Jebel Ali Free Zone, Jafza, has recently recorded 10.6 per cent growth in the retail and e-commerce sector with a total trade value of AED37.6 billion despite the sudden challenges facing both the regional and global economy.
More than 1,000 companies from 96 countries play a pivotal role in Jafza’s retail and general trading sector. Approximately 39 per cent of these companies are from the Middle East, 30 per cent from Asia, 15 per cent from Europe, nine per cent from North America, seven per cent from Africa and one per cent from Oceania. In total, they employ more than 10,000 personnel and operate across combined facilities that are nearly two million square metres.
Despite the decline of business activity in the region, the shift in technology has introduced a new market segment. The retail community can count on Jafza to support their end-to-end logistics needs through its digital innovations. Jafza improves the flow of sea-to-air cargo by eliminating the processes of exit and entry from one zone to another.
Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region and CEO of Jafza, said, “The e-commerce business sector was issued the highest number of licences in the UAE, during May 2020. The first five months saw a 300 per cent increase in consumer demand for e-commerce services.”
Al Muallem explained, “The recent pandemic has caused a shift in consumer buying habits, a behaviour that impacted a positive outcome proving that the internet is the major catalyst in shaping human lives and digital profiles. DP World has introduced Manasah, an online platform targeting retail in the UAE and the Digital Freight Alliance with its global imprint, an internet marketplace for small- to medium-sized enterprises. We are working closely with these retailers to help transfer their stores into online platforms.”
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