Facilities in Dubai ideal for aviation & aerospace industries

Dubai Airport Free Zone showcased the emirate's investment opportunities in the aviation and aerospace industries at the recently concluded Farnborough International Air Show in England.

"Over the years Dubai has developed as a hub for air travel between the East and the West and we are showcasing the opportunities for investment with the developments in aviation and aerospace in the emirate," said Ibrahim Ahli, Director of Marketing Department, and Dubai Airport Free Zone.

Elaborating further he said, "There are synergies that make investment in Dubai very attractive for the aviation and aerospace industry. First of all, our location adjoining the Dubai Airport and the highly developed infrastructure for logistics and cargo operations are particularly attractive to companies that depend on time-sensitive shipments. We also have a one-stop-shop where investors can get all their documentation for licensing, registration and employee sponsorship done, even online."

Ahli noted that Dubai Airport Free Zone is one of the leading Free Zones in the Middle East, and offers unrivalled attractions as a base for doing business in the prosperous and growing markets of one of the world's most rapidly developing regions. 

Ahli also said that the development of Dubai World Central in Jebel Ali and the Dubai Logistics City will add value to Dubai Airport Free Zone and compliment its operations.

"The Farnborough International Airshow is the most prestigious platform for various aviation products and services. Gulf and Middle Eastern carriers became the centre of attraction having firmed up orders worth more than US$ 30 billion," he said.

"This will obviously reflect positively on our business as many of these vendors would seriously consider opening service and maintenance offices closer to their new clients," added Ahli.

Total foreign ownership, total repatriation of capital and the total exemption from corporate, personal income, and commercial levies taxes are key features that have attracted multinational companies to set up office in the Dubai Airport Free Zone.

Outlining the marketing strategy of the Zone Ahli said, "The core business of the Dubai Airport Free Zone is to attract foreign investments associated with aviation, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, jewellery and precious stones into the country. The aviation sector is a fairly large part of our operation representing 14 percent of the total business and attracting some of the world's largest companies in the industry including Boeing, Airbus and Jet-Aviation."

The Dubai airport Free Zone also has a one-stop-shop where investors can get all their documentation for licensing, registration and employee sponsorship done, even online. Another feature of the zone is that companies are allowed to operate 24-hours and provided round-the-clock security.

"Our location within the Dubai International Airport with 135 airlines flying to 210 destinations is indeed a boon for investors," Ahli concluded.

With 48,000 Sq. m. of additional office space being added this year and a further 103,000 Sq. m. planned between 2010 and 2013, the Dubai Airport Free Zone is contributing significantly to making Dubai one of the most vibrant trading hubs in the world.