At the Big 5 show this month, the Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA) – which provides an international gateway to business opportunities in East Coast region of the UAE – will highlight the investment potential and incentives it offers for businesses that intend to open up in Fujairah.

With the government’s new liberalised procedures, the FFZA’s customer-friendly policies and the well-structured infrastructure in the region, opportunities abound in the field of trading, services, logistics and manufacturing, says a spokesman for the authority.
 “Fujairah’s general infrastructure and the creation of the multi-million-dollar Logistics Park – which provides excellent support for entrepreneurs to build, grow and diversify – will spur new trade and business opportunities and hence an economic growth not only within the Emirate but the entire Middle East region,” says, Shareif Habib Al Awadhi, FFZA’s director general.
“Around 50,000 sq m of the facility is anticipated to be ready within a year’s time with interested investors from various industries already having booked space in the region,” he adds.
FFZA has reported a vibrant growth in the last six months, having reached a target of almost 60 per cent by registering at least 150 new companies that are using different facilities like offices, warehouses, and customised units. The tenancy occupation by various investors for the newly-completed 12,000 sq m warehouses, where became operational last month, is 100 per cent. In the meanwhile, reservations currently being made for the Logistics Park.
“Pre-approvals are also being given to international companies to set up in Fujairah in the coming months and we are hoping that the Big 5 show will help us to promote this zone to further investors. With the new projects that the government has signed with the energy-related sectors, we are optimistic that Fujairah will also be able to cater to heavy engineering projects in the Al Hayl area,” he adds.
The increase of foreign investors to Fujairah recently can be attributed to the emirate’s open sky policy. “We do not believe in red-tape bureaucracy. FFZA offers many unparalleled advantages that include relatively cheap labour and superlative infrastructure services amd range of facilities and privileges given to the ordinary investor. The FFZA offers a complete package to potential businessmen, in terms of efficient transactions, excellent tax rebates and the repatriation of capital and gains and other commercial benefits,” Al Awadhi says.
“FFZA’s new motto of ‘Save millions to earn millions’ is drawing the attention of many investors in the Middle East, who are pulling out from other free zones to set up base at Fujairah. Besides a conducive investment environment, it has the added advantage of offering a convenient one-hour licensing policy that is unmatched by any other free zone in the UAE,” he adds. “Unlike other free zones, FFZA also plays a unique role in promoting business in the emirate as it is rapidly becoming recognised as a customer-friendly zone, offering technical advice, conducting feasibility studies and helping fledging businesses to overcome barriers and develop their full potential.”
FFZA is currently focusing on growth strategies, and in addition to the Big 5 show in Dubai, its plan for the rest of this year also includes participation in exhibitions in Turkey, UK, India, and South Africa. Its focus will be on attracting industrial investments, which will act as ancillary to mega projects in the petrochemicals, cylinders, steel and seamless pipes and other related industries,” explained Al Awadhi.