Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) has marked its 40th anniversary with record-breaking trade volumes of US$190 billion over the last 12 months — a 15% year-on-year increase.

DP World said this is Jafza's highest-ever contribution to Dubai's economy and 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, DP World-owned Jafza has attracted more than US$30 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) to Dubai and, alongside Jebel Ali Port.

[Source: DP World]

"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," Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, DP World Group chairman and chief executive officer, said.

Abdulla Bin Damithan, DP World GCC chief executive officer and managing director, noted that the Jebel Ali ecosystem has played a significant role. Its modern infrastructure and business-friendly policies have created a multimodal trade platform connecting over 3.5 billion consumers.

DP World said Jafza's success has become a template for its global expansion. The concept is now in place across 11 economic zones in Europe, India, Africa and the Americas, with three more in development. 

Jafza currently attracts nearly 75% of Dubai's FDI in manufacturing, trade, and transport as a hub for companies in electronics, automotive, pharmaceuticals, food, petrochemicals, and advanced manufacturing sectors.