Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) contributes a significant portion of Dubai's total foreign direct investment. Thanks to its strategic location at the crossroads of global trade, Jebel Ali Port and JAFZA offer a comprehensive multimodal transport system, including maritime, air, and land transport, as well as extensive logistics facilities with direct access to markets of over 3.5 billion consumers. JAFZA serves as a trade and business hub between the continents of Asia, Europe, and Africa, connecting the world's fastest-growing manufacturing and consumer markets. Over four decades, JAFZA has fostered a culture of long-term relationships with clients, building alliances with global investors, and providing the best infrastructure and the highest levels of support. JAFZA offers multinational corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within and outside the UAE exceptional opportunities for growth and access to regional markets, while business incubators provide significant support for SMEs to establish their businesses and enter regional markets at minimal cost. The sectors covered by JAFZA include logistics, automotive and spare parts, electronics and electricals, fast-moving consumer goods, petrochemicals, retail and e-commerce, healthcare and pharmaceutical distribution, as well as food and beverages. JAFZA is distinguished by its digital systems that control all its facilities and automated assets. The integrated system for the Jebel Ali commercial and logistics hub includes digital port management systems equipped with sensors and IoT devices, autonomous trucks, remotely operated cranes, smart gates, and AI-enhanced applications. By the end of 2025, 11,472 companies were operating in JAFZA. According to a document obtained by 'Emirates Today' from Dubai World Ports, JAFZA recorded a strong increase in the number of new companies joining the zone last year, with over 800 new companies, bringing the total number of companies operating in JAFZA to 11,472 by the end of 2025. Facilities within the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) also recorded high occupancy rates, with warehouse and storage occupancy reaching a record 94% by the end of 2025, and a land occupancy rate of 93%. JAFZA's advanced infrastructure spans over 539 million square feet, providing multi-modal connectivity via sea, air, and land, making the JAFZA and port system one of the most advanced logistics centers in the world. JAFZA is one of the world's largest free trade zones and is home to thousands of companies from more than 150 countries, including major multinational corporations. These systems are integrated with its advanced electronic platforms to facilitate digital commerce and logistics services.
