Dubai’s Jafza healthcare, pharma customer base grows 12%

Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) witnessed a 12 per cent growth in its healthcare and pharmaceuticals customer base between 2019-2020.

As one of the most important contributing sectors to the free zone, the healthcare and pharmaceuticals segment is one of the key economic pillars in Jafza. Spanning an area of around 170,000 sqm, and currently, housing 174 companies from 41 countries, the segment provides jobs to 1,100 employees. In 2019, the volume of trade in the segment stood at 25,000 metric tonnes, valued at Dhs900m.

The free zone can support indigenous manufacturing for the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector, and has facilities dedicated to the storage of ancillary vaccine preparation and administration items.

The Jebel Ali Port also has temperature-controlled warehouses and also consists of nearly 10,000 reefer points spread across the terminals to power refrigerated containers and support the pharmaceutical trade, according to state-run news agency WAM.

Pharma companies operating within the free zone can also avail of facilities like on-demand warehouses for short term lease with multi-functional storage options, no VAT or customs duties and cost-effective transport services for ease of accessibility and to enable speedier deliveries.

“The boom in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals segment in Jafza has highlighted the core competencies of the sector in the Middle East and the seamless connectivity DP World, UAE Region offers to over 3.5 billion consumers through the highly efficient trade and logistics hub in Jebel Ali, which includes Jafza and the Jebel Ali Port,” said Abdulla bin Damithan, CEO and managing director, DP World – UAE Region and Jafza.

“Our trade and logistics hub has expedited global distribution of Covid-19 equipment and played a key role in the Dubai Vaccine Logistics Alliance, an initiative launched in January 2021. As a smart trade enabler, we have ensured a flawless supply chain throughout 2020, irrespective of the dynamic market conditions.”

DP World, UAE Region and Jafza will participate in Arab Health 2021 event that will be held in the Dubai World Trade Centre this week.

DP World, UAE Region’s and Jafza’s participation at Arab Health 2021 will open new avenues of growth for companies, further adding value to the economy of the country.