A top expert called upon members of the American National Association of Foreign Trade Zones (NAFTZ) to benefit largely from the services offered by the newly established World Free Zones Organization (World FZO).

Dr Mohammed Al Zarooni, chairperson of World FZO also stressed the need to further enhance collaboration and transformation of knowledge between the Free Zones spreading around the globe to ensure economic growth and increase job-opportunities.

Speaking during the NAFTZ 42nd  annual conference organised at Fort Worth-Texas with nearly 500 members of NAFTZ in attendance , Dr Zarooni said: “The world free zones have contributed great deal in the growth of  world economy with more than 35 per cent of the world trade is exported via Free Zones.

“No one can deny that the Free Zones’ services and solutions have become a critical tool for companies competing in the global economy.”

“The need for an international body to advocate Free Zones and establish standard collaboration between the thousands of free zones spreading over the world was an essential step,” he said.

This initiative emanating from the vision of Dubai’s leadership aims to bring all free zones under one umbrella to address common issues and exchange views, said a statement.

“There is a lot in the pipeline that, Dubai will offer to ensure the success of the organisation’s objectives,” he added.

“It is true that, we are just one step ahead in the mile –long   journey, but we are confident that we shall achieve the goal with the support of the world Free Zones experts sitting on Board of Directors and the support of your organisations as individual FTZ.

“As you might be aware, Dubai currently has more than 22 free zones that accommodate 20,000 companies and employee around 225,000 people.”

“These corporations operating in the Free Zones have successfully participated in a large number of projects in the region and have a great positive impact on the region’s economy.”

“The world FZO aims to partner with other trade organisations, such as world Customs organisation and world trade organisation to promote the advantages of the Free Zones.

Daniel Griswold, president, NAFTZ, said: “The National Association of Foreign Trade Zones is eager to work with other zones professionals around the world to strengthen the rule of law, encourage compliance with trade rules and establish global standards for best practices and governance in the monitoring of free zones.”

“With 80- year experience in administrating the US FTZ programme, we have much knowledge to share with our World FZO partners, as well as much we can learn from innovative practices abroad,” he added. - TradeArabia News Service