 2018-19 built a single rooftop solar power system in Dubai South warehouse generating 3.4+ million kWh of energy annually, covering 50 per cent of the warehouse’s energy consumption. Landmark Headquarters in Dubai is certified as LEED Gold, recognised for efficient use of resources. The group also invested in an Energy Management System in the UAE in 2018-19, planning to reduce carbon emissions by up to 81,000 tonnes in the next five years, with energy savings equivalent to powering over 12,500 houses in a year.

“We’re committed to exploring the most effective ways of minimising our environmental impact and bringing positive change to the communities where we operate,” concluded Sood.

ASHISH SOOD CHIEF SUPPLY CHAIN OFFICER, LANDMARK GROUP

Chalhoub Group and Jafza: Partners in Growth and Trust

Since 1990, Chalhoub Group has been using the free zone’s support, its unique features and efficient logistics for the success of operations in the Middle East and beyond

Chalhoub Group, a prominent retail giant for luxury goods in the Middle East with a history of over 60 years, and Jafza boast a unique strategic partnership. The Group General Counsel Ramzi Modad and the Country Manager – UAE Nasser AlBlooshi touch on the most significant aspects of cooperation between the enterprise and the free zone.

When One Door Closes, Another Opens

In the 1990s, Chalhoub Group sought a new headquarters after the Kuwait invasion and turned to Dubai’s global trade centre as a promising prospect. Jafza caught the group’s attention and was warmly received by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, who shared the future vision of the free zone as a business incubator for their plans. Hundred per cent corporate ownership for foreign investors, a unique feature in the region, and ease of conducting business and constructing stores and warehouses made Jafza a perfect choice for the conglomerate.

Partners, Not Clients

Describing the relationship between Chalhoub Group and Jafza, Modad said, “The most prominent aspect that caught the attention of the group was the perfect partnership with the leadership of the free zone.”

“The group’s directors consistently attended Jafza’s leadership meetings to express Chalhoub’s points of view. As a result, the group felt welcome and comfortable. Our buildings became icons of beauty and splendour, and we also found stability and a permanent relationship that every entrepreneur craves in a business environment,” he added.

For his part, AlBlooshi said: “We at Chalhoub Group used to receive investors, intending to establish their business in Jafza. We are very proud of the trust that the free zone placed in us. Their support helped in expanding and growing our business across the globe.”

Cutting Costs without Cutting Corners

AlBlooshi explained the nature of the group’s operations, regarded as one of the largest retailers in the region for the most prestigious

international brands of beauty and fashion products. The group imports its products from several European countries and the USA to re-export them to the Middle East, courtesy of its modern, air-conditioned warehouses in Jafza. From there, the products go to more than 650 stores in more than 14 countries.

“Retail business involves complicated operations and dealing with intricate international supply chains. That means we must work with trusted and reliable entities and organisations, and Jafza is the best in this regard. Their integrated system of multi-channel trade connections enhances convenience,” AlBlooshi explained.

Modad conveyed his appreciation for the operational methods of Jafza. “We can easily fulfil all the company’s needs through one platform, such as requests, procedures, permits, visas, labour contracts, custom procedures, etc. Consequently, we feel more at ease and confident in our ability to improve the quality and capacity of our operations, while also reducing costs.”

Speed is the Most Precious Gift

On the importance of speed that the superior logistics system of Jafza and Jebel Ali Port provide, Modad said: “A container does not take, on average, more than 48 hours to be in our warehouses, and it may reach us in less than 24 hours as well. This quick clearance and de-

livery mechanism is an important contributor to our success. It allows us to guarantee the presence of our products on the shelves on time so that the customers can relish the joy of every special occasion with each package they open, for example, the Eid. Since we offer our services in multicultural markets, this swift process helps us keep pace with the demands of every event, season and holiday throughout the year.

Embracing Technology for Growth

AlBlooshi stressed the importance of technology in Chalhoub Group’s recent expansion post-COVID, highlighting the transformation of the firm’s business model due to the pandemic.

“Before COVID-19, we had only eight e-commerce websites. However, because of the global lockdowns due to the pandemic, we came up with a comprehensive strategy to rigorously adopt e-commerce. Currently, the number of e-stores operated by the group has reached more than 80. The attainment was made possible through the incorporation of Jafza’s intelligent digital trade framework,” said AlBlooshi.

Chalhoub Group recently ranked first for workplace gender equality in the Middle East. Furthermore, the group was classified by LinkedIn among the top five best work environments in the UAE, and one of the best retailers for luxurious products in the MENA region.

RAMZI MODAD THE GROUP GENERAL COUNSEL, CHALHOUB GROUP

Lals Group: From Home-Grown Franchise to Successful Retail Conglomerate

Starting from the UAE as a home-grown franchise in 1979 to becoming a household name in the Gulf region, Lals Group, today, caters to consumers across the GCC. The company serves an array of customers with unparalleled care and service in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Over time, Lals Group has seen significant changes. The company has a combined retail space of over 1.5 million ft2, 180 retail outlets, and numerous leading global brands in home essentials, fashion, novelties and food products among others. In conversation with The Zone, Jayant Ganwani, Vice Chairman and CEO, Lals Group, talks about the Group’s journey, UAE’s business-friendly policies and more.

Can you outline the company’s journey, from a small repair shop to specialised mega malls?

Since its inception in the UAE, Lals Group has evolved from being an original food retailer

and a grocery supermarket operator into a diversified conglomerate. Today, we have experience in manufacturing, poultry, real estate development, hotel operations, shopping centres, departmental stores, and several other industries.

We believe that the UAE is the land of opportunities. Every emirate has provided us with the opportunity to diversify our business and do something special. We are grateful to the Rulers of the UAE and our hosts here in Jafza, who are an integral part of our journey, for providing us with the platform to grow our businesses.

When did operations commence in Jafza and how has the free zone’s holistic business ecosystem benefited the company?

This is our second stint in Jafza, which has been an ideal place for our headquarters and logistics operations. We came to Du-

operate 180 stores in the UAE and run about 1.5 million ft2 of retail.

bai in the early 1980s. We were probably one of the first few companies to come and explore a garment manufacturing platform in Jafza. Then, we received immense cooperation and support. We ran the business here for about four or five years. Due to changes in regulations in the main source market, we pivoted outside.

We

Our achievements have ensured that we rank among the top three companies in some of the segments we operate in.”

Tracking the fabulous growth trajectory of a dynamic and versatile company that achieved distinct recognition and steady growth across the region

JAYANT GANWANI VICE CHAIRMAN AND CEO, LALS GROUP

We came back to Jafza in 2004, and now we have four facilities here, predominantly in the logistics, warehousing and trade sectors. Shifting to Jafza was a phenomenal idea at the right time as it provided us with the opportunity to own our businesses 100 per cent. With the evolution of laws in the UAE and the soon-to-be-launched corporate tax, free zones like Jafza that have several added advantages offer respite to businesses.

Elaborate on a few of your milestones and achievements since inception. We started as a single-store operation in Ajman in 1979, and today we have expanded to the entire Gulf region. This in itself is a milestone that defines our hard work and investment. You always look out for opportunities to grow. We have transformed ourselves in the light of new laws, policies and opportunities to succeed in our businesses. We have diversified from a simple distribution business into a multifaceted-business organisation over time.

Tell us about your global network and the size of your company.

We have operations in all GCC countries. Our base, however, is in the UAE. We export products to the entire region from here. We also have distribution businesses to handle exports to almost 50 different countries from Africa to Asia. The availability of smooth shipping connections from and via Jafza and other ports here has tremendously helped our business. As for our workforce, the company exceeds 4,500 employees, which is quite a substantial number. We operate 180 stores in the UAE and run about 1.5 million ft2 of retail. Our achievements have ensured that we rank

among the top three companies in some of the segments we operate in.

How are you incorporating technology to ease operations?

Without technology, we would be blind, and this is a common statement for any successful enterprise. If we don’t know what we are selling, how we are selling, what are our margins, when we need to replenish, and when we need to re-order, we would not be able to operate any business efficiently. We are in the midst of a very substantial enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform to upgrade ourselves. We’ve been connected and online for the last two and a half decades. We believe that investment in IT is the best any business can make. Once we are up and running on the latest ERP platform in the Cloud, we will be a much more resilient and informed business.

How are you utilising e-commerce in your ecosystem for retail and online trade?

No brick-and-mortar business can succeed without having an e-commerce platform. Every business needs to have click-and-collect. The UAE average is circa 15 per cent to 20 per cent of the business that will move online, and we are foreseeing trends to that extent.

We got online and adopted e-commerce in 2020. Yet, it has been the best experience that we’ve had in a long time. I think we were late to the party, but it was a mistake in hindsight. We should have done this substantially before, but it is never too late. We are online now with every business, and it is showing great signs of success.

What is your forecast for this year?

The year 2023 holds tremendous opportunities for our business. If you look at our sourcing, predominantly from Asia, we have seen far more disruptions in the supply chain than companies that were buying out of the US and the Western world. With China, Malaysia, and most of Asia reopening, I foresee freight rates will come down to improve businesses. Overall, opportunities for us to cater to the re-export businesses and consumers in our neighbourhood countries will improve. Particularly, for Lals Group, freights stability to the old level will truly help margins, which were under pressure. 2023 should be a good year in all respects.

How can you overcome supply chain disruptions and prevent them in the future?

It’s not just the UAE that saw supply chain disruptions, the whole world was affected. Geopolitical events, the pandemic and other unforeseen circumstances disrupted global businesses. With factories reopening and shipping lines going back to normal operations, businesses, at least in GCC and particularly in the UAE, will return to normal. Companies are now used to the idea of just-in-time inventories. But I believe everybody will have to carry some inventory in the future to insulate themselves, and their businesses, from disruptions like COVID. Facilities like ours in Jafza will help meet companies’ sales obligations and targets in the future by being able to store them in a secure, free zone area.

Alshaya Group has a proven track record of growth and innovation. As a leading franchise operator, the group offers a vast selection of beloved international brands across MENA, Türkiye, and Europe. In a candid conversation with The Zone, Tony Arnold, Chief Logistics Officer of Alshaya Group, shared insights on the conglomerate’s outreach, customer care services and the importance of technology, e-commerce, and innovation in streamlining processes despite changing consumer demands.

Can you give a brief overview of the company’s evolution?

The Alshaya Group is a thriving family-owned business that was originally founded in Kuwait in 1890. The company’s reach extends throughout the Middle East and North Africa region, Türkiye and Europe, boasting hundreds of retail outlets, cafes, restaurants, recreational venues, and a thriving online and digital presence. We operate in various industries including fashion, food, health and beauty, pharmaceuticals, home furnishings, and leisure and entertainment.

Elaborate on Alshaya’s philosophy and approach to brand partnerships. With a consistent record of growth and innovation, Alshaya Group is one of the world’s leading brand franchise operators, offering an unparalleled choice of well-loved international brands to customers. Built on sharing success, the spirit of trust, and openness, we have long-standing partnerships with some

of the world’s best brands, including Mothercare, Starbucks, and others.

How is the company managing, sustaining, and expanding its worldwide presence and retail stores?

We have a global footprint, with over 4,000 stores in 18 markets and 70 brands. We have invested in our logistics estate to ensure resilience by storing our stock as near to consumers as possible. We import around 70 per cent of the 20,000 containers through Jafza from over 30 countries – a third from Asia, a third from the USA, and a third from Europe – for onward distribution. We have also continually invested in our logistics infrastructure, both warehousing and production facilities to meet the ever-increasing demand of our customers.

What influenced the Alshaya’s decision to operate in Jafza?

Being based in Jafza has several benefits. It allows us to take advantage of the integrated logistics ecosystem and top-notch infrastructure. This supports our trading efforts in the

UAE and other regional markets within the MENA network and helps us respond quickly to geographical and legislative changes. We also have the flexibility to provide tailor-made solutions for our global supply chain through seamless sea, air and road connectivity within the region and beyond.

Other advantages include ease of managing customs duty and VAT, simplified online payment processes and smoother clearance operations. These factors have helped us optimise our operations and supply chain in a major way.

What is the role of technology in the company’s workflow?

Technology has increasingly become a major component of the supply chain over the last few years, improving efficiency and reducing costs. Now, the challenge is to increasingly link customer data to production and supply to ensure we have the right stock at the right time in line with customers’ demands. The ongoing digital systems integration allow a systemic single-window logistics interface with Dubai Trade, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and DP World.

What is the significance of e-commerce and traditional shopping for Alshaya Group?

E-commerce has witnessed a significant increase in recent years mainly due to the COVID pandemic. We have over 100 online sites to complement our brick-and-mortar locations. Despite this, our customers still want to experience our brands first-hand, in our stores.

Before and After Jafza: Tony Jashanmal Shares Group’s Trading Journey

Working in the Middle East for over a century, the Jashanmal Group delivers exceptional products, on-time and to a diverse customer base – completely revolutionising the retail trade business in the process

The Jashanmal Group is a dynamic and diversified group, renowned as a leader in retail across the GCC. The family-owned conglomerate has been serving the Middle East for over 100 years, with a key focus on providing exceptional customer service and delivering high-quality products. Its Jashanmal stores are in premium shopping destinations across the GCC, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the UAE, all offering unmatched shopping experience and garnering ongoing loyalty from its diverse customer base.

Tony Jashanmal, Group President, explains how the Jashanmal Group built and maintains its position as a retail trailblazer.

You were present in the UAE even before the start of Jafza. How has Jafza made life easier for Jashanmal?

Jafza has provided highly digitised process-based systems and environments for all our import/export needs. It’s made an enormous contribution to our scalability in the region.

The free zone is near to the Jebel Ali Port, serving as a vital gateway for international trade and connecting the region with major markets in Europe, Asia and Africa. The world-class infrastructure and facilities, stateof-the-art container terminals, the free trade zone and a logistics centre – it has all helped us consolidate our presence in the existing markets, while also opening new avenues for us to discover.

Overall, the conducive ecosystem for retail business at Jafza makes it an attractive destination for companies looking to expand their presence in the MENA region.

TONY JASHANMAL GROUP PRESIDENT, JASHANMAL GROUP

What operational and logistics facilities do your company have in the UAE and Jafza?

At Jashanmal, we have re-engineered the concept of the supply chain. We started investing to facilitate growth, optimise operations with a focus on people and assets and to fine-tune efficiencies in our business operations. The overall strategy was to introduce primary and regional order fulfilment distribution centres and to modernise warehouses with new storage concepts. We also introduced a Warehouse Management System for enhancing inventory management, improving order fulfilment, and reducing order cycle time with better inventory visibility.

Jafza is our central distribution centre, with 80% of the total volume inbound here. In total, we have around 520,000 ft2 of warehouse space across MENA.

Our phenomenal growth is due to our strategy of acquiring new brands. We increased our inbound cargo from 900 containers in 2018 to over 2,500 in 2022, fulfilling customer orders to the local market and to the upper Gulf region, including countries like Kuwait and Bahrain.

The Jashanmal Group has a wide range of products, catering to various market segments in various locations. Our retail arm, Jashanmal National Company, operates a network of department stores and speciality shops, offering a vast array of consumer goods, ranging from luxury fashion, fragrance and cosmetics, to home appliances, luggage and homeware.

Could you elaborate on your strategies to manage seasonal spikes in demand?

We use robust planning and ordering systems. A clear identification and categorisation of seasonal stock helps us keep pace with the rising demands. We utilise modelling and forecasting methods to predict demand patterns. After that, we adjust our resources and services, and support material-planning based on the above findings.

All the warehouses we operate in have dock levellers, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) to manage operations and CCTV’s for security. We also have separate loading areas for export and import handling and utilise state-of-the-art equipment for loading and unloading our merchandise from containers, giving us a shorter turnaround time.

How has your company incorporated digital tools in improving its business model?

We have embraced technology wholeheartedly at Jashanmal. We enthusiastically use digital and social channels as a means of keeping in close contact with our custom-

ers. Apart from that, the WMS helps ensure the accuracy and availability of stock and services.

What measures have you taken to maintain a strong customer base in the era of e-commerce?

We see e-commerce as critical to the trading and retail business and have invested valuable time and resources in e-commerce as a way of staying ahead of our competition. We have seven different e-commerce portals, all offering our customers a positive retail experience as they purchase our products from the comfort of their homes.

We have a robust Customer Relationship Management system for our large and growing database and to measure engagement with our customers. Digital and social media channels, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and others, help us stay relevant for existing customers, and to attract new ones. Meanwhile, the conventional markers of on-time delivery and excellent customer service remain the most helpful tools in keeping our customers delighted with our products and services.

100+ years of operation in the Middle East

520,000 ft2 of warehouse space

2,500 containers of inbounded cargo in 2022

BISSELL’s Purpose: Helping People and Pets Share Happy, Healthy Homes

Five generations of the BISSELL family have been designing award-winning and simpleto-use floor care cleaning solutions that effectively overcome all multitudes of messes

In Saudi Arabia, the company is the #1 Vacuum/Cleaner brand in market share value, with 72% value growth in 2022 (year-on-year).

We can easily import and export in a timely manner to anywhere in the world. We never face any shortages in supplies or delays in receiving our shipments. The strategic location of Jebel Ali Port adds convenience to our operations.”

FATEN AL-BALTAJI GENERAL MANAGER OF MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA AT BISSELL

BISSELL

covers more than 13 countries in the Middle East and Africa

BISSELL has long been a household name, providing innovative solutions for a cleaner living space. The company’s mission is to manufacture the best floor care appliances in the world, using the latest innovations in cleaning solutions.

A Worthy Partnership

BISSELL set up its principal office in Jafza to supply its distributors in the MEA region with products, spare parts, and accessories through 3PL (third-party logistics) warehousing partners, who are also strategically located in the free zone.

“Jafza offers several advantages when it comes to its location, including a tax-free environment and 100 per cent ownership. Additionally, it provides access to robust multimodal logistics services (by land, sea and air), which is essential to carrying out operations in a sustainable environment,” said Faten Al-Baltaji, General Manager of Middle East and Africa at BISSELL.

She continued: “We can easily import and export in a timely manner to anywhere in the world. We never face any shortages in supplies or delays in receiving our shipments. The strategic location of Jebel Ali Port adds convenience to our operations.”

BISSELL’s partnership with Jafza has been instrumental in supporting its regional expansion efforts too. Al-Baltaji said: “Jafza is the best free zone in the MEA region to do business. The ecosystem of Jafza is spectacular and supports expansion into different markets because everything we need is just next door.”

Simplification through Digital Solutions, including Dubai Trade

BISSELL’s growth is also being fuelled by the attention it places on e-commerce to help promote sales, helping the company reach a newer, wider audience at speed. Its website is easy to navigate for customers, providing a seamless journey from search to purchase,

10 main categories of state-of-the-art products

BISSELL has been family-owned since launching in 1876

and all at the click of a button. This is due, in part, to its products also being stocked by the likes of Amazon. These digital solutions help with inventory management, supply chain optimisation and data analysis to improve operations and provide a better service to customers.

Innovative tools to process trade activities are also being used as part of the move towards digitalisation. Dubai Trade’s electronic services provide fast and easy document processing for BISSELL. Al-Baltaji said: “Doing business in Jafza is so easy, thanks to Dubai Trade. We can access smart services, helping us deal with government entities, visa and custom requirements, as well as shipping, in a fast and effective manner. Through Dubai Trade, we trade across borders with a minimum amount of effort and overhead costs.”

Delivering Exceptional Customer Service

Loyal customers rightly expect exceptional customer service, and BISSELL is committed to continually improving connections with its customers. When it comes to the online experience, BISSELL’s website includes user manuals, troubleshooting guides and frequently asked questions to help customers resolve issues. If that doesn’t help, the customer can simply select their country in the customer service section of the website to receive rel-

evant information on how to use a product, warranty or repairs.

In addition to the vast array of online resources and support available, BISSELL understands that customers may prefer to seek offline assistance with its products. As such, the company has established a network of trusted sellers and resellers across the globe who can provide direct and personalised assistance to customers.

BISSELL’s vendors are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to assist customers with all aspects of their products. To find a BISSELL trader close to their location, customers can visit the company’s website, where the details are readily available.

NAVIGO MCL Extra

NAVIGO MCL Extra shows excellent piston cleanliness on E.R. TALINN at end of trial inspection in Februar y 20

Reinforcing reliability and efficiency of processes

Hoshan Pan Gulf: Revolutionising Global Stationery Trade

From a small-scale enterprise established in Saudi Arabia, to one of the largest holding companies in the Middle East, distributing stationery and office supplies, HPG’s growth trajectory is fuelled by Jafza

The UAE’s dynamic commercial and economic policies, guided by visionary leadership, have led the transformation of Dubai from a local trading community to one of the most successful commercial hubs in the world. The business ecosystem, thriving trade and logistics sector, and the emirate’s strategic location, linking the East and the West, have made it a centre of regional and global trade. In addition, DP World’s trade catalyst Jafza has helped unlock growth and innovation for companies looking to expand into international markets.

One of the fast-growing non-oil industries that have benefited from the advantages is the paper market. According to 6Wresearch, the UAE Stationery Market has witnessed robust growth in the past few years owing to increasing government investment in the educational sector, growing disposable income of consumers and high literacy rate in the country. Stationery and printing products have gained the attention of global merchandisers.

Omar Alsaqaf, Group Brand Director, Hoshan Pan Gulf (HPG), said, “Today, Dubai has become a lucrative market for suppliers of stationery and office automation products, with its extensive network of retailers, wholesalers and stockists. The emirate is also an ideal platform for exporters and re-exporters to penetrate not just the regional markets, but also global economies. The value of imports, exports and re-exports of paper, paperboard and

printing industry products in the Gulf has been ever-increasing.”

The HPG Success Story

Established in 1964 as an enterprise in a small neighbourhood in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, HPG, one of the top 100 stationery and office supply product re-sellers in the world, grew significantly until it became one of the largest Holding companies, not just in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia but also in the Middle East.

As one of the leading names in the Middle East for school, office, stationery and printing supplies, HPG, housed in Jafza for the last 36 years, has received immense support in regional and global stationery exports and re-exports. Over time, Jafza’s simple, smooth policies and procedures have been instrumental in HPG’s growth and expansion.

Their success can be measured by the fact that they recently opened six shops in

the Yiwu Market located at Jafza to serve re-export customers.

HPG ensures that shipments, whether less than container load (LCL) or full container loads (FCL) are readied, handled and delivered swiftly to its branches in multiple markets. For customers handling the logistics themselves, the company provides all the required re-packaging cartons or shrink wraps to be used inhouse. Even inside Jebel Ali, HPG offers customised re-packing and shipment services based on customer requirements.

Alsaqaf added, “As a credible and reliable trade partner for the past five decades with multinational corporates, we have major plans to scale. To realise this, in Jebel Ali, we took a new 4,000 m2 warehouse that is almost full - we are now planning for another warehouse. Our geographic scope has broadened, both inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and throughout the region. With expansion in

mind, we recently opened six shops in the Yiwu Market, to serve our re-export customers.”

The Jafza Advantage

One benefit of HPG’s membership in Jafza is that customs duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) are refunded immediately on the invoices. While HPG manages the local stationery industry, its specialist team for re-export and a sister company, Clips Trading, handles the re-export market.

“We serve and guide our valued customers for re-export. At HPG, we are constantly adapting to remain agile to market changes. We embrace the use of technology to ensure simplified processes for customers and we use software to automate processes to reduce the need for physical customer visits. We focus on serving our customers both in modern and traditional trade, based on their needs,” said Alsaqaf.

A Global Team

The diverse language skills of HPG’s team members from different continents are valuable. They help add value to the global team and ensure they understand and respect various cultures. For example, a team member from Kenya can speak English, Swahili, and Arabic. Another team member from Azerbaijan can speak Uzbek, Russian, Persian, and Turkish. There is one who knows Amharic and another team member who speaks French. HPG can provide efficient operations and effective customer service with the help of these skilled team members.

The company’s strengths have helped it diversify its business to other product lines and categories, including travelling luggage. Presently, they represent Carlton and other VIP brands in the region.

As a credible and reliable trade partner for the past five decades with multinational corporates, we have major plans to scale.

To realise this, in Jebel Ali, we took a new 4,000 m2 warehouse that is almost full - we are now planning for another warehouse.”

OMAR ALSAQAF GROUP BRAND DIRECTOR, HOSHAN PAN GULF (HPG)

Masa Trading: Accelerating Electronics Trade

Masa Trading is a leading manufacturer and authorised distributor of four popular electronics brands in the MENA region. The company enjoys a mammoth 35 per cent share in the UAE air conditioning market, courtesy of Jafza’s conducive ecosystem for growth.

After Masa was established in 2003, it grew its profile by marketing and selling Star-X LEDs, Evvoli electronics, General MAX AC units and Fuji Heat Cool products. Masa then set up its operations in Jafza in 2011. They opened their first showroom in Dubai in 2012, and Jafza’s logistics excellence fuelled the company’s ambition, breeding success in the shape of three more stores in the UAE by 2014.

In 2019, Masa generated more than AED 650 million in revenue by selling 500,000+ AC units and 600,000 LED TVs. Jafza’s fast and reliable infrastructure and digital services helped Masa ship more than 6,000 containers all across the globe in a year. With further expansion in sight after entering Europe through a branch in Italy, the electronics trader will look forward to increased cooperation from Jafza’s multimodal transportation network.

Apparel Group’s Journey: From Local to Global Retail Monolith

Apparel Group’s success story highlights the power of strategic thinking and timely investment. The journey started in 1999 with its first Nine West store in Lamcy Plaza, Dubai. With a vision to become a leading player in the industry, the retail monolith started with local brands and gradually expanded its portfolio to include well-known labels such as Tommy Hilfiger, Aldo, and Calvin Klein.

However, the real breakthrough for Apparel Group came in 2008 when they set up their new head office in Jafza. This move enabled them to scale their operations and expand their retail footprint, growing from 500 stores and a handful of brands in 2008 to an impressive 2,025 shops and 80 renowned labels. The new head office in the free zone provided them with better infrastructure, logistical capabilities, and connectivity to distribution networks and

markets, which helped them streamline their operations and reduce costs.

Recently in 2019, the multi-award-winning global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate partnered with SirajPower to launch a two MWp solar plant at its Jafza ware-

house facilities as part of its CSR initiative towards sustainability. The plant will cover over 55% of the company’s electricity consumption, resulting in an annual saving of 2,121 metric tonnes of CO2 - equivalent to taking 450 cars off the roads.

Jafza Distribution Centres: The Game-Changer for BMA International’s Success Monolith

BMA International marked its entry into the world of retail with its first fashion brand in 1988. The company grew with time and diversified, venturing into supermarkets and creative advertising.

In 2001, the company opened its first distribution centre in Jafza, which proved to be a catalyst for them, allowing for

better inventory management and faster delivery times. The expansion multiplied over the years. BMA launched RedTag, a fashion brand with 40 stores and 2,000 associates, followed by the twenty4 in 2013, with 200 stores in operation. The company’s success did not stop there. In 2016, BMA International opened its sec-

ond distribution centre in Jafza, owing to the increased demand for its products.

Today, one of the leading retail players across the MENA region has over 250 outlets in 12 countries, making a difference in the lives of 26 million customers, thanks to Jafza’s focal point for swift distribution.

Kimoha: Industry Leader in Labelling and Packaging

Kimoha Entrepreneurs is known for its exceptional quality in labelling and packaging solutions and is a leader in the Middle East market. It covers 15 market segments, including cosmetics, perfumes, lubricants, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, aviation, retail, and logistics.

In Jafza, the enterprise set up a state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility in 2011 with the latest technology in flexography printing machines and digital presses. With its cutting-edge technology, Kimoha Entre-

preneurs provides services in more than 40 countries, serving top brands.

The company’s varied experience allows them to customise solutions to meet the specific needs of each market. Whether it’s the sleek cosmetics packaging or the robust labelling of aviation parts, Kimoha Entrepreneurs FZCO has the expertise to deliver the perfect solution. Kimoha Entrepreneurs has leveraged Jafza’s resources and infrastructure, to deliver bespoke solutions that meet the unique needs of its clients across a range of industries.

How Sideways Sports Industries is Making Wellness Sustainable

In an exclusive interview, Sideways Sports (SWS) Industries CEO, Rainier Nouhra, shares his company’s journey from rapid growth to a commitment to sustainability and the environment.

Can we have an idea about your company and its unique business model?

Sideways Sports Industries is an OEM manufacturer of action sports boards, including wakeboards, kiteboards, wakesurfing boards, snowboards, skateboards and Surfboards. We supply our products to some of the leading brands in the world.

It was established in 2004 with a hub in Dubai and an ambition to build the highest-performing and most durable action sports boards possible. Through our business ethos of always working “Towards a Better World”, we continuously strive to better the brands we partner with, the surrounding communities we are a part of, and the planet as a whole.

How did you balance sustainability and profitability to achieve growth in your business?

‘Towards a Better World’ is not only a part of our business philosophy, but it also defines our sustainability promise. As per the UN Sustainability Goals and Directive (SDG), we focus on three pillars; Environment, Economy/Business Growth, and Society/Community.

Sideways Sports Industries has made significant efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, ensure a sustainable product lifecycle, and maintain a sustainable workforce. The company relies almost entirely on solar power to meet our factory’s energy needs, and we focus on building high-quality and long-lasting boards with the greenest material possible. As a result, we have become a leader in sus-

Sideways Sports Industries is redefining sustainability in a retail sector considered environmentally unfriendly

RAINIER NOUHRA CEO, SIDEWAYS SPORTS (SWS) INDUSTRIES

premier

40,000 ft2 in total area

tainable production and one of the largest kiteboard and snowboard manufacturers globally.

Has operating from Jafza helped you meet your sustainability objectives?

Our base in Dubai and Jafza was strategically chosen and is aligned with our sustainability focus. It places us close to our

suppliers and offers us great connectivity to our customers, being right in the centre between East and West.

Our close proximity to the largest container seaport in the world further reduces our required energy resources for dispatching the boards. Additionally, due to the logistics capabilities of Jafza, we can offer quick turnarounds and short lead times to our customers, a key component that has enabled the company to expand our business exponentially year on year.

With our export focus, we also benefit extensively from Jafza’s tax-free operating model.

Jafza’s ambitious vision and continuous logistics innovations have been a large contributor to our success. The strong trade network of DP World has also helped expand our global coverage. Our strategic expansion plans with the addition of our warehouse in Jafza, align with the industrial strategy of the UAE to create additional in-country value. We also hope to grow the portfolio of ‘Made in UAE’ products that are exported around the world. The UAE strives to be a global

leader in adopting sustainable practices, demonstrated by its commitment to the 2030 UN SDG targets, most recently its 2050 Net Zero pledge, and not to forget by hosting COP28 this year.

Jafza and DP World are significant contributors to these commitments. We are proud to be part of this journey and will do our share to contribute towards the UAE’s sustainability ambitions.

Capacity to produce 450,000 boards annually

Due to the logistics capabilities of Jafza, we can offer quick turnarounds and short lead times to our customers, a key component that has enabled us to expand our business exponentially year on year.”

factory spanning

Jafza’s Ecosystem: Keeping Retail Trade On The Right Track

Through its regional reach, automation, infrastructural resilience, and multimodal logistics, Jafza enables retail companies to access varied markets, facilitate efficient cross-border trade, use advanced services, and seamlessly coordinate supply chains

“Unlike many neighbouring countries with natural resources and sufficient wealth to meet their requirements, we have no option but to create and innovate. Without it, we will face starvation. But, we are not the ones to back down from a challenge,” said Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World Group, as he concluded the success story of DP World and the potential of the port of Jebel Ali to transform global trade.

Despite pessimistic outlooks, the port has evolved from being considered a white elephant and only suitable as a local port to a trade and logistical centre, catering to a consumer base of 3.5 billion individuals.

Jafza, the largest free zone in the DP World portfolio, has been a key driver in attracting businesses to Dubai. It is part of the success story of the emirate and is a key enabler of economic growth. In 2021, the free zone generated AED 53.7 billion, which accounted for more than nine per cent of the total trade value (AED 592.7 billion) of the emirate. In the same year, Jafza handled almost 25 per cent of all trade volume for Dubai, which amounted to 1.2 million MT out of 4.9 million MT. And it continues to support global trade on a major scale.

As one of the biggest retail trade hubs, Jafza’s success has been contributed to by the RAIL ecosystem, which stands for Reach, Automation, Infrastructure, and Logistics. This facilitates the flow of glob-

al trade across all sectors, and has significantly contributed to the growth of companies, particularly in the retail industry.

The following report will delve deeper into the functioning of the RAIL ecosystem, which keeps retail businesses on the right track towards achieving success.

The Pillars of RAIL Ecosystem

Jafza’s RAIL ecosystem combines all the capabilities of the free zone, aiding international retail trade and helping corporations to optimise their supply chain and logistics operations. The RAIL ecosystem allows retail enterprises to achieve maximum efficiency, speed, and profitability.

To achieve the RAIL model, DP World dedicated significant resources to optimise all facets of the supply chain and implement industry-leading practices. As a result, the company’s trade and logistics hub in Jebel Ali, encompassing both the port and Jafza, became the ideal destination for businesses seeking to establish themselves and manage complex logistical operations on a global level.

The Regional Reach

Jafza leverages its advantageous location in Dubai to boost the retail industry. With an eight-hour flight radius providing access to 65 per cent of the global GDP, and direct connections to over 180 ports through 80+ weekly service calls via

150+ ship-liners, Jafza is strategically positioned to facilitate global trade.

DP World’s trade bridges with prominent retail markets like China, India, and Africa have created unrivalled trade corridors for the smooth flow of goods, setting Jafza apart from other trade centres worldwide. This has given retail companies robust access to suppliers and customers, maximising their profitability.

The free zone also provides uninterrupted 24/7 trade connectivity to multiple destinations, allowing retail enterprises to consolidate their distribution in one place. By making Jafza a centre of its operations, any company can stay on track when it comes to reducing operational costs and exploring new markets for the growth and development of its business.

All this makes the free zone a preferred destination for over 9,500 companies. Within this group, more than 1,380 retail and general trading companies from 94+ countries have chosen to call Jafza home.

Smart Solutions for Smarter Trade

One of the most significant features of Jafza is its cutting-edge, automated systems that oversee its facilities and equipment. These systems seamlessly integrate with the premium digital platforms, enabling e-commerce and logistics ser-

In 2021, the free zone generated 53.7 billion AED of Dubai’s overall trade value

Jafza has handled 1.2 million MT in trade volume for Dubai

Jafza supported 11,000 port customers in 2021

Jafza’s expertise in multimodal logistics, including sea, air, and road transportation, ensures seamless cross-border trade for its clients. The container freight station boasts a vast open storage area of 250,000 m2 and a covered storage area of 20,000 m2, making it one of the largest in the region.”

vices. This includes a range of technological tools, from port management systems, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and autonomous trucks and gates, to smart portals and AI-enabled applications.

Clients can take advantage of the user-friendly and efficient digital platforms available to corporations operating within Jafza. These platforms simplify and expedite retail trade processes and include:

Dubai Trade: A comprehensive platform for cross-border trade, Dubai Trade offers close to 700 e-services. The smart portal simplifies trade engagement and logistics operations for all parties involved in the trade process, including Jebel Ali Port, Jafza, Dubai Customs, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Chamber of Commerce, and many others. The portal provides numerous services to support importers and exporters, shipping lines and agents, clearing and forwarding agents, hauliers, and free zone licensees.

CARGOES: Developed by DP World after gaining 40 years of experience in logistics, it is a digital solution to address inefficiencies in the supply chain and enhance tracking capabilities for shipments to global ports.

DUBUY.com: This innovative B2B e-marketplace, owned by DP World, provides end-to-end supply chain solutions for businesses in Africa and beyond, connecting

them to regional and international markets.

SeaRates: This digital facility started in 2005 and is a trusted community marketplace for international cargo delivery of small packages to shiploads.

Digital Freight Alliance: This association connects freight forwarders to cargo opportunities, and offers digital tools for members to simplify digital transformation.

These automated, innovative digital solutions have helped retail trade establishments streamline their operations and access the services they need quickly and efficiently.

Infrastructural Resilience

Jafza offers world-class infrastructure, state-of-the-art facilities and a stress-free environment to support retail traders in conducting business. The free zone has a range of amenities over its 57 km2 total area; offering products such as land, warehouses, offices, and staff residence.

Located close to Jebel Ali port, the free zone offers a modern marine infrastructure network, including 11 terminals and over 100 berths across 25 kilometres of the quay. The port alone handled 14 mil-

lion TEUs in 2022, signifying its superior ability to speed up retail trade.

Meanwhile, Dubai Traders Market, located adjacent to Jafza, will host over 20,000 global trading entities in its 200,000 m2 infrastructure once completed, becoming one of the biggest marvels of infrastructural brilliance.

Moreover, Jafza’s facilities and premises are safeguarded by advanced security systems and CCTVs, ensuring the safety of all tenants. This is made possible through World Security, a DP Worldowned integrated security and facility management provider. As a result, businesses can operate in Jafza with peace of mind, knowing that their operations are secure and hassle-free.

Multimodal Logistics

Jafza also offers comprehensive inventory management, order fulfilment, and transportation. Retailers can make use of the free zone’s supply chain management expertise and resources to streamline operations, lower expenses, and enhance customer satisfaction.

The trade hub boasts a total logistics facility space of 4.3 million m2. The logistics industry has over 550 companies

from 20 countries, employing 16,000 individuals.

Jafza’s expertise in multimodal logistics, ensures seamless cross-border trade for its clients. The container freight station boasts a vast open storage area of 250,000 m2 and a covered storage area of 20,000 m2, making it one of the largest in the region. Jafza offers inter-terminal transport, cross-stuffing, cross-dock solutions, and a car storage hub solution. Moreover, Jafza’s Jebel Ali ‘Delay in Transit’ solution helps clients avoid storage and demurrage charges.

On the other side, the free zone’s trucking and distribution services use a variety of trucks, and their experienced staff and operators provide last-mile delivery, track and trace, fast turnaround, and insurance and safety to ensure the timely distribution of goods.

The warehousing solutions encompass cool storage (7,000 m2, +10°C to +20°C), cold storage (10,500 m2, -29°C to +13°C), dry warehouse (17,500 m2), and Jebel Ali Hub storage (14,000 m2), catering to a wide range of industries.

Finally, the Logistics Park provides midsized warehousing facilities, ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 m2, along with office space and amenities, allowing businesses flexibility and rapid expansion opportunities in Dubai.

Jafza’s

RAIL Never Runs Out of Steam

Jafza’s RAIL ecosystem is a model of success and sustainability for the retail sector. It allows businesses dealing with top commodities such as clothing, footwear, sanitary ware, kitchenware, bags and luggage, and toys and games to operate efficiently without losing momentum.

The four components – reach, automation, infrastructure, and logistics – work seamlessly together, providing retail goliaths like Landmark, Apparel, Alshaya, Jashanmal, LuLu, BFL and Puma the opportunity to optimise their supply chain and logistics operations. This is the reason the free zone’s key trade partners, including China, India, the USA, Saudi Arabia and many others, use its ecosystem as a reliable and effective tool in driving the success of all businesses in the retail industry.

Thanks to its exceptional RAIL capabilities in supporting the retail sector, Jafza has become a household name, present in every home, and a part of all the moments of celebration and seasons throughout the region. This reflects the real value of reliable trade flow that is affordable and accessible to the community.

The trade hub boasts a total logistics facility space of 4.3 million m2

The Logistics Park provides warehouse facilities, ranging from 5,000 to 10,000 m2

The logistics industry has over 550 companies from 20 countries

Revolutionising the UAE’s Economic Model: Embracing International Best Practices for a Dynamic Environment for Foreign Investment

To advance the process of transforming the economic model, and achieve higher levels of flexibility and competitiveness in the country’s business climate, it is necessary to keep up with the best international practices in commercial transactions. This can be accomplished by ensuring transparency and clarity, raising the coun-

try’s classification on relevant economic competitiveness indicators, and providing a dynamic and fertile investment environment that encourages domestic and foreign investments, while increasing the investors’ confidence in the country’s business climate.

Federal Decree by Law

No. 50 of 2022

Federal Decree by Law No. 50 of 2022, which replaced previous the legislation spanning nearly 30 years, defines the general axes of commercial business. Specialised commercial federal laws have been enacted to provide detailed provisions that apply in this regard.

The decree’s main provisions are:

The federal decree by law provided for lowering the legal age of capacity from 21 to 18 years to engage in business. This has enabled new age groups to participate in business, contributing to the expansion of youth participation in the business sector.

The federal decree by law removed the requirement for women to obtain permission from their husbands before engaging in commercial activity. As a result, the law has increased opportunities for females to participate in economic and commercial activities, and supported their role as a key partner in economic and social development.

The federal decree by law established the legality of virtual businesses conducted through modern technology, stating that the same provisions established for commercial businesses conducted in person apply to them. As a result, the law established the first legal reference in the Arab region to regulate commercial activities

To promote local and foreign investments, the legislative authorities have issued a number of important laws, including the Federal Decree by Law No. 50 of 2022, which promulgates the Commercial Transactions Law, and Federal Law No. 3 of 2022, which regulates Commercial Agencies.

using modern technological means, supporting the UAE’s goals in the sectors of the new economy.

The federal decree by law mandates the legality and authenticity of virtual commercial transaction records, as well as the sale of used movable property by public auction, and requires the availability of bids via a licensed electronic platform or through various modern technology means.

Under the federal decree by law, parties are allowed to agree on the validity of the International Chamber of Commerce’s rules governing international commercial sales in some cases.

Federal Law No. 3 of 2022

Federal Law No. 3 of 2022, which regulates Commercial Agencies, will come into effect on June 16, 2023, replacing the previous legislation that had been in effect for more than 40 years.

The law’s most notable provisions are:

The law limits the practice of commercial agency business to UAE nationals only, while allowing public shareholding companies incorporated in the country, with at least 51 per cent of its capital owned by UAE citizens, to practice commercial agency business.

The law allows international companies to conduct commercial agency business for their own products under certain conditions, and with the approval of the Council of Ministers. One of the most important conditions is that the commercial agency should not have a commercial agent inside the country.

The law provides a 10-year notice period for the expiry of commercial agency contracts registered for the agent himself for more than 10 years, or in which the volume of the agent’s investment exceeds AED 100 million. Additionally, the law provides a two-year notice period for agencies in force for less than that period, or in which the volume of the agent’s investment is less than AED 100 million. This is intended to protect the stable conditions in this vital sector.

Unless the parties agreed otherwise in the contract, the term of the commercial agency contract shall be five years if the agency contract stipulated the preparation of buildings, warehouses, or facilities for maintenance and repair.

The law states that only commercial agencies registered in the Ministry of Economy’s commercial agencies register are permitted to conduct business in the country. Any commercial agency not registered in this register is not considered valid.

The law specified explicit and specific cases for the termination of the commercial agency contract in the interest of the national economy. These provide the best services and prices to consumers through fair competition between agents, whether through the entry of potential new agents to the market, or through improvements to the performance of existing agents, thereby encouraging them to maintain a strong business relationship.

The law regulates the procedures and provisions for terminating the commercial agency with mandatory controls, provisions, and notice periods, which must be one year or half of the remaining contract period, whichever is less, unless otherwise agreed. The law also specifies the clear and specific conditions for the transfer of assets to the new agent at a fair value.

The new law also ensures the continuous flow of goods and services in the event of a dispute between the principal and the agent. The Ministry designates exclusive sources to facilitate the flow temporarily, and the principal is responsible for any compensation awarded to the agent by a final court decision.

The formation of the Commercial Agencies Committee was approved by the Council of Ministers. The committee’s role is to investigate disputes between parties regarding a commercial agency that is registered with the Ministry. Cases cannot be brought before the courts until they are first presented to the committee for consideration.

The law established a new mechanism for resolving disputes between parties through arbitration when the agency parties agree, and the committee’s decision is issued within the prescribed appeal period.

The law empowered the Council of Ministers to release any activities or materials from commercial agencies in accordance with the controls it specifies, based on the recommendation of the Minister of Economy, and after coordination with the competent authorities, provided that the Cabinet’s decision sets a date for editing these activities or materials.

Jafza: Empowering an E-commerce Ecosystem that Enforces Effectiveness

E-commerce has become increasingly important for retail businesses, and Jafza, with its efficient digital trade platforms and flexible warehousing solutions, is helping companies stay one step ahead. E-commerce provides retail minnows and giants with the advantages of increased reach, convenience, broad selection, lower costs, increased customer insights, improved customer experience, and flexibility. This results in increased sales and allows enterprises to gather data on buyers’ behaviour and preferences and adapt their operations based on customer demand and trends.

Before COVID-19, we had only eight e-commerce websites. However, because of the global lockdowns due to the pandemic, we came up with a comprehensive strategy to rigorously adopt e-commerce. Currently, the number of e-stores operated by the group has reached more than 80. The attainment was made possible through the incorporation of Jafza's intelligent digital trade framework.”

We see e-commerce as critical to the trading and retail business and have invested valuable time and resources in e-commerce as a way of staying ahead of our competition. We have seven different e-commerce portals, all offering our customers a positive retail experience as they purchase our products from the comfort of their homes.”

Nasser AlBlooshi Country Manager – UAE at Chalhoub Group

Tony Jashanmal Group President of Jashanmal Group

Landmark Retail uses advanced analytics to identify and predict trends, such as changes in consumer demand, as well as providing insight into improving forecasting and planning.”

E-commerce has witnessed a significant increase in recent years mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have over 100 online sites to complement our brick-and-mortar locations. Despite this, our customers still want to experience our brands first-hand, in our stores.”

We have increased our diversification by launching the UAE’s first logistics fund in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which is managed by Dalma and regulated by Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). With assets primarily in Jafza, the fund will meet the needs of the region’s growing e-commerce industry.”

Ashish Sood Chief Supply Chain Officer at Landmark Group

Tony Arnold Chief Logistics Officer of Alshaya Group

Meher Mirchandani Managing Partner and Head of Corporate at Palmon Group

Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), a leading wellness company, has been continuously expanding its presence in the MENA region, with the support of Jafza since 1989. FHH invested around AED 500 million in areas such as the headquarters in Jafza in Dubai, and the Abu Dhabi converting facility and paper mill. The factory of the company supplies an ever-expanding range of wellness and hygiene products to 14 different countries from the UAE. FHH produces a complete range of jumbo rolls and tissues from the 11 production lines in its UAE base. Its

Our Key Offerings

Fine Hygienic Holding Continues MENA Expansion Thanks to Support from Jafza

annual capacity of raw materials production is approximately 65,000 tonnes, while the total annual tissue capacity is approximately 55,000 tonnes.

Over the past three decades, the company has established a strong foothold in the market, with more than 12 specialised production and distribution facilities across the region. FHH produces a wide range of high-quality hygiene products across nine categories, including facial tissues, toilet paper, napkins, jumbo rolls and baby diapers.

Jafza has assisted FHH through various measures, from 100% ownership to government assistance. This has helped in establishing a smooth operational structure for the company, and it is the reason why FHH products are now available in more than 80 countries across the globe. The free zone’s business-friendly environment, advanced infrastructure, and ease of access to potential markets allowed the wellness company to distribute its products efficiently in the MENA region, escalating its reach and growth.

As part of its ever-expanding portfolio, the company offers an array of hygiene products

Fine Solutions, the B2B arm offers complete hygiene solutions to businesses of all sizes, such as hospitals, hotels, cafes, restaurants, airlines, schools, etc.

Key Milestones

FHH has grown exponentially since its inception. Some notable achievements over the years are highlighted below:

1989

Fine Hygienic Holding established operations in Jebel Ali Free Zone

2019

Fine tissues are endorsed by the Family Hygiene Institute for being the only sterilised tissues in the world

2020

In response to the pandemic, Fine established a USD 2 million relief fund and launched its Fine Guard line

1990

Inaugurated a tissue-converting plant in the UAE

1998

Introduced its award-winning sterilisation technology “SteriPro™”

2004

Entered the Guinness Book of World Records for producing the world’s largest box of tissues

2007

Became the first paper mill in the MENA region to sign the UN Global Compact

2009

2018

Received three awards at the Break the Ceiling Touch the Sky Leonie® Awards

2016

2017

Won Superbrands Award and opened the fifth major paper mill, at Al Nakheel in Abu Dhabi

Fine towel products received the German certificate “ISEGA” for being “safe to use with food”

Named No.1 tissue brand in the Middle East by Forbes Arabia

2021

Received several awards at the Gulf Sustainability Awards, most notably the Gold Award for the Best CSR Initiative Category

2022

Named a Top Employer in the Middle East by the Top Employers Institute, and became a signatory to the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles

2023

Became the official Hygiene Provider for DP World International League T20

We aim to leverage our extensive experience as global leaders in the marine safety industry by providing marine safety services and equipment that comply with international standards

operational in Djibouti Egypt UAE

Now

Providing you with the best service you can get

Life boat services Firefighting services Safety inspection services

RetailME ICONS 2023

14 June 2023

The ADDRESS DUBAI MARINA

THINK! I CAN! is a symposium bringing together retail industry leaders for a full-day program of learning and networking. The event culminates with the ICONS OF RETAIL awards gala, recognising top achievers. It aims to celebrate, inspire, and nurture future leaders in the retail sector.

Connecting Trade Worldwide

18-20 September 2023

DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE

Connecting Trade Worldwide Global (CTW Global) will be the first International Trade Services Expo, connecting local SMEs with innovative manufacturers and stakeholders in the Middle East and Africa. The latest CTW Global edition will focus on lucrative opportunities in the UAE and GCC markets.

Brands of India

27-29 November 2023

DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE

Brands of India will showcase an impressive selection of 150 leading Indian brands, offering a platform for them to present their latest collections to visiting international retailers. Retailers from the UAE, GCC countries, the African continent, and Europe will have the opportunity to explore and engage with these diverse Indian brands, fostering connections and potential business collaborations.

China Home Life

13-15 June 2023

DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE

This event facilitates productive meetings between buyers and suppliers, providing opportunities to strike deals on a wide range of products and take advantage of significant discounts. Popular product categories include furniture, home appliances, machinery, and auto parts, as well as building materials, consumer electronics, textiles and garments, household items, and gifts. For importers and wholesalers operating in the MENA region, this event presents a superb opportunity to source the newest products directly from Chinese manufacturers, without the need to travel to China.

Sleep Expo

5-7 September 2023

DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE

Sleep Expo Middle East is the only event in the region dedicated to the mattress, linen, and bed market. It brings together leading brands and emerging players to showcase innovations. The expo features Sleep Tech and Sleep Care segments, highlighting raw materials, machinery, and the holistic sleep experience market.

12th Middle East Retail Forum

12 October 2023

Dubai, UAE

The Middle East Retail Forum, which started in 2012, is a gathering for industry leaders to shape the future of retail in the region and beyond. This year, they will discuss innovations and transformations, featuring panel discussions, research presentations, and keynote speeches.

Now operational in Djibouti Egypt UAE

We aim to leverage our extensive experience as global leaders in the marine safety industry by providing marine safety services and equipment that comply with international standards

Providing you with the best service you can get

Life boat services Firefighting services Safety inspection services

450,000

فاـــضأو

ديدعلل اًقوثوم ايراجت اًكيرش اننوك ،عسوتلل ىدم ىلع تايسنجلا ةددعتم تاكرشلا نم

،كلذ قيقحتلو ،ةيضاملا ةسمخلا دوقعلا

،يلع لبج يف اديدج اعدوتسم انأشنأ

ططخنو ،عــبرــم رتم 4,000 هتحاسم

عسوتلا ةيبلتل

،فاقسلا رمع لاق ،بناجلا اذه لوح

ةعومجمل ةــيراــجــتــلا ةــملاــعــلا

اًقوس مويلا يبد ربتعُت“ :جيلخلا

ةيساطرقلا تاجتنم يدروــمــل

يتلا ةعساولا اهتكبش لضفب ،بتاكملا

دح ىلع ةلمجلاو ةئزجتلا راجت نم لاك مضت

عاطقل ةيلاثم ةصنم لّكشت ةراملإاف ؛ءاوس

ىـــلإ لوــصوــلــل رــيدــصــتــلا ةداــــعإ

NAVIGO MCL Extra

NAVIGO MCL Extra shows excellent piston cleanliness on E.R. TALINN at end of trial inspection in Februar y 20

Reinforcing reliability and efficiency of processes

؛تارامثتسلاا ةعونتمو مجحلا ةلئاه

،يراقعلا ريوطتلاو ،نجاودلا جاتنإو ،عينصتلا

ةفاضإ ،قداــنــفــلاو ةفايضلا

رطق نــم لــك يــف ،اهئلامع ةــياــعرو ةــمدــخ

ةيبرعلا ةكلمملاو نامعو تيوكلاو نيرحبلاو .ةيدوعسلا

ىلع ةريبك تلاوحت سللا ةعومجم تدهش

ةحاسملا غلبت مويلاو ،اهلمع تاونس ىدم

ةكرشلل ةعباتلا ةئزجتلا رجاتمل ةيلامجلإا

ىلع

،ةينورتكللإا ةراجتلل »موك

يف تاميقملا تلاماعلا ىلع يئاذغ

ةقطنم يــف ديدجلا تاديسلا نكس

ةيئاذغ دورط عيزوت مت امك ،يلع لبج

صيلختلا عمجم يــف تانحاشلا يقئاس

يب يد« ـل عباتلا 3 مقر ةباوبلا دنع يكرمجلا .يلع لبج يف

يــضاــمــلا ماــعــلا هردق اومن ةققحم ،يتارامإ مهرد نويليرت انماهسإب رخفنو ،يونس ساسأ ىلع 17% انلذب دقف ،مهملا

يراجتلا انزكرم للاخ نم ةراجتلا ةكرح قفدت .»يلع لبج يف دئارلا يتسجوللاو

ظوحلملا عافترلاا ىدأ« :ناثيمد نب فاضأو

ةلجسملا ةديدجلا ةينيصلا تاكرشلا ددع يف

ةراــجــتــلا وــمــن يــف يــضاــمــلا ماــعــلا للاـــخ

264.5 اهتميق غلبتل ةينيصلا ةــيــتاراــملإا

يف ةداــيزــلا نأ امك ،يــتاراــمإ مــهرد

طاشنلا يفاعت دكؤي ام ،2022 ماعلا يف قرشلا ةقطنم نم بلطلا ةداــيزو يراجتلا تاوــنــســلا يــفــف .ةــحــئاــجــلا دــعــب ىــصــقلأا نــيــصــلاو تاراـــــملإا ةــــلود تززــــع ةرـــيـــخلأا مازحلا« ةردابم للاخ نم ةيراجتلا امهتاقلاع ةيداصتقلاا ةكارشلا ةيقافتاو ،»قيرطلاو .نيدلبلا نيب ةلماشلا ةيدنهلا تاكرشلل يلامجلإا ددعلا عفتراو ةنراقم 30% ةبسنب ةلجسملا ةدــيدــجــلا تارداــبــمــلا تدــعاــس دـــقو

،يونس ساـــسأ ىلع 30% هردـــق ومنب يف ةلماعلا تاكرشلل يلامجلإا ددعلا غلبيل ةكرش 9,500 ىلع ديزي ام ةرحلا ةقطنملا صرفلا قلخ ىلع ازفاج تلمعو .2022 ماع ،ةيداصتقلاا تاعاطقلا فلتخمل ةزيمتملا ،ةلماكتملا ةيتسجوللا اهلولح للاــخ نــم ناكمإ ريفوتو ،ةيمقرلا ةراجتلل اهتاصنمو ـل ةطبارتملا ةيملاعلا ةكبشلا ىلإ لوصولا ىهاضي لا امعد رفوي ام ،»دلرو يب يد« لحارم عيمج ربع ةــيــكذــلا ةراــجــتــلا نيكمتل .ديروتلا لسلاس

تاعاطقلا فلتخمل يلاثم لامعأ