Jafza's non-oil trade up 17% to $80.2 billion in 2016

Machinery, electronics and electrical goods accounted for 49 per cent of Jafza's total trade.

Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) has announced that its non-oil foreign trade increased by 17 per cent from 23.9 million to 27.9 million tonnes in 2016, worth $80.2 billion.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, said: "The value and volume of trade through Jafza underlines the strength of the national economy and its ability to adapt to global trading conditions, create investment opportunities and open up new markets to exports from the UAE."

He added: "Jebel Ali Port plays a pivotal role in enabling international trade. Companies operating in Jafza can import and re-export their goods to countries in the region. The Dubai Logistics Corridor connects Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport in one customs zone, reducing the time taken for movement of goods between sea and air transport modes and making the area the main transit gateway in the Middle East."

China has maintained its position as Jafza's largest trading partner, with $11.3 billion worth of trade during the year.

Saudi Arabia is Jafza's second largest trading partner with $7 billion, while Vietnam was third with $4.3 billion through the import of electronics and electrical appliances, followed by the United States with a trade volume of $3.7 billion.

Machinery, electronics and electrical goods accounted for 49 per cent of Jafza's total trade, with Jebel Ali Port's ability to handle heavy equipment playing a key role, coupled with high consumer demand in the sector. Petrochemicals, oil and gas sector had 16 per cent of total trade, followed by food and FMCG (eight per cent), textiles and garments (seven per cent), automotive and spare parts (six per cent).

Trade with the Asia Pacific region came to $32.4 billion, followed by the Middle East at $27.2 billion, the European continent ($9.9 billion), the Americas ($5.5 billion) and Africa ($5 billion).

- business@khaleejtimes.com