Dispute between Jafza and firms over rent hike

A group of Jebel Ali Free Zone-based firms has dismissed a claim by the zone's authority that the decision on increasing rents by 43% pre-dated the directive of Dubai Crown Prince, which allowed a limit of 15% hike and contended that "the specific hike was probably the most expensive and highest in the world."

The group also warned that if the issue was not resolved amicably, it would send out wrong signals suggesting that Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (Jafza) is no longer customer-friendly, Khaleej Times reported.

This came following a Jafza statement clarifying that the rent hike was "not a recent move as published; and that it had been set and communicated to all companies in May 2005."