The Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) in the UAE says it provides the ideal base for companies wishing to cash in on a construction boom in the Middle East.

"The construction industry, despite a slowdown in the late 1990s, is once again showing overall strong growth and is now a very important industry throughout the whole of the Middle East," says a JAFZ spokesman.

"On a regional level, hotels, convention centres, infrastructure projects, airports, hospitals, office buildings and residential projects are all helping drive the construction and related industries."

"The Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZ) in Dubai," he continues, "is ideally situated to tap into the Middle East's construction sector, offering a unique opportunity to do business from the Gulf at unbeatable tax and business incentives.

"Built around the world's largest man-made port, Jebel Ali was initially seen as the ideal base for multinationals to warehouse and distribute their products in the Gulf that provides access to a market of over 2 billion consumers.

"Over the years, the range of industries has grown from distribution to include the whole spectrum of manufacturing, trading and services and the market has grown to cover all the Middle East, the Asian sub-continent, Africa and the markets of the CIS. Europe and the Far East too can be reached very cost-effectively from Jebel Ali. Due to Dubai's traditional trade links with its neighbours, shippers are keen to capitalise on Dubai's proven distribution capabilities.

"Stable regulations and the pro-business environment of Dubai makes this free zone one of the fastest-growing in the world. The Jebel Ali Free Zone is now home to over 2,200 companies from over 100 countries around the world."

Jebel Ali Free Zone has attracted more than 200 companies that are active in construction-related industries covering all spectrums, from heavy machinery and parts to building materials and air-conditioning equipment.

"The estimated size of the UAE market alone for some of these sectors gives an indication of why so many construction-related companies have chosen JAFZ as their base to cover the region," says the spokesman. "Building products and materials is worth $3 billion, heavy construction machinery $700 million and air-conditioning and ventilation $500 million."

"The merger of Dubai Ports Authority, Customs Department and Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority to form the Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) plays a strategic role in efforts to surpass expectations," he says. "By utilising the corporation's combined resources in the most economical way, it creates an ideal opportunity for the exchange of information and a greater chance to benefit from shared expertise in the areas of marketing, technology and management, thereby creating even further value-added services for customers."

"Dubai is the preferred regional headquarters for many multinational organisations and home to a thriving commercial community. By building a stronger entity, the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation also empowers organisations to face up to growing market demands, while enhancing Dubai's business credibility at both a regional and international level," the spokesman adds.