The Dubai Airport Free Zone’s expansion plans are on track with the six new buildings already completed, said a top  Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZ) official.

“Over the past 12 years, Dubai Airport Free Zone has grown into one of the most successful economic ventures in the Gulf region. The Free Zone is now home to more than 1,500 multinational companies with flexible operations processes that meet client’s demand,” Adel Ghafan, executive director of technical services department, DAFZ, explained.

To meet growing demand and broaden its base, Dubai Airport Free Zone has embarked on an expansion plan which began early last year.

“Our expansion plans consists of six new buildings which stretches over a total built up area of 228,000 sq m and leasable area of 100,000 sq m. The project started in early 2007 and is to be completed this year. This has taken us 22 months to complete,” Ghafan observed.

 Ghafan added that four of the six buildings are already completed and tenants have moved in while the fifth building has been leased with decoration works in process and its tenants are in the process of moving in within December 2008.

Ascon is the main contractor for the project with Al Gurg as the project consultant. The total cost for the West Wing 4, 5 and 6 buildings was Dh446 million. The other three buildings on the East Wing 4, 5 and 6 were built at a cost below that of the West wing, said Ghafan.

He said the six buildings could accommodate more than 900 tenants with each building expected to take in 150 companies depending on the size of area each company requires.

Ghafan said the next part of the expansion will be West Wing building “7” which will offer 32,000 sq m leasable area. The new buildings improved on the design of the old structures with each new building having a dedicated landscaped atrium, two-level basement and an excellent airport view.

Dubai Airport Free Zone boast of excellent cargo and logistics facilities and online services are proving to be a boon to a diversified clientele such as luxury automobiles, international cosmetics and perfume brands, pharmaceutical companies, jewellery and precious stones, IT and electronics companies and air charter businesses.

“Dubai is pro business and has forward looking vision and a well developed infrastructure that businesses need. These are the things that make investment in Dubai very attractive for a wide assortment of businesses targeting the Gulf and Middle East countries,” Ghafan noted.

The Dubai Airport Free Zone also has a one-stop-shop where investors can get all their documentation for licensing, registration and employee sponsorship done, even online. Another feature of the zone is that companies are allowed to operate 24-hours and provided round-the-clock security.

“Our location within the Dubai International Airport with 135 airlines flying to more than 210 destinations is indeed a boon for investors,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service