Jafza’s automotive & spare parts sector trade valued at $5bn

Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), Dubai and the UAE’s flagship trade and logistics hub for the Middle East region, including West Asia, the CIS, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent, will be participating in Automechanika Frankfurt 2016, being held at Messe Frankfurt Exhibition from September 13-17 in Germany.

Jafza will be highlighting the Middle East and Africa’s rapidly growing automotive markets at the international trade fair for sector parts, equipment and service suppliers. As the Middle East’s trade and logistics hub, Jafza seeks to attract more auto industry majors into the Free Zone interested in expanding their presence in the region.

Impressive Growth

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World and Chairman of ‎Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation, ‎said: “The automotive sector in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) continues to ‎post impressive growth rates with international brands keen ‎to be a part of this success by increasing their footprint across the region.‎ According to Frost & Sullivan “a consulting firm”,, total light vehicle sales in the Middle East are ‎estimated to reach 4.4 million by 2020 compared to 3.2 ‎million in 2015. .

“This provides major opportunities for European multinationals in the auto sector and we encourage other majors in Europe to come to Jafza to take advantage. Jafza is the only regional trade and logistics hub in the world which is located between a world-class seaport and an international airport.”

Mr. Bin Sulayem added: “The dynamic growth in the sector reflects the bright prospects for the industry over ‎the next few years . The buoyant mood in the auto sector in the GCC and MENA offer long-term growth opportunities to Jafza based companies as well as multinationals ‎who want to capitalise on the world’s most attractive auto industry market.”

Dynamic, Innovation driven sector

Ibrahim Mohamed Al Janahi, Deputy CEO and Chief Commercial Officer of Jafza, said: “The automotive sector is one of the most dynamic and innovation driven in Jafza. The free zone is currently home to over 620 automotive companies which includes global names such as Honda, Nissan, Ford, GM, Daimler & Chrysler, Caterplllar, Mobis and Schaeffler among others. Jafza Automotive sector generated trade worth USD 5 billion in 2015.”

According to firm Frost & Sullivan,the number of vehicles on the roads in the Middle east and North Africa is forecast to rise to 44.5 million in 2020. This growth is expected to drive demand for parts and ‎accessories with sales in 2020 projected to reach US$17.2 billion ‎compared to $12.98 billion in 2015.

Jafza at Automechanika

Jafza has organised a special Jafza Pavilion at the event providing Jafza based companies with a base to network and get more brand exposure. Leading names already part of the pavilion include Al Shamali Auto Parts, APEX of Gulf, Auto Parts East FZCo, Rolman World, Hella Middle East FZE, Mineral Circles Bearings, KoKoRo Auto Parts FZE, ATS International FZE and Ghassan Aboud General Trading.

Jafza is currently home to over 7000 businesses, including more than 100 Global Fortune 500 enterprises.