Chinese fly the flag over national pavilion

Dubai, 6 March 2010: China is sending a massive contingency of airport ground support equipment, building material supplies providers and other key industry experts to the Airport Show 2010. For the first time, the country will collectively show its presence through a national pavilion.

The show, which runs from 25-27 April at the Airport Expo Dubai, attracts some of the world’s most influential figures in the sector, and has accounted for billions of dollars worth of contracts since its debut in 2001. More than 10 major Chinese companies have already confirmed their attendance, hoping to benefit from the Middle East and Africa airport market, which is bucking the global trend with 39 airports under construction.

The Chinese exhibitors will showcase a wide range of products and services to help in the development and maintenance of all airport facilities, including Conventional Aircraft Tractor and Towbarless Tractor, Container/Pallet Loader, Aircraft Refuller, Aircraft Conditioning Unit, Airport bus, Airport Firefighting Vehicle, Airport Security Inspection System, Passenger Boarding Bridge System and Airport Friction Measuring System.

Mr. Hongxin Qin, GM of China Civil Aviation Technology & Equipment Corporation Limited (AVITEC), the organizer of the Chinese Pavilion described the event as a great opportunity for China to demonstrate its growth and maturity in the market. “We represent some of the greatest success stories in airport management and development over the last ten years. As an industry, aviation has come into its own, and by default, new airports and new services have grown with it. China now has more than 135 civil airports in 133 cities. We’re no longer on the outside looking in, Chinese companies have a great deal to offer in their own right,” he said.

Airport Show 2010 is supported by leading aviation authorities and trade bodies including ADAC and Dubai Airports.

Mohamad Bader-Eddin, Show Director said: “The Airport Show is an extremely high profile event and is known throughout the world as one of the prime opportunities to conduct airport business. This year’s confirmation of the Chinese National Pavilion is creating even more interest. It is an amazing gathering of companies in an extremely specialized industry with an extremely large volume of business to conduct. We sincerely hope that many of those companies will have fruitful business talks during the show.”

The Airport Show has progressed rapidly to become one of the largest airport construction, operations, technology and services events in the world. The 2009 edition showcased 210 suppliers from 30 countries, over 10,500 sqm of exhibit space, and drew more than 4700 attendees.

OVER 130%  INCREASE IN NO. OF JAPANESE COMPANIES IN DUBAI AIRPORT FZ – NASSER AL MADANI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR GENERAL

Mr.Katsunori Uehara & Mr.Nasser Al Madani

As part of its efforts to make global strategic partnerships to attract more foreign investments, Dubai Airport Freezone has agreed on the cooperation mechanism to exchange experiences in technical& information technology services and commercial operations with Okinawa Free Trade Zone, Japan.

This agreement was endorsed during a visit by a high-level delegation from the Japanese free zone (Okinawa) to Dubai Airport Freezone yesterday.

Mr. Nasser Al Madani, Assistant Director-General Dubai Airport Freezone yesterday met with the Senior Executive officials from the Okinawa Free Trade Zone, to brief them on the services and facilities provided by the Dubai Airport Freezone.

The Dubai officials were given a briefing by the Japanese delegation on the quality of services provided by the Okinawa free zone to foreign investors.

“The visit of Okinawa Free Trade zone delegation is part of Freezone strategy to benchmark its processes, quality of services and facilities we to our clients,” Al Madani said.

“It is essential to mirror our services in comparisons with other free zones, he added.

This will enable us to take advantage of these measurements for more common improvement and outstanding performance”, Al Madani added.

“We are confident that we have unique expertise and knowledge in the field of free zones thanks to continuous support of officials in the government of Dubai.

“This helps us to provide new ideas for other free zones and take what can benefit us from them”.

Al Madani added that Japan is an advanced industrial country, but it entered free zones industry recently. “Our expertise and capabilities in Dubai will add a lot to them while cooperation with Okinawa Free Zone is an appropriate factor of attraction to Dubai Airport Freezone for Japanese investors.”

He said that out of 1.500 international companies many Japanese companies are now operating in the Freezone in various investment activities with an increase over 130% during 2009 compared to the previous year which indicates a growing volume of economic exchanges between the two countries “.

Katsunori Uehara, Deputy Director-General of the Tourism Department and Free Zones, the Okinawa Prefectural Government said: “The main purpose of our visit to the Dubai Airport Freezone is to take advantage of its extensive experience with which it managed to attract established companies from all over the world and Japan”.

“Dubai Airport Freezone was established more than three years before us, as Okinawa free zone was established in 1999, making us more anxious to identify the achievements and challenges during this period, thereby benefiting from the results of this profound experience,” Uehara said.

“With its two sections Okinawa free zone, that covers 122 hectares around the port and 26 hectares around Okinawa Airport, hopes for fruitful cooperation with the Dubai Airport Freezone in the fields of information technology services,” Uehara added.

Uehara said “We aim to attract foreign companies. The services and facilities we have seen here in Dubai confirms the success of this mega project which attracted large number of multinational investment firms”

“Through Dubai Airport Freezone we shall seek to create a strategic partnership between us and the UAE investors who want to invest in Japan.”

In conclusion, the delegation toured the facilities of the Freezone, accompanied by Dubai Airport  officials.

ORIENTATION TO BE HELD ON MARCH 2 AT FREEZONE MAIN OFFICE

United  Arab Emirates, Dubai,28 February, 2010 – The Dubai Airport Freezone has announced that it will be receiving nominations for the 2nd Annual Dubai Airport Freezone Business Awards in the Environment (Eco Award), Health and Safety  categories within April 10 as the last date of receiving applications, disclosed Yousuf Behzad, Executive Director, Human Capital & Strategy, Dubai Airport Free Zone.

An orientation session is scheduled to be held on Tuesday 2 March, 2010 for company representatives from 10.30 am to 12 noon at the Freezone Head Office, 8th floor.

“The key objective of instituting the Award since 2009 is to honor businesses committed to safety and environment management and provide informative insights to help our clients turn their operation green,” said Behzad.

“This is in line with the declared policy of the Free Zone to ensure that we are committed to preserve the environment and protect the health and safety of all people working in the Free Zone,” he added.

“Companies registered and operating within the Freezone are eligible to win one or both of the following awards.”

“Eco Award recognizes the commitment of the management and staff of organizations towards the environment, while Health and Safety award honours the principles, processes, practices and proven results of organizations in creating safer workplaces, explained Behzad.

“Companies participating in the Awards stand to gain many benefits including an opportunity to bench mark their commitment to safety and environment , recognition of excellence and an opportunity to celebrate achievements, said Behzad.

”We are proud to call upon all tenants to share with us in the move towards improving our business environment and create an interactive platform and knowledge sharing between all our clients.”

“The winners of the first Business Award of Environment and Health & Safety Categories held last year were Airbus Middle East and Iguzzini Lighting Manufacturer, he added.

To confirm your attendance, please send an email to businessaward@dafz.ae or contact Ms. Yasmin Karam, Strategy and Excellence Department, Dubai Airport Freezone on Tel. 04-202 7112,   or 04-202 7026 no later than February 28, 2010.

Proposal subject to ratification at AGM to be held on March 18, 2010

Sharjah, UAE; February 17, 2010: Following a meeting today of the Board of Directors of Air Arabia (PJSC), the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier, the company announced that the Board has proposed a cash dividend of 10 per cent for 2009. This proposal is subject to ratification at the company’s upcoming Annual General Meeting, which will be held on March 18, 2010, in Sharjah, UAE.

This announcement follows the recent release of Air Arabia’s financial results for the 12 months ending December 31, 2009. For the full year, the carrier demonstrated continued profitability and very high levels of efficiency during an enormously challenging period for airlines worldwide.

Ranked first on the Top Performing Companies chart as the best low-cost carrier globally in a study conducted in 2009 by Aviation Week magazine, Air Arabia currently serves 60 destinations across the world from its hubs in Sharjah and Casablanca. The region’s first and largest low-cost carrier has also been named “Low-Cost Carrier of the Year” by a number of leading aviation bodies.

Last year, Air Arabia announced the signing of a joint venture agreement with the Travco Group to launch a new low-cost carrier based in Egypt, serving the Europe, Middle East and Africa markets and representing the carrier’s third hub after the UAE and Morocco. Operations at the third hub in Egypt are anticipated to begin in the first half of 2010.

Dubai Airport Freezone, a multipurpose Freezone, will be participating in Gulf Food exhibition to be held February 21 to 24 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Ibrahim Ahli, Marketing Director, Dubai Airport Freezone, said. “Exhibitions are strong marketing vehicles and strategic platform for companies and service providers to showcase their products and hence we take the opportunity to display our unique facilities and services to the international investors and leaders of the world’s top companies who will congregate in Dubai during the exhibitions’ seasons.”

“Food Industry has become one of the most significant industries in the world with many new companies developing methodologies in food making, processing and packaging,” added Ahli

He added that the Freezone regularly participates in exhibitions “where we see potential for us and our clients with an objective to meet with big food manufacturers, distributors and suppliers to introduce our facilities and services” said Mr. Ahli.

More than forty of the world’s leading companies in food manufacturing are operating within the Freezone,  these include Heinz Africa & Middle East, Applebee’s UK, Red Bull Asia, Hershey Middle East and Irish Diary Board Middle East.”

Dubai Airport Freezone’s 36 sqm Stand is strategically located in the Exhibition Hall CC6- 25.

• Annual turnover stands at AED 2 billion; passenger traffic exceeds 4.1 million; load factor reaches 80 per cent
• Region’s leading low-cost carrier continues organic expansion; looks to launch third hub in first half of 2010

Sharjah, UAE; February 13, 2010: Air Arabia (PJSC), the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier, announced today its financial results for the 12 months ending December 31, 2009, demonstrating continued profitability and very high levels of efficiency during an enormously challenging period for airlines worldwide.

Air Arabia’s net profit for the 12 months ending December 31, 2009, stood at AED 452 million, sustaining 2008 strong performance of AED 454 million (excluding exceptional items).  For the full-year 2009, the company registered a turnover of AED 2 billion, decline of 4.5 per cent from AED 2.066 billion recorded in 2008.

The airline served 4.1 million passengers in 2009, an increase of 14.2 per cent compared to 3.6 million passengers in 2008. In the 12 months ending December 31, 2009, Air Arabia’s average seat load factor – or passengers carried as a percentage of available seats – stood at an extremely impressive 80 per cent.

Commenting on the company’s results, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, said: “The previous 12 months represented one of the most challenging periods in the history of the global aviation sector, as pressure on yields increased significantly as a consequence of the worldwide financial crisis. The associated overcapacity in the sector led to collective losses of roughly US$11 billion for all global airlines, demonstrating the depth of the challenges facing our industry.”

“During that time of great instability, Air Arabia nevertheless continued to chart a path to profitability,” he added, “and we are all very proud of the sustainable financial results announced today. Based on the strength of our unique business model, efficiency of our operations and compelling value-for-money customer proposition, Air Arabia has been able to navigate the current challenges and invest in its long-term growth.”

“We are confident that Middle East and North Africa region is capable of leading the global recovery, and our outlook for this year therefore remains cautiously positive,” Sheikh Abdullah said. “In 2010, we will continue to focus on doing what we do best – providing our customers with the most competitive fares, greatest number of destinations and highest-quality services – and are confident that this will be reflected in our ongoing growth and overall expansion.”

Ranked first on the Top Performing Companies chart as the best low-cost carrier globally in a study conducted in 2009 by Aviation Week magazine, Air Arabia currently serves 59 destinations across the world from its hubs in Sharjah and Casablanca. The region’s first and largest low-cost carrier has also been named “Low-Cost Carrier of the Year” by a number of leading aviation bodies.

Last year, Air Arabia announced the signing of a joint venture agreement with the Travco Group to launch a new low-cost carrier based in Egypt, serving the Europe, Middle East and Africa markets and representing the carrier’s third hub after the UAE and Morocco. Operations at the third hub in Egypt are anticipated to begin in the first half of 2010.

• Sponsorship in association with BMI Bank and Audi Bahrain
• Adventure to include races in 12 international regattas and championships over 10 months
• Air Arabia sponsors sport of sailing for third time

Sharjah, February 9, 2010: As further testimony to its commitment to developing sports in the region, Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, in association with BMI Bank, the Bahrain based associate of Bank Muscat, and Audi Bahrain, announced today the launch of the “2010 Air Arabia Sailing Adventure.” The adventure includes sponsorship of Air Arabia pilot and Olympic sailor Sami Al Kooheji in his bid to compete in the 2010 Asian Games to be held in the city of Guangzhou in China next November.

As part of the “2010 Air Arabia Sailing Adventure” and in order to qualify for the 2010 Asian Games, 25 year-old Al Kooheji will launch his campaign today. He will compete in 12 international regattas and training camps in the GCC, Europe and Asia, which will also include the 2010 World Championships to be held in the United Kingdom at Haling Island in August. These thrilling challenges will test Al Kooheji’s strategy, strength and skill to be fully prepared for the 2010 Asian Games to be held in China.

Air Arabia’s initial involvement in the sport of sailing began in 2007, when it sponsored Al Kooheji, who competed in the 2004 Olympic Games to take part in the “2007 Air Arabia World Endurance Challenge,” an unprecedented 550-kilometre non-stop solo voyage in a small laser sail boat from Bahrain to Dubai, where he achieved a new world record. In 2009, the airline then went on to sponsor Bahrain’s National Sailing team for two international regattas in Mumbai. The team named “Bahrain Team Air Arabia” was ranked fifth overall in the championships.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the launch of the 2010 Air Arabia Sailing Adventure along side BMI Bank and Audi Bahrain,” said AK Nizar, Head of Commercial, Air Arabia. “At Air Arabia, we believe that sports play an integral role in today’s society, promoting values such as dedication, determination, competition and good sportsmanship. Air Arabia’s commitment to the sport of sailing has been growing year after the other and we are proud to once again support Sami in his run to the Asian Olympic Games.”

BMI Bank and Audi Bahrain signed on with title sponsors Air Arabia recently. “We are delighted to strategically partner Sami in his new campaign. Our key pillars at BMI Bank include innovation, inspiration, teamwork, integrity and customer satisfaction. As a Bahraini Olympian, Sami represents all these values which is one of the reasons we proud to support his campaign,” said Andrew Bainbridge, Chief Executive Officer of BMI Bank.

Running in tandem with the “2010 Air Arabia Sailing Adventure” Sami will be acting as an ambassador of “Think Pink” campaign to promote breast cancer awareness in the GCC. Sami’s campaign will also be partnered and assisted by the Bahrain Maritime Sports Association, Team Pindar, Sail Bahrain and GAC.

The first regatta on the campaign titled “Sail the Gulf” will take place in Doha, Qatar on February 16th, 2010. 

Airbus Middle East has signed a two-year contract to provide administration and business centre services to HAAS MENA-India at their Dubai Airport Freezone premises.

Haas TCM is a global chemical management services company who streamline and manage the chemical life cycle for customers with superior and innovative supply chain, process, and information management systems.

“Haas MENA-India FZE is pleased to have signed a lease with Airbus Middle East for office space that will serve as our sales and operations center”, said Stan L. Klocek, Jr, Executive Vice President.  “This marks the strengthening of the Haas MENA-India FZE relationship with Airbus Middle East and our new establishment will be the cornerstone of our operations throughout the Middle East Region.”

“Working closely with Airbus is a key part of the overall expansion of our business of providing chemical supply chain and management services to the aerospace industry.”
 
Joerg Helmerichs, Senior Director of the Airbus Material and Logistics Centre, said the signing of the contract marks the beginning of a long-term commercial relationship between the two companies. “We are proud of the confidence displayed by HAAS TCM in joining our Vendor Village, a partnership that reinforces Airbus’ commitment to serve the airline industry in the Middle East,” he added.
 
The Airbus Material and Logistics Centre at the Dubai Airport Free Zone was officially opened in April 2008, giving Airbus closer access to customers and creating a quicker response to their needs.

“The Dubai Airport Freezone management congratulates Airbus Parts Distribution and Haas MENA-India FZE on their new partnership that is expected to enhance the ability of both companies to do business in the Middle East,” said Mr. Nasser Madani, Assistant Director General of the Dubai Airport Freezone.”

New Chief Executive Officer Appointed at Tawam Hospital

The Freezone contributes 2.2% to Dubai’s GDP

Ahmed bin Saeed: “

We shall continue to implement our development plans”

United Arab Emirates, Dubai, (January 31, 2010) - Dubai Airport Freezone recorded remarkable growth rates in 2009 compared to the previous year with the revenue rising by 30% part of which has come as a result of considerable expansion in office space by major European and American companies based in the Free zone. 

H.E Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Airport Freezone, said that “The Freezone’s contribution to GDP, for Dubai has exceeded 2.2% in 2007 assuring the importance of free zones to attract foreign investment and boost the local economy.

Shiekh Ahmed also said that the “Freezone results in 2009 gives a positive indication about the emirate’s ability to achieve good results during the coming period and also indicates increasing willingness of foreign firms to operate from Dubai.”

“It is no doubt that the global financial crisis has affected the world economic activities, but free zones around the world and in particular Dubai Airport Freezone has benefited great deal from these exceptional circumstances and turned them into positive opportunities opening its doors to foreign companies seeking to expand their markets to distribute their products in the Middle East and beyond.”

He added that the Freezone provides many advantages and incentives that meet the needs of foreign companies.

Sheikh Ahmed said that the Freezone is expanding its capacity due to increasing demand. “Expansion plans in 2010, which is to provide extra office spaces, is on track. The project, West Wing No 7 is near completion, and it will be ready for tenants to move in by the first quarter of next year”.

He said that the Dubai Airport Freezone has been able to achieve the objectives of its establishment as it attracted many global companies in 2009. These global companies represented  more than 20% of the total registered companies, such as Hubbell Incorporated from the U.S.  Symriyse from Germany, Saqem Communication from France and Idemitsu Lube from Japan, bringing the number of registered companies in the Freezone to 1490 companies.

“The Dubai Airport Freezone plays a vital and strategic role in attracting international companies that support our drive for knowledge-based economy. Dubai Airport Freezone focuses on attracting qualitative investments that add value to the economy of Dubai as a whole.”

He added that the growth rates of European, American and Japanese companies in the Dubai Airport Freezone encourages us to communicate with those markets and try to attract more of them. European companies in the Freezone represent 34% of the operating companies in various sectors, while U.S. companies represent 8%. Japanese companies had shown remarkable presence during the year 2009 increasing their number by 130%.  

“We call on more Turkish companies to come and take advantage of investment opportunities at the Dubai Airport Freezone.” – DR. MOHAMMED AL ZAROUNI, DIRECTOR GENERAL, DUBAI AIRPORT FREEZONE

Mr. Ibrahim Caglar & Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarouni, Director General of Dubai Airport Freezone, called on Turkish businessmen to open up the Turkish market and take advantage of investment opportunities in the Middle East.

Al Zarouni made this comment after welcoming a high-level Turkish delegation led by Ibrahim Caglar, Chairman of Assembly of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce. He was accompanied on the visit by Umit Yalcim, Consul General of Turkey, to discuss business opportunities and ways to attract more Turkish companies to take advantage of investment opportunities available in Dubai and the neighbouring Gulf countries.

Dr. Al Zarouni briefed the delegation on the privileges and services provided by Dubai Airport Freezone, with over 1450 companies in various industries and commercial sectors.

“The Dubai Airport Freezone will spare no effort to provide all support for the Turkish companies that would be setting up a business in Dubai, especially in Dubai Airport Freezone which provides vital services and facilities to create a wholesome work environment and achieve the commercial goals of the companies,” Al Zarouni said.

He invited Turkish companies to benefit from the major markets that surround the region by encouraging Turkish companies to work from Dubai.

“We look forward to a genuine partnership with Turkish companies, which are known for quality products and competitive prices. I am sure this winning combination would make Turkish made goods a favourite in the region.”

“This visit aims to identify incentives, services and facilities provided by the Freezone to Turkish and other companies wishing to invest in Dubai,” said Mr. Caglar.

Mr. Caglar said Dubai has good infrastructure and the Freezone offers investors attractive services and facilities. “This is a key element in attracting investment to Dubai. We will promote this to the members of the Turkish chamber that comprises major organizations opting to invest in UAE.”  

Caglar said that Turkish companies could take advantage of the excellent location of the Freezone and its services & facilities for investors and multinational companies.

His Excellency Umit Yalcim, Consul General of Turkey, said the trade volume between UAE and Turkey was valued at AED 29 million in 2009.

“We are optimistic that by 2010 things will improve. There are already indications of positive developments. Last month the Turkish AKB bank was licensed at the DIFC and Turkbank was licensed in Kuwait as well.”

He added that apart from the high level trade delegation which visited the Dubai Airport Freezone, the Turkish Foreign Minister visited his counterpart in the UAE three weeks ago and a Turkish women’s delegation participated in the Arab Women’s Leadership Forum. Last week, the Turkish Prime Minister visited the UAE.

The envoy added that Turkey’s main exports to the UAE are steel, furniture, jewellery and food items while 8,000 Turkish expatriates are working in Dubai.

He also noted that UAE, particularly Dubai, is a fertile land for investment, which is clearly known to Turkish investors as many leading Turkish companies and banks have joined the growing number of investors in Dubai and GCC as a whole. “That means a deep relationship between the two countries and the wish to be present in the region which we seek to develop through encouraging Turkish companies to open an office in the UAE.”

During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with Interlink Business Services to attract Turkish companies to operate from Dubai and Dubai Airport Freezone.