The milestone underscores the enduring strength of Jafza’s model – a purpose-built ecosystem integrating a major port, world-class logistics infrastructure and business-friendly policies. The free zone has helped Dubai navigate four decades of disruption — from regional conflicts and financial crises to pandemics and today’s global trade tensions.
Established in 1985 as the Middle East’s free zone with just 19 companies, Jafza now hosts more than 11,000 businesses. Its infrastructure connects businesses to over 3.5 billion consumers by sea, air and land.
In the past 20 years alone, Jafza has attracted more than $30 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) to Dubai and alongside Jebel Ali Port created over one million direct and indirect jobs.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and chief executive officer, DP World, said:“It is fitting that Jafza has made its greatest ever contribution to trade in its 40th year. Over the past four decades, it has proven to be an anchor of resilience and now serves as a blueprint for our approach to economic zone development. Whether replicating Jafza’s success or adapting it to local needs, we see every free zone as a platform for shared growth.”
Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO & managing director, DP World GCC, added:“Dubai has undergone one of the most dramatic urban and trade transformations in modern history – from a modest desert town with basic infrastructure to a global metropolis that is considered one of the smartest and most future-ready cities in the world.”