DAFZA participates International Logistics and Material Handling Exhibition

The Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) participated at the 19th International Logistics and Material Handling Exhibition (SIL) in Barcelona, Spain.
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Íñigo de la Serna, Spain’s Minister of Public Works and Transport; Josep Rull, the Catalan Minister of Territory and Sustainability; Jordi Cornet, President of Barcelona Free Zone; and H.E. Salem Rashid Al Owais, UAE Consul General in Barcelona, inaugurated DAFZA’s pavilion during the exhibition. DAFZA’s participation in the event aimed to help increase foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities between the Freezone and investors from Spain and the other participating countries.

During its participation, DAFZA organised a seminar on foreign investments under the theme ‘Boost your business from Dubai to the World.’ It featured the UAE’s strong economic performance, Expo 2020-related opportunities, and the region’s rising logistics sector. DAFZA, one of the world’s most competitive free zones, took the opportunity to present its broader range of investment incentives, distinct and diverse business offerings, and successful efforts to establish good relations with foreign investors from Europe and the rest of the world. To date, an estimated 27 per cent of the total companies operating in DAFZA are from Europe.

DAFZA’s officials also met with high-level officials from the Chamber of Commerce in Barcelona and the Barcelona Foundation for Halal Services to discuss cooperation and support among parties. DAFZA presented investment opportunities for the Catalan business community as well, which will give them an access to the Middle East and Central Asia markets through Dubai and DAFZA particularly

DAFZA said it is keen on attracting Catalan business leaders, noting that Catalonia is a major contributor to Spain’s gross domestic product (GDP). According to statistics, Catalonia accounted for about 20 per cent, or an equivalent of 223.6 billion euros, of Spain’s total GDP in 2016.   

Abdulaziz Al Hammadi, manager of marketing, DAFZA said: “DAFZA took part in this global exhibition to attract the Catalan business community as part of our full support for the UAE’s economic diversification policy over the past 20 years of Dubai Airport Freezone's success. A number of leading international companies, including top Spanish businesses, have chosen Dubai, a regional business hub, as the center of their operations in the Gulf, the Middle East, and Asia.”