The Sunday Mail
Golden Sibanda recently in Dubai, UAE
THE Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) has expressed willingness to assist Zimbabwean firms establish operations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s leading special economic zone, as the country seeks to grow its trade and exports into the gulf region.
This followed a tour of the free zone by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga recently, accompanied by a high powered Government delegation of five Cabinet ministers, including Professor Mthuli Ncube, Minister of Finance and Economic Development and Dr Sekai Nzenza, Minister of Industry and Commerce.
VP Chiwenga and his entourage, who were in the UAE for the Global Business Forum Africa, which ran on the sidelines of Expo 2020 Dubai for two days, were given a presentation on the operations of DAFZA’s special economic zone area.
Zimbabwe is among 192 countries exhibiting at one of the world’s largest and most exquisite global exhibitions ever. Expo 2020 Dubai Commissioner General Ambassador Mary Mubi, has been commended for putting together a splendid showcase for the country.
The country is seeking to promote trade and attract investment into key sectors of the economy, as well as retell the narrative about the situation and opportunities in the country. Zimbabwe’s exhibition cuts across its history, opportunities, human resources and vision.
Apart from DAFZA tour, the VP held meetings with Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, leading horticultural produce marketing company Ali Gholami, global supply chains and logistics firm DP World, pharmaceutical giant Intrapharm and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.
DAFZA assistant director general, Ms Amnah Lootah, delivered a detailed presentation unpacking the benefits of the free zone, which in 2020 accounted for 10 percent of Dubai’s total trade amounting to 119 billion dirhams.
These, she said, included strategic location, world class infrastructure and cargo handling facilities, dedicated logistics centre, smart service platform and 100 percent company ownership.
Further, she listed the advantages and benefits of DAFZA provision for 100 percent repatriation of capital and profits, no currency or employment restrictions, no corporate tax, no income tax and Value Added Tax exemptions.
Minister Ncube then enquired if DAFZA could facilitate the creation of a portal through which Zimbabwe could market products from small to medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as a facility through which the country could export fresh produce to Dubai and the rest of the gulf region.
In response DAFZA director (marketing and corporate communications) Abdulaziz Al Hammadi, explained further details of how the free zone worked, including the extent of its authority and relations with the local and federal government.
“DAFZA is considered to be one of the biggest contributors to the Dubai Economy (US$102 billion GDP), when it comes to food and beverages, DAFZA’s contribution to total trade is around 4 percent.
“In regards to pharmaceuticals, its contribution is around 2 percent because most of them use the facilities here for transit purposes,” he said.
Plans were also afoot, he indicated, to establish a facility for food and beverage firms and pharmaceuticals, which will offer multiple and scalable logistics to schedule a business as they wish, and this would entail warehousing and refrigeration infrastructure.
DAFZA, the only free zone in Dubai that works 24\7, is also negotiating with municipality authorities in the UAE to establish offices with the free zone so that all compliance issues can be done expeditiously and efficiently within its premises and in one place.
“That is what we are doing right now, we would like to take Zimbabwe businesses to grow their exports through logistical support,” he said, adding DAFZA already had good relations “with many logistics companies, including leading global supply chains managers DP World.
Dubai Commercity, a free zone area (specialising in e-commerce) operated by, attached to and working under DAFZA, chief operating officer (COO) Forster deVere, said the zone could help Zimbabweans brands to extend market reach or establish in Dubai and GCC markets.
“Certainly in Dubai Commercity we provide a facility where many manufacturers would like to bring their products into the GCC market, stores within Dubai Commercity; so that is the warehousing side. What we can assist the brands of Zimbabwe is (how) to reach their customer.
He said Dubai Commercity could help Zimbabwe brands to list on Dubai and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region’s biggest market platform, Amazon.
Mr deVere also said the Dubai Commercity free zone also worked with a new entrant and second biggest GCC market online retailer, Noon.
“So, we can support the brands of Zimbabwe in terms of listing on these (e-commerce) market places, and we can also support through contact centre, translation. The easy part is bringing the product to the country and then the harder part is reaching the customer and being relevant in terms of content,” he said.
